HIV+Hep welcomes release of HIV national strategic plan

Washington DC… The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute applauds the release of the HIV National Strategic Plan: A Roadmap to End the Epidemic by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This national plan, which will run for the years 2021-2025, includes ambitious indicators and strategies to assist the nation in reaching the bold targets of decreasing new HIV infections 75 percent by 2025 and 90 percent by 2030. The plan acknowledges the scientific and implementation progress made across the nation in the last several years, including the advent of Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America (EHE).

“We are pleased that the final HIV plan has been released after community-wide input that bolsters our nation’s efforts to end the HIV epidemic in the U.S.,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. “The emphasis placed on priority populations such as youth, black and Latino gay men, transgender and black women, and drug users is especially welcome given the continued disproportionate impact on these populations. A focus on proven strategies such as PrEP and immediate access to antiretroviral treatments will bring us closer to meeting our collective goals.”

The HIV plan, a continuation of the blueprint originally released in 2010 and updated in 2015, will help guide agencies across the federal government to reach the bold targets. The strategy’s goals of reducing new infections, improving health outcomes, reducing disparities, and improving coordination all remain the same. While the core indicators remain very much the same, the targets are much more ambitious. One has been added regarding the uptake of PrEP, another on stigma, and others to address disparities stratified by priority populations.

“In order to fully implement the national plan and achieve its goals, we must ensure there is sufficient leadership and resources available across the federal government. We look forward to working with the incoming Biden administration and the 117th Congress to prioritize ending HIV.  It is reassuring to see an emphasis on the integration of efforts related to the syndemics of viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, substance use, and mental health along with a focus on stigma and discrimination and the social determinants of health. Individual agency implementation plans will be critical to actualizing the plan, and HIV+Hep is eager to begin that work alongside agency partners,” concluded Schmid.

In comments submitted on the draft HIV plan, HIV+Hep offered support to HHS for the plan’s goals, objectives, and strategies and provided several suggested improvements. We are pleased that the final plan provides further attention to the integration of HIV and hepatitis C and the need for affirming sexual education.