Health Services
Events
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Development and Implementation of a Toolkit to Improve Access to Hepatitis C Treatment in a Community-Based Clinic Setting
A translational research project implemented at a Sacramento County sexual health center to reduce barriers to Hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment. To address elevated prevalence of Hepatitis C in the area, Sacramento County Public Health’s Sexual Health Clinic (SHC) opted to participate in a research project to develop and implement organizational supports and workflows to improve rates of HCV treatment for patients served in this setting.
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Development and Implementation of an Expedited HCV Treatment Program During Hospitalization
Expanded screening for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection aims to improve awareness of diagnosis, yet treatment uptake remains suboptimal due to structural, social, and individual-level barriers. People who use drugs face further challenges in accessing HCV treatment due to fragmented care, stigma, and limited support. Strategies to overcome these challenges are needed to improve health equity and achieve HCV elimination. We developed a quality improvement pilot project to integrate expedited DAA initiation, defined as prescribing of DAA during hospital admission.
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Expanding Treatment Access: Implementing a Pharmacist Led Hepatitis C Treatment Program through Collaborative Drug Therapy Management
The Department of Health and Human Services developed a National Strategic Plan to eliminate hepatitis C (HCV) as a public health threat by 2030. However, many barriers to accessing care remain. Pharmacists have increasingly played a role in the treatment of HCV and can support patients and care teams with navigating barriers at multiple steps along the care cascade. The Collaborative Drug Therapy Management (CDTM) model offers a strategy to leverage expertise of embedded pharmacists to improve HCV treatment access and outcomes.
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Michigan’s Approach to Eliminating Hepatitis C Through Telehealth
Michigan's hepatitis C (HCV) cases have been on the decline since 2022, due to several coordinated efforts including, eliminating Medicaid restrictions, partnering with a pharmaceutical company to offer low-cost direct acting-antivirals (DAA), to hiring an academic detailer to educate medical students and providers, to creating a hepatitis C disease intervention specialist (DIS) program to link individuals to care.
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Project GROWTH: A Culturally Responsive Workforce Development Program for Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Youth Experiencing Homelessness in Washington, DC.
This presentation will share key outcomes, implementation strategies, lessons learned, and future adaptations aimed at reducing barriers and promoting employment equity for TGNC youth. Us Helping Us is also exploring opportunities to expand the program and its impact.
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From Harm Reduction to Gender Joy: Advancing LGBTQ Health Equity Through Affirming Care for Transgender Youth
Using Oregon’s All-Payer All-Claims dataset (2016–2023), this analysis examines GAC utilization among transgender and gender-diverse adolescents, identifying disparities by insurance type, age, and sex assigned at birth—even within one of the nation’s most affirming policy environments. Quantitative findings are contextualized with lived experience: the journey of raising a ten-year-old transgender son, illustrating, through narrative and video excerpts, how timely, evidence-based, and affirming care fosters gender euphoria, confidence, safety, and family cohesion.
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Understanding Social Drivers of Health among People Living with HIV with Unsuppressed Viral Loads Visiting the Emergency Department
Despite the wide availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as an effective treatment option for HIV, a substantial portion of people with HIV (PWH) in the United States remain out of care or inconsistently take their medications, leading to an unsuppressed viral load despite diagnosis—a critical gap that undermines both individual health outcomes and public health objectives.
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Aging Adolescents and Young Adults with HIV: Navigating the Second Transition in HIV Care
Having previously reported on clinical outcomes of Adolescents and Young Adults with HIV (AYAHIV) in the Accessing Care Early (ACE) young adult transition program, we present an update, detailing the design and implementation of this multi-dimensional program, the innovations in biomedical and care delivery interventions, as well as programmatic challenges and opportunities as we evolve into a mature transition program. This workshop will use didactics and interactive presentation, case-study, transparent panel discussion and Q&A as participants engage with the ACE program’s multidisciplinary team, including an YAHIV who “came of age” in the program.
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HIV and Cognitive Decline: The Power of Partnership
As people living with HIV (PLWH) age, cognitive decline presents a growing yet underaddressed challenge. This presentation highlights an innovative collaboration between The Grand Rapids Red Project (TGRRP) and the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter (AAMC) to implement routine cognitive screenings within TGRRP’s HIV care programs. The initiative targets PLWH aged 44+ and those exhibiting overt cognitive impairment, aiming to bridge gaps in care complexity for aging populations.
In this presentation, AAMC will review national trends in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and statewide efforts to develop programming for aging PLWH through partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs). With AAMC’s support, TGRRP designed an HIV and aging pilot program featuring tailored screening tools, staff training, and referral pathways—offering replicable strategies for similar programs.
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HIV and Cognitive Decline: Understanding HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder
With advancements in HIV treatment, individuals living with HIV are now living longer, By 2030, 70% of people living with HIV (PLWH) will be ages 50 and older. But, as PLWH age they face unique challenges, particularly with cognitive health. One major concern is HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND), a form of cognitive decline more common among PLWH. This presentation will provide a brief overview of HIV care; the signs and risk factors for HAND; similarities and differences between HAND and Alzheimer's disease; and why accurately diagnosing cognitive change in PLWH is so important.
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Navigating HIV in Pregnancy: Clinical Scenarios and Guideline-Based Management for Infants and Pregnant People
This presentation will explore critical considerations in the management of HIV in the context of pregnancy, focusing on evidence-based practices and clinical guidelines. Divided into three clinically relevant scenarios, the session will address: (1) treatment and monitoring of HIV in pregnant individuals, (2) postnatal management of infants with in utero exposure to HIV, and (3) considerations for HIV-positive parents who plan to breastfeed. Each topic will be anchored by a clinical case, offering participants an opportunity to apply current guidelines. Emphasis will be placed on reducing risk of perinatal HIV transmission, optimizing maternal and infant outcomes, and navigating ethical and cultural factors in decision making. Attendees will leave with practical clinical pearls and an updated understanding of best practices in HIV care during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
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Leveraging Quality Improvement to Improve STI Outcomes
In recent years, sexually transmitted infections (STI) rates in the United States have risen dramatically, with more than 2.4 million STIs reported in the United States alone (CDC, 2024). STIs can have a profound impact on health, including infertility, neurological and cardiovascular disease, stillbirths, and increased risk of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). This growing epidemic demands urgent action to enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of STIs.
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Maximizing STI Prevention: Addressing Missed Opportunities for Testing in Contraceptive Care
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are a growing public health concern, particularly for women and girls, who experience disproportionately high rates and rising incidence. Barriers such as cost, transportation and geographic access, and appointment availability limit access to timely STI care. For those who do access family planning care, integrating STI testing into comprehensive visits can reduce the need for repeat appointments and improve health and wellbeing.
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No-Cost, High Impact: The Power of Free STI Clinics in Driving PrEP Usage
In 2023, in response to rising syphilis rates and persistent disparities in STI outcomes, we launched a free, community-based STI clinic to expand access to testing and treatment. Prior to this, our services were primarily focused on providing PrEP and HIV care to the LGBT population. In 2024 alone, the clinic served 871 patients—69% of whom identified as ethnic minorities, a population disproportionately impacted by barriers to healthcare access, including PrEP.
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Stigma-Free History Taking: A Herpes-Informed Model for Sexual Health Providers
Attendees will receive practical language tools and strategies for creating safer environments that promote disclosure and engagement, with a focus on empathy, choice, and validation. The session includes a live, interactive demonstration where providers will practice history-taking scenarios and receive real-time audience feedback on tone, language, and emotional safety.
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Improving HIV Treatment Adherence Through Long-Acting Injectables: A Comparative Study of Cabenuva and Oral ART at a Ryan White-Funded Clinic
This study highlights Cabenuva’s potential to reduce adherence gaps and improve outcomes in structurally marginalized populations. The findings support further implementation of long-acting regimens and may inform policies aimed at increasing treatment access and equity in HIV care.