[HIV-STD-Prevention] #u# World AIDS Day - End HIV Oregon Annual Report

[Pearson Shelley M]

Dear Partners,

On this day, World AIDS Day (see attached proclamation) we remember the lives of people who have died from an HIV-related illness. We support those who live with HIV, and those who are disproportionately exposed to HIV infection. We recommit to our shared responsibility and work in solidarity with each other, our communities, our nation, and our global neighbors to end the HIV pandemic. We also acknowledge all those who came before us, fighting for justice and equity over the past 40 years.

The HIV/VH/STI Integrated Planning Group (IPG) was formed in 2011, bringing together two independent prevention and care planning bodies, with one shared vision of a future where there are no new infections and everyone living with HIV is healthy. The IPG developed Oregon's first integrated comprehensive plan, the foundation of the End HIV Oregon<https://www.endhivoregon.org/> initiative that launched on World AIDS Day 2016. Since then, the Oregon Health Authority releases an Annual Report [English<https://static1.squarespace.com/static/581d04a2f5e231b25f875be2/t/61a66afdd242fc24c9b5d469/1638296324006/OHA_EndHIVOregon_2021_ProgressReport+FINAL_English.pdf>][Spanish<https://static1.squarespace.com/static/581d04a2f5e231b25f875be2/t/61a6ad85829f5f05ea0e2af8/1638313358596/OHA_EndHIVOregon_2021_ProgressReport+FINAL_Spanish.pdf>] on World AIDS Day to highlight our progress towards our shared goals. This year, we are also releasing a new Dashboard<https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/oregon.health.authority.public.health.divison/viz/EndHIVOregon/EndHIVORHome> that will help us monitor key metrics towards ending HIV transmission in our state.


Increasing Testing:  Testing is easy, but only 41.5% of adult Oregonians have ever been tested for HIV. The options for HIV testing are increasing, with tests available in medical settings, community settings, and even at home, through the One at Home, mail-order self-testing program.

Expanding Prevention: Prevention works, and there are more tools in our prevention toolbox than ever before. PrEP, the pill that prevents HIV, is now covered by most insurance plans, and can be prescribed by the more than 350 medical providers on the Oregon PrEP Directory or by pharmacists. Oregon continues to support new and traditional prevention strategies, including mail-order condoms and syringe exchange sites that assist community members in accessing services to stay healthy.

Ensuring Treatment: Treatment saves lives, and people living with HIV who have an undetectable viral load cannot transmit HIV to their sex partners (Undetectable=Untransmittable, U=U). The CAREAssist Program expanded eligibility this year to ensure that more people living with HIV have access to life-saving medicines. The Early Intervention Services & Outreach Program (EISO) is successfully linking people newly diagnosed with HIV to medical treatment, and supportive services, like housing, ensure that people can stay on treatment and maintain their health.
Ending Disparities: Not all Oregonians are benefiting equally from available resources. Funded community partnerships ensure that resources reach communities facing inequities, and that services are designed and led by communities. In 2021, the Oregon Legislature declared racism a public health crisis, formally codifying the need to lead with race and re-envision how public health services are delivered.

Thank you for your ongoing partnership and dedication to ending new HIV infections in the State of Oregon. The End HIV Oregon initiative is for and about everybody. It is because of you that we are seeing progress towards our collective goals.

We have a vision. Imagine an Oregon where ... we end new HIV infections. We eliminate health disparities. Everyone with HIV is healthy. Can you imagine it? The time is now.

Annick Benson-Scott
Pronouns: she/her/hers
HIV/STD/TB Section Manager
OREGON HEALTH AUTHORITY
Public Health Division
Desk: 971-673-0142
Cell: 971-255-7092
Hours: M-F 7:00 am - 3:30 pm
http://www.oregon.gov/OHA

[cid:image001.png at 01D7E53A.C80BCF40]<https://www.endhivoregon.org/>







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