The HHS Office of Minority Health (OMH) launched a new HIV Challenge, which seeks innovative and effective approaches to increase the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medication and antiretroviral therapy (ART) among racial and ethnic minority individuals who are at increased risk for HIV or are people with HIV. The Challenge is a partnership with the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health (OASH) Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP) and is open to individuals and organizations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV, but an estimated 14 percent of them (1 in 7) do not know it and need testing. HIV can affect anyone regardless of sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender, age, or where they live. However, HIV-related stigma is one of many reasons PrEp and ART prevention and treatments are underutilized.
The HIV Challenge provides an opportunity for on-the-ground voices to develop novel approaches to address HIV-related stigma in ways that can be successfully implemented within their local communities.
The HIV Challenge will have three phases, each of which will be evaluated separately. Prizes will be awarded for each of the three phases. Challenge participants will compete for cash prizes for the design of a concept, development of an approach, and small-scale testing of their approach.
To learn more about the HIV Challenge, visit: www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/HIVChallenge.
Para información en español, visite: www.minorityhealth.hhs.gov/espanol/RetodelVIH.