Presentations and discussion from a distinguished panel:
Introduction
Chrissy Abrahms Woodland, MBA, Director, Division of Metropolitan HIV/AIDS Programs, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration (Moderator). Ms Abrahms Woodland emphasized the long history of the RWHAP's commitment to health equity in her opening remarks
The Social Setting of HIV Disease in the U.S. (07:12)
Mindy Fullilove MD, LFAPA, Hon AIA, Social Psychiatrist, Professor of Urban Policy and Health, The New School
Dr. Fullilove reviewed the roots of health inequity in terms of people and places and the impact of disease disparities as defined by both economic status and racism. She outlined six strategies for building a healthier society.
Public Health Planning Approach to Address Health Equity during CoVID-19 (27:20)
Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, MD, MPH, Director of Health, City of St. Louis
Dr. Davis discussed the impact of COVID-19 on RWHAP service delivery, presenting disparities data by race/ethnicity for COVID-19 cases and HIV testing rates. She also reviewed the Fast Track work of St. Louis in making under the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative, including building a more robust data 'dashboard' to identify inequities and needed priorities;development of rapid ART;expansion of HIV testing including self-testing;harm reduction;PrEP expansion, use of social media to reach clients;and improving linkages to care. Dr. Davis concluded with a recommendation to engage in 'disruptive innovation' to make improvements in service delivery.
Remarks on Getting to Health Equity (42:10)
Dazon Dixon Diallo, Founder & President, SisterLove
Ms. Dixon Diallo framed her remarks on working to achieve health equity at the community level around the challenging experiences of her colleague, who is a person of transgender experience and her struggles to access HIV services. She also reviewed social determinants of health and intersectionality, their impact on inequities, and summarized various possible solutions, while urging us to 'be comfortable with being uncomfortable' to accomplish the work.
Striving for Health Equity: Using ECHO as a Tool at a Community Health Center (56:22)
Marwan Haddad, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Center for Key Populations for Community Health Center, Inc.
Dr. Haddad discussed how Project (Weitzman) ECHO was used in his agency to address health equity for people with HIV and the elements of their health equity model (e.g., staff training, patient-centered care). Their Center for Key Populations includes expert faculty training of staff. Project ECHO work has expanded to 17 states. Haddad presented detailed data on the impact of ECHO on low- and high-volume HIV practices and its benefits in reducing care barriers.
Questions and Discussion (1:07:46)