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Event Series: HIV Treatment Track

Community at the Core: Building Trust and Linkage to HIV/STI Care Among Marginalized Populations in the Memphis TGA

March 19 @ 4:00 pm5:30 pm EDT

In the Memphis Transitional Grant Area (TGA), structural inequities and stigma contribute to persistent disparities in HIV and STI outcomes, particularly among BIPOC, immigrants, people who inject drugs (PWID), and those experiencing homelessness. Friends For All (FFA), a Memphis-based nonprofit, has implemented a multi-access, community-driven strategy to expand HIV, HCV, and syphilis testing while enhancing linkage to care. Between October 2024 and April 2025, FFA tested over 850 individuals—86% BIPOC—through mobile units, community outreach, and consular partnerships. This resulted in 8 new HIV diagnoses (100% linked to care), 41 syphilis cases, 5 HCV positives, and 52 PrEP initiations. The success of this approach lies in culturally competent staffing, trusted community partnerships, and multiple service entry points—including mobile clinics, faith-based settings, and campus health centers. These strategies support syndemic-aware, patient-centered engagement that reduces stigma, facilitates early diagnosis, and improves health outcomes. This presentation explores replicable models of syndemic prevention in underserved Southern communities.

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