HHS awards $2.3 billion in grants to help Americans access HIV/AIDS care and medications

Today, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced nearly $2.3 billion in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grants awarded to cities, states, and local community-based organizations in fiscal year (FY) 2016. This funding supports a coordinated and comprehensive system of care that provides lifesaving HIV health care, support services, and essential medications to over half a million people living with HIV in the United States.

“The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program plays an instrumental role in the United States’ public health response to HIV,” said HHS Secretary Sylvia Burwell. “These grants will ensure that Americans living with HIV/AIDS will have lifesaving access to the care and treatment needed for optimal health outcomes.”

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) oversees the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which provides a cohesive system of care that includes primary medical care, drug assistance, education and training, and a number of other essential support services. The program reaches over 50 percent of people living with diagnosed HIV infection in the United States.

“The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is critical in improving clinical and public health outcomes by preserving health, extending life expectancy, and reducing HIV transmission,” said HRSA Acting Administrator Jim Macrae. “In 2014, more than 80 percent of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program clients who received HIV medical care were retained in care, and more than 81 percent of program clients who received HIV medical care were virally suppressed.”

Under Part A of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $627.8 million was awarded to 52 metropolitan areas to provide core medical and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. These grants were awarded to 24 eligible metropolitan areas and 28 transitional grant areas with the highest number of people living with HIV and AIDS or experiencing increases in HIV and AIDS cases and emerging care needs. For a list of the FY 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/fy-2016-ryan-white-part-a-grant-awards.

Under Part B of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $1.3 billion was awarded to 59 states and territories for core medical and support services and for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Additionally, 16 states received Emerging Community grants based on the number of AIDS cases over the most recent five-year period. Thirty-two states and territories were also awarded $10.4 million in Part B Minority AIDS Initiative grants. For a list of the FY 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part B award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/fy-2016-ryan-white-hivaids-program-part-b-grant-awards.

Under Part C Early Intervention Services (EIS) of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $186.6 million was awarded across the country to 346 local, community-based organizations to provide core medical and support services to people living with HIV. Additionally, 48 organizations were awarded approximately $4.3 million in Part C Capacity Development grants. For a list of the FY 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C EIS award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/awards/partceisfy16. For a list of the FY 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Capacity Development award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/awards/partcfy16.

Under Part D of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $66.6 million was awarded to 115 local community-based organizations across the country to provide family-centered comprehensive care for women, infants, children, and youth. For a list of the FY 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part D award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/awards/partdfy16.

Under Part F of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $68.3 million was awarded to support technical assistance, clinical training, oral health services, and the development of innovative models of care through several different programs. Approximately $9.3 million was awarded to 52 programs through the HIV/AIDS Dental Reimbursement Program and approximately $3.2 million in grants was awarded to 11 programs through the Community-Based Dental Partnership Program. For a list of the FY 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part F HIV/AIDS Dental Reimbursement Program award recipients and Community-Based Dental Partnership Program award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/awards/partffy16.

Also under Part F, the AIDS Education and Training Centers Program (AETC) awarded approximately $30.8 million through 16 grants and cooperative agreements to support education and training of health care professionals, which includes a network of 8 regional and 3 national centers. For a list of the FY 2016 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program AETC award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/awards/aetcfy16. In addition, $25 million was awarded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program under Part F, which supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative models of care delivery for hard-to-reach populations. For a list of current SPNS initiatives, visit here.

Grant awards in FY 2016 also support cities, states, and communities to achieve the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020 (NHAS 2020) . These include efforts to reduce new HIV infections, increase access to HIV care and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV infection, and reduce HIV-related disparities and health inequities. To align with the goals of NHAS 2020, HRSA awarded 6 cooperative agreements under the Secretary’s Minority AIDS Initiative Fund in FY 2016.

To learn more about the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, visit hab.hrsa.gov. For more information about HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, and research, visit HIV.gov.