title
Adopt and present a resolution recognizing December 1, 2020 as World AIDS Day in Solano County (Chairwoman Hannigan)
body
Published Notice Required? Yes ___ No _X _
Public Hearing Required? Yes ___ No _X _
DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION:
The Department of Health and Social Services (H&SS) recommends that the Board adopt and present a resolution recognizing December 1, 2020 as World AIDS Day in Solano County.
SUMMARY:
The joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS has declared December 1, 2020 as World AIDS Day, representing an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against HIV/AIDS, show their support for people living with HIV/AIDS and commemorate those who have lost their battle with HIV/AIDS. This year’s theme is “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”. This resolution recognizes that all residents of Solano County can take steps towards ending the global epidemic of HIV/AIDS.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The cost associated with preparing the agenda item is nominal and absorbed by the Department’s FY2020/21 Adopted Budget. The costs associated with the preparation and purchase of resolution materials are included in the Board’s FY2020/21 Adopted Budget. There is no additional impact to the County General Fund.
DISCUSSION:
December 1st is recognized annually across the world as World AIDS Day by the joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). The purpose of World AIDS Day is to acknowledge the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS, celebrate the lives of millions of people who have lost their battle with HIV/AIDS, raise awareness about the global impact of HIV/AIDS, and applaud the advancements that are allowing more people to live longer and healthier lives. The theme of World AIDS Day 2020 is “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility”. UNAIDS recognizes that the decline in new HIV infections among adults has stalled. An estimated 1.7 million adults have become infected with HIV every year for at least the past five years. HIV prevention efforts must be evaluated and improved to help identify HIV-positive individuals early, link them to medical care and supportive services, and decrease the spread of HIV in the community.
Solano County’s H&SS HIV Prevention Program, the local lead program for HIV/AIDS prevention and HIV testing activities that occur in the County, recognizes that the spread of HIV/AIDS can be controlled through education; PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) access; HIV testing that identifies infected individuals and links them to care; and access to healthcare services and treatment for those already infected. In support of the UNAIDS theme, “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility,” a number of local initiatives will commence. The HIV Prevention Program, in partnership with the California Department of Public Health, is launching a home rapid HIV testing initiative where people can get tested in the comfort of their homes while being provided educational HIV prevention resources remotely in accordance with COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. This new testing capability will allow for the continuation of the year-round confidential, free HIV testing offered through an on-demand testing program. Clients can call or text to make an appointment to pick up a free, rapid, and confidential HIV test. In addition, the program is partnering with Community Medical Centers to provide opt-out HIV testing: patients are informed that an HIV test will be conducted unless they explicitly decline to be tested during a medical visit. These new testing procedures will facilitate the identification of persons living with HIV who are unaware of their infection. This is a critically important public health objective that will be beneficial and lifesaving for many Solano County residents.
H&SS estimates that the HIV Prevention Program will use these two programs to screen 16,000 high-risk individuals and their partners for HIV infection.
ALTERNATIVES:
The Board could choose not to adopt this resolution recognizing December 1, 2020 as World AIDS Day. This is not recommended because it may discourage County residents from getting tested and knowing their HIV status.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
H&SS would like to recognize the work of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ) Alliance, Community Medical Centers, Solano Pride Center, Mercury Pharmacy, and the Solano AIDS Coalition for partnering with the County for World AIDS Day activities.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
APPROVE DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION