Funded by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Division of HIV and STD Programs, the Ending the HIV Epidemic (HIV.E) Project is implemented in partnership between LAC+USC Medical Center Foundation and the AMAAD Institute (AMAAD) to increase awareness of HIV prevention and treatment throughout LA County. The HIV.E Project supports the goals and strategies of the five-year federal initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic: A plan for America.
HIV.E Project Goals:
- Empowering community members to advance HIV-related projects aimed at accomplishing the primary HIV reduction goal within their respective communities, utilizing a community-led approach
- Increasing knowledge and awareness of HIV and HIV-related issues, including populations disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS
- Developing partnerships with organizations and businesses to support HIV prevention
- Reducing HIV stigma among LA County residents
- Innovate, develop, organize, and sustain efforts to address HIV prevention and care-related issues through collaboration with local stakeholders and community partners, community members
The HIV.E Project focuses on four key pillars to end the HIV epidemic: (1) Diagnose people as early as possible, (2) Treat people rapidly and effectively, (3) Prevent new HIV transmissions, and (4) Respond quickly to HIV outbreaks. Work in each of the four pillars is spearheaded by 10 cohorts that are working together to engage hard-to-reach communities in LA County: 1) Black MSM, 2) Latinx MSM, 3) Transgender, Gender Non-conforming, and Intersex, 4) Women of Color, 5) East LA, 6) South LA, 7) Long Beach, 8) Antelope Valley, 9) Youth (13-18 years old), and 10) Young Adults (19-29 years old).
Through an online survey and virtual focus group, the HIV.E Project evaluation examines group function within each cohort, and changes in leadership, organizing, and advocacy skills as a result of participation as a cohort member. As the evaluation team, CHER also works closely with each cohort and provides technical assistance in the areas of instrument development and consultation on data collection methodology.