VICTORY
VICTORY
VICTORY
VICTORY
OVER HIV
We’re ending the HIV epidemic in Arizona.
The turning point in the HIV epidemic has arrived. Today we have more
knowledge and tools than ever before. Our people are a brilliant,
relentless fighting force. And we have an audacious plan.
VICTORY IS IN SIGHT
WE WILL END HIV IN ARIZONA BY 2021.
Our plan is a thoughtfully crafted, comprehensive five-year strategy
to win and win BIG. To wipe out HIV in Arizona. That’s right, total
annihilation – no mercy.
VICTORY
THROUGH
UNITY
UNDERSTAND.
It took two years to develop this action plan with input from hundreds of
Arizonans. You had things on your mind. We listened.
You told us how well HIV care and prevention was working in your
community and how it could work even better. We spoke with people
living happy and healthy lives with HIV thanks to the care and services
they receive.
774
p e o p le liv in g with H I V and hi gh- r i sk
n e g a tiv e in d iv id u a ls s h ar ed t hei r st or i es
Others talked about life issues that keep them from receiving and staying in
care. How fear, stigma and discrimination can lead to feeling helpless and
alone. Lack of housing. No transportation. Not enough food. Social injustice.
203
c o mmu n ity p a r tn e r s ta lk e d a bout t he successes
a n d s tr u g g le s o f of f er i ng ser vi ces
Staying HIV negative has its own challenges. Lack of HIV knowledge. Not
everyone is comfortable or safe talking about HIV with their partners.
Others have more pressing concerns they need to work through before
beginning to think about HIV prevention.
65
ne wly dia gn o s e d in d iv id u a ls b r a v e ly d is c u s s e d w hat put t hem at
ris k of c o n tr a c tin g HIV, a n d h o w th e y d e a lt wi t h t hei r di agnoses
1483
YOU HELPED US
H O U R S W E R E S P E N T D E V E LO P I N G O U R P L A N
The HIV Statewide Advisory Group and the Phoenix
EMA Ryan White Planning Council each exceed federal
mandates for representation of people living with HIV.
VICTORY OVER
COMPLACENCY
22%
of new HIV cases in Arizona were youth aged 13-24
1 in 8
people living with HIV are unaware of their infection
Source: AIDSvu.org
Let down our guards, we lose.
Why is it critical to act now? Between 2010 and 2015, Arizona’s population increased by 6%. During this
same time period, new HIV cases increased by 34% to more than 16,800. What caused this startling spike?
Advances in HIV medications and treatments have led to complacency – the public actually believes the
fight is over. This may be due to several factors. Less emphasis on HIV education in Arizona schools. Minimal
promotion of HIV services to our communities. Social networking putting more people, especially youth,
at greater risk of contracting HIV.
We must become nimble, innovative, and adaptable in the way we deliver HIV prevention and care services.
In 2015, more than 40 percent of Arizonans living with HIV
weren’t in medical care. For every person we can get in care
and virally suppressed, we avoid from 5 to 7 new diagnoses.
Defeating HIV will take focus, vigilance, a desire to care – for one’s self and for others. We have HIV on the
ropes. Now is not the time to let down our guards.
PATHS TO VICTORY
TESTED POSITIVE
LINKED TO HIV CARE
CREATING A TREATMENT PLAN
“I ’ m g o i ng t o be a t t h i s . ”
“Se t t i n g m y s e l f u p f o r s u c c e s s .”
TAKING HIV MEDS
VICTORY!
“ I’m beating this!”
“ I’m winning!”
RETAINED IN HIV CARE
“I have an amaz ing
t e a m fighting for me.”
OUT OF CARE
PROVIDER OUTREACH
RETAINED IN CARE
TAKING HIV MEDS
“ I’m wor king with
the best – my whole
team is awesome.”
“ We’r e cr ushing it!”
VICTORY!
“I ’ m no t re a d y, b u t I k n o w I ’m we l c o m e . ”
“ I did it! We did it!”
GETTING BACK IN CARE
“T h i n g s a re f a l l i n g b a c k i n t o p l ace. Let’s do this.”
Pr EP
“ One pill a day, ever y
day? No pr oblem.”
STAYING NEGATIVE
HIV TESTING
SCREENING FOR RISKS
PREVENTION OPTIONS
ROUTINE TESTING
VICTORY!
“I t e s t e d ne g a t i v e a n d
w a nt t o s t a y t h a t wa y. ”
“T h i n g s a re f a l l i n g b a c k
i n t o p l a c e . L e t ’s d o t h i s . ”
“Ho w can I stay
HI V negative?”
“ I gotta make cer tain,
but odds ar e in my favor.”
“ Winning is ever ything!”
TRADITIONAL OPTIONS
“ I can commit to this.”
V I CTOR Y !
“ Setting m y s e lf up for s uc c e s s .”
N o ma t t e r
t he pa t h,
t oge t he r w e
c a n s t op H I V.
VICTORY IN THE
TREATMENT IS PREVENTION
96
%
People who are HIV positive, taking their meds and virally suppressed (undetectable)
are 96% less likely to pass HIV to a partner.
0%
For HIV negative people, using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can reduce the risk of acquiring HIV.
Add consistent condom use, and the risk is nearly zero.
In 2017, Phoenix became the second largest US city to join
the UNAIDS Fast Track Cities Initiative, an international
commitment to end the worldwide HIV epidemic by 2030.
MAKING
No more barriers.
It’s going to take many small personal victories – and larger cultural changes – to defeat HIV.
Throughout the state, people voiced the need to remove barriers to care and promote personal
empowerment. We must also lead the charge to make quality HIV care available to all Arizonans
and combat social injustice.
Our plan is more than words. We’re not going to let it sit on a shelf and collect dust. We have
multiple strategies to attack these issues – head on.
We have mapped out a plan that is aligned with the national strategy and uses the HIV Care
Continuum and other tools to measure progress. To end the HIV epidemic in Arizona, we will:
• Reduce new infections
• Increase access to care and improve outcomes
• Reduce gaps and inequities in HIV care
• Achieve a more coordinated response
VICTORY
ON MULTIPLE FRONTS
Our winning strategy: Divide and Conquer.
During the development of this plan, one thing became quite clear: a one-size-fitsall approach wouldn’t work. Communities need tailored activities to achieve the
vision mapped out in our plan.
The state has been segmented into regions – Northern, Central and Southern. Each
has their own objectives, strategies and activities. All three regions are working to
achieve the goals outlined in the plan, but each will take a localized approach.
NORTHERN REGION
VICTORY OVER GREAT DISTANCES
Larger than some Midwest states, the Northern Region of Arizona is a land of
breathtaking beauty and distinct challenges. Made up of Mohave, Coconino,
Yavapai, Gila, Navajo and Apache counties, the Northern Region’s sparse
population creates transportation and stigma challenges for both prevention and
care of people living with HIV. The CDC identified Mohave County as 1 of 221
counties in the U.S. at risk for a HIV/Hepatitis outbreak.
FOCUS POPULATIONS
• White, Black and Latino Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), especially youth
• Latinos of all genders
• American Indians of all genders
• Injection drug users
PLAN FOR VICTORY
• Increase use of PrEP as a prevention method
• Increase HIV testing and diversify testing locations
• Shorten time between diagnosis and beginning HIV care
• Implement innovative service models for linkage to care/retention in care
• Increase collaboration among community organizations, especially behavioral health and substance abuse providers
CENTRAL REGION
SOUTHERN REGION
VICTORY OVER NUMBERS
VICTORY OVER CULTURAL DIFFERENCES
Arizona is not all canyons and vast deserts. The Central Region is made up of
Maricopa and Pinal counties with a population of about 4.5 million. It’s also home
to Phoenix, the state capital and sixth most populated city in the country. More
people means more of everything, including health issues. The Central Region
accounts for more than 70% of the state’s new HIV cases.
Of the Southern Region’s seven counties – Yuma, Pima, Santa Cruz, Cochise,
Graham, Greenlee and La Paz – four share a border with Mexico. Hispanics make
up a larger percentage of the region’s population especially in areas along the
international border. The Southern Region also is defined by Pima County with
Tucson, second largest city in the state and second highest prevalence of HIV.
FOCUS POPULATIONS
FOCUS POPULATIONS
• Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), especially youth and MSM of Color
• Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), especially youth and MSM of Color
• Latinos of all genders
• Latinos of all genders
• African Americans of all genders
• African Americans of all genders
• Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals
• Injection drug users
PLAN FOR VICTORY
PLAN FOR VICTORY
• Increase use of PrEP as a prevention method
• Increase use of PrEP as a prevention method
• Increase HIV testing and diversify testing locations
• Increase HIV testing and diversify testing locations
• Shorten time between diagnosis and beginning HIV care
• Provide community organizations with training on stigma reduction, cultural competency and client empowerment
• Provide community organizations with training on stigma reduction, cultural competency and client empowerment
• Launch social marketing initiatives taking advantage of new and traditional media
• Launch social marketing initiatives taking advantage of new and traditional media
• Re-energize community stakeholders and policymakers as advocates for HIV issues
• Streamline services by reducing forms and making improvements
• Provide quality housing for all people living with HIV
VICTORY
WILL BE OURS
ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC IN ARIZONA.
A path has been cleared. A plan is in place.
The battle will be won. By 2021, we will defeat the HIV epidemic in Arizona.
Learn more at hivaz.org/victory
#VictoryOverHIV
602.364.3599
Arizona HIV Statewide Advisory Group