1. More Funding, and Unrestricted Funding is Needed: Especially in communities where stigma may inhibit accurate information on risk and prevention.
- Guarantees of long-term funding to continue providing PrEP for free or low-cost remains a key need for CBOs serving affected communities
- CBOs need better access to unrestricted funds that will allow them to be flexible to the shifting needs of clients as a result of global public health crisis
- Increase financial support for minority-led, CBOs and AIDS service organizations that allow client- facing workers to earn a livable wage
2. Leverage lessons learned during the pandemic to Innovate and Advocate
- Accommodate clients to prioritize maintaining consistent care, including solutions for internet access or ability to attend in-person appointments (i.e. Sano devices or similar technology to connect clients with HCPs)
- Invest in establishing stable support systems for clients to better protect against unexpected and uncontrolled future events that may shake up the healthcare system
- Support is also needed for client-facing staff who put themselves at risk of COVID-19 while maintaining in-person services to PLWH and affected communities
3. Adopt a Differentiated and Person-Centered Service Approach
- Provide a variety of services in one location (for example, having an onsite medical care provider such as a Nurse Practitioner who can prescribe PrEP and ARTs) to serve clients conveniently and efficiently, rather than direct them to new locations for different services
- Mental health services accessible on-site would likely better meet the demand, especially for individuals who have never utilized mental healthcare providers and would feel more understood and supported at a place they trust
4. Comprehensive Public Health Messages could include COVID-19 Vaccination and PREP for Prevention
- The surge in public health information about COVID-19 can expand to help educate about preventing and treating other viruses including HIV
- Include target communities in both the development and dissemination of public health messages to strengthen trust and acceptance
5. Clear and Simple Messaging for Future Vaccine Rollouts
- Rather than focusing on a vaccine as being “new”, focus on how the technology has been utilized to reduce hesitancy and skepticism
- Leverage diversity of the community in message delivery; seeing doctors and leaders that resemble the full diversity of our community increases comfortability