The New York State Response: Case Management for Persons Living with HIV and AIDS

Abstract Background COVID-19 infection amongst persons living with HIV (PLWH) at Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers (FQHC) is not yet well understood. FQHC patients are frequently impoverished and marginalized due to socioeconomic instability and structural inequities. The virus has a wide-ranging clinical presentation, and little is known about how it affects specific populations such as PLWH and whether specific patterns of immunocompromise confer increased risk. Patients in community health centers and those living with HIV are often underrepresented from clinical trials. Patients seen at FQHC’s are more likely to be uninsured or living in poverty, or of Black or Latinx racial and ethnic backgrounds. Sun River Health is a not-for-profit, New York State licensed Article 28 Diagnostic & Treatment Center and FQHC. Sun River Health provides HIV primary care and supportive services caring for more than 2,500 PLWH primarily concentrated in 16 sites throughout the region. This study is a retrospective analysis of a vulnerable community at the heart of this pandemic. Methods We gathered COVID-19 diagnosis related data from the clinic’s electronic medical record and the New York State Health Information Exchange (HIE). We did chart reviews on 122 PLWH who had positive COVID PCR or antibody test between March 10 2020 and June 10 2020. Data collected included presence of symptoms, presence of comorbidities, CD4 counts, Hospitalization rate, ICU admission, and number of deaths. Results 71.3% of cases occurred between the ages of 40-69 years. There were 85 cases (69.7%) in men and 37 cases (30.3%) in women. 54 cases (44.3%) occurred in African Americans, and 46 cases (37.7%) in Caucasians. 48 cases (39.3%) occurred in Latinx individuals, and 68 cases (55.7%) in Non-Hispanics. 91 cases (74.6%) were symptomatic and had either a positive COVID-19 PCR or antibody test. Symptomatic COVID-19 was present at higher rates in those with multiple predisposing comorbidities. 101 cases (82.8%) were virally suppressed. 89 cases (72.9%) were not hospitalized while 27 cases (22.1%) were hospitalized. Conclusion Most PLWH with COVID-19 were managed on an outpatient basis. PLWH with COVID-19 are not at a greater risk of severe disease or death as compared to HIV negative patients. Disclosures Christine A. Kerr, MD, Galileo Health (Employee, Shareholder)

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Ending the HIV Epidemic: New York’s Quest to Become the First State to Reduce HIV Prevalence

Public Health Reports ◽

10.1177/0033354920917403 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 135 (1_suppl) ◽

pp. 65S-74S

Author(s):

Johanne E. Morne ◽

James M. Tesoriero ◽

Erika G. Martin ◽

Guthrie S. Birkhead ◽

David R. Holtgrave ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Service Providers ◽

New York State ◽

Hiv Prevalence ◽

Hiv Treatment ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

York State ◽

Key Stakeholders ◽

Persons Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv

In 2014, New York State became the first jurisdiction to launch a statewide initiative to end AIDS by reducing the number of persons living with HIV for the first time since effective HIV treatment became available. The Ending the Epidemic (ETE) initiative encompasses (1) identifying and linking undiagnosed persons with HIV to care, (2) retaining persons with HIV in care, and (3) facilitating access to preexposure prophylaxis for persons at risk for acquiring HIV. We used a framework for public health program implementation to describe key characteristics of the ETE initiative, present progress toward 13 ETE target metrics, and identify areas in need of increased programming. We provide evidence suggesting that New York State is on track to end AIDS as an epidemic by the end of 2020. As of 2017, 76% of progress toward our primary ETE target had been achieved. Substantial progress on several additional metrics critical to decreasing HIV prevalence and to improving the health of persons living with HIV had also been achieved. Lessons learned included the following: (1) ETE-based programming should be tailored to each jurisdiction’s unique political and social climate, HIV epidemiology, fiscal resources, and network of HIV service providers; (2) key stakeholders should be involved in developing ETE metrics and setting targets; (3) performance-based measurement and timely communication to key stakeholders in real time are essential; and (4) examining trends in HIV prevention and care metrics is important for developing realistic ETE timelines.

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