Creative Responses to COVID-19
From our colleagues at TargetHIV, Creative Responses to COVID-19 highlights some of the approaches Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grantees are taking to respond to clinic changes and provider and patient needs during this unprecedented time of COVID-19. The blog post underlines three programmatic areas - policies and procedures, communication, and helping to fill basic needs like food and rent.
Oregon Reminders: Technology to Engage Rural Oregon Communities in HIV Care
In HIV prevention and care, rural communities are often left out of the mix. But the Oregon Health Authority, in partnership with the YTH (Youth Tech Health) Initiative at ETR, is engaging rural communities in taking charge of their HIV prevention and treatment via Oregon Reminders.
How one Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part F AIDS Education & Training Center (AETC) is Addressing Accessibility and 508 Compliance
Web developers and digital content creators know that website accessibility and 508 compliance is a critical requirement. Their websites and web materials must meet all the accessibility laws and regulations. To ensure equal access to information for all, including those with disabilities. Because the RWHAP AETCs facilitate the transfer of high-quality clinical HIV information to healthcare professionals, it is essential that content is developed with accessibility laws and standards in mind.
The Intersection of HIV and SUD: An Innovative Partnership to Educate and Support Two Critically Important Workforces
A network of federally funded training centers has existed since the early 1990’s to educate and build the capacity of clinicians and healthcare professionals to diagnose, treat and manage HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), substance use disorders (SUDs), mental health disorders and other social determinants of health, which impact access to quality care for vulnerable populations.
Curing Hepatitis C in People with HIV in the United States: A Federal, State and Local Collaboration
Hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection affects roughly 25% of people with HIV in the United States (U.S.).[i] To effectively combat this epidemic, ongoing provider education has been identified as a key initiative to enhance screening, diagnosis, linkage to care, and treatment of HCV.
Long-Acting Injectable ART: Cabotegravir + Rilpivirine
At CROI 2019, investigators presented 48-week results from the Phase 3 international multisite ATLAS and FLAIR studies of long-acting 2-drug injectable therapy. The study regimen consisted of the integrase inhibitor cabotegravir (CAB) plus the NNRTI rilpivirine (RPV), both given every 4 weeks as intramuscular (IM) injections.
PrEP: TDF/FTC vs TAF/FTC in MSM
TDF/FTC (Truvada) is the only ARV combination currently approved by the FDA for use as preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The multinational Phase 3 DISCOVER Study compared the efficacy and safety of TAF/FTC (Descovy) with TDF/FTC, in HIV-uninfected cisgender MSM and transgender women at high risk of sexually acquired HIV.
FDA Approves 2-Drug Combination of Dolutegravir + Lamivudine
In April 2019, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved a combination pill comprising the integrase inhibitor dolutegravir (DTG), 50 mg, and the NRTI lamivudine (3TC), 300 mg, for use as a complete ARV regimen for initial HIV treatment of patients. The approval specifies that DTG/3TC is intended only for adults 
who have never received ART and whose HIV has no resistance to either of the two components. It is to be taken once daily without food restrictions.
Immediate ART Initiation: Guide for Clinicians
Immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) refers to starting HIV treatment as soon as possible after the diagnosis of HIV infection, preferably on the first clinic visit (and even on the same day the HIV diagnosis is made). This strategy also is known as "rapid ART," "same-day ART," and "treatment upon diagnosis."
Rationale
Immediate ART initiation may bring earlier benefits in personal health, and earlier reductions in the risk of onward transmission of HIV. For persons with acute infection, immediate ART may limit the HIV viral reservoir.
Short Bites: The Association between Oral Hygiene and Heart Disease
The emergence of chronic disease complications in controlled HIV disease has changed the landscape of HIV clinical care. HIV infection confers an increased cardiovascular disease risk which is thought to be due to a complex interplay of mechanistic factors. While traditional cardiovascular risk factors likely play a role, recent evidence suggests that HIV-associated inflammation and immune activation are important mediators of cardiovascular risk.[i]