By:  Mavis Nimoh, MPA - Executive Director, Center for Health and Justice Transformation, Providence/Boston Center for AIDS Research-Community Engaged Research Council Member

In 2016, 51% of Rhode Islanders living with HIV were Black/African American and Hispanic/LatinX while 45% were white. In 2017, 47% of newly diagnosed Rhode Islanders with HIV were Black/African American and Hispanic/LatinX. Overall, the rate of HIV in the Black/ African American and Hispanic/LatinX populations is roughly 15 times that of non-Hispanic whites in Rhode Island.

Why the stark contrast?

Systemic disparities are created by many factors including institutional discrimination which excludes, displaces, and segregates causing unequal outcomes. Therefore, along the spectrum of the social determinants of health-education, income, housing, etc., unequal access to care, prevention, and treatment is a detrimental reality for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities (BIPOC) in Rhode Island and across the nation.

Furthermore, the consequences of unequal access to care compounded with systemic racism is seen most egregiously locally and nationally in our criminal justice system. However, Rhode Island’s Adult Correctional Institution has found ways to make inroads in the disparities to healthcare for individuals living with HIV. Coordinated efforts between medical services at the Adult Correctional Institute and our academic and medical institutions have created care linkages post-release which are key components to its success. This approach has benefitted communities of color and serves as a national model.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention created the national campaign, “Let’s Stop HIV Together” which promotes working collectively to stop HIV stigma as well as encourage HIV prevention, testing, and treatment in BIPOC communities. Advances in HIV testing and treatment have significantly improved life expectancy for individual living with HIV and AIDS, however there is still no cure. So, what action can we collectively take to support BIPOC communities today, this month, and every month to end the HIV epidemic? The Centers for Disease Control, Providence/Boston CFAR-CERC and the Center for Health and Justice Transformation suggests:

• Healthcare providers can:

• Routinely screen all patients. Screens should utilize inclusive language and methods.
• Provide HIV treatment as soon as possible after diagnosis.
• Prescribe PrEP using CDC’s guidelines.
• Health departments can:

 • Health departments can:

• Expand HIV testing to include testing at home and other nonclinical settings.
• Strengthen HIV care and peer support networks, particularly for BIPOC communities to improve HIV treatment.
• Increase PrEP usage in communities that need it the most.

 • Everyone can:

• Get tested for HIV, STDs, and hepatitis.
• Talk with healthcare providers about HIV prevention, including condoms and PrEP.
• Encourage friends and loved ones to stay healthy by taking medicine if they have HIV or are on PrEP.
• Support BIPOC communities by advocating for resources to combat HIV be leveraged in a way that considers the disparate impact of HIV.