The impacts of collaboration and partnerships between clinical and non-clinical organizations in managing HIV/AIDS care.
Abstract
Background: As of 2021, there were 36,136 new HIV diagnoses in the United States with the South having the highest number of people living with HIV. Georgia has the highest rates of new cases with 26.2 per 100,000 and is considered the number one in the country for new infections. In 2021, North Central Georgia in Macon (District 5-2) had a total of 2,435 living with HIV with 128 new cases. It has been shown that a multidisciplinary team improves clinical outcomes among HIV patients. One of the main outcomes in HIV management is achieving “viral suppression” which refers to the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who have less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. The current average percentage for the state of Georgia is 87% with the state goal for FY 2023-2024 is 90%. By integrating care through clinical and non-clinical partnerships, the viral suppression in Macon, Georgia had shown significant improvement.
Methods: Using monthly collected data from December 2021 to December 2023, focusing on the viral suppression rate, presented as a time series and reporting in a narrative presentation on the multiple interventions that were implemented.
Results: The total number of clients currently registered at the Hope Center is 1297. Viral suppression from 12/31/2021 was about 84% and increased up to 88%. During this time, we have had multiple collaborations with different partners.
Conclusion: Building relationships with clinical and non-clinical organizations has shown to improve viral load suppression and contribute to promote an impactful strategy in managing HIV care.
Keywords
HIV, AIDS, Social Determinants, viral suppression, epidemic
The impacts of collaboration and partnerships between clinical and non-clinical organizations in managing HIV/AIDS care.
Background: As of 2021, there were 36,136 new HIV diagnoses in the United States with the South having the highest number of people living with HIV. Georgia has the highest rates of new cases with 26.2 per 100,000 and is considered the number one in the country for new infections. In 2021, North Central Georgia in Macon (District 5-2) had a total of 2,435 living with HIV with 128 new cases. It has been shown that a multidisciplinary team improves clinical outcomes among HIV patients. One of the main outcomes in HIV management is achieving “viral suppression” which refers to the percentage of people with diagnosed HIV who have less than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood. The current average percentage for the state of Georgia is 87% with the state goal for FY 2023-2024 is 90%. By integrating care through clinical and non-clinical partnerships, the viral suppression in Macon, Georgia had shown significant improvement.
Methods: Using monthly collected data from December 2021 to December 2023, focusing on the viral suppression rate, presented as a time series and reporting in a narrative presentation on the multiple interventions that were implemented.
Results: The total number of clients currently registered at the Hope Center is 1297. Viral suppression from 12/31/2021 was about 84% and increased up to 88%. During this time, we have had multiple collaborations with different partners.
Conclusion: Building relationships with clinical and non-clinical organizations has shown to improve viral load suppression and contribute to promote an impactful strategy in managing HIV care.
