Me Cuido, Te Cuido Learning Network

In April 2020, Familias en Acción (Familias) created its HIV/ STI Sexual Health Program. The program is part of Oregon Health Authority’s END HIV Oregon strategy. In Oregon, HIV cases have increased in urban, rural and frontier areas across the state (see the “Why HIV prevention” section below to see the stats).

The increase in new infections in our communities can be attributed, in part, to the complexity of this issue. Acknowledging this complexity points our efforts to a range of interconnected tactics, each equally critical to eliminating HIV in Oregon’s Latiné populations. For example, we must consider: the influence of socio economic factors; stalled prevention efforts and the need to increase accessibility to prevention, screening, and treatment; how behavior influences risk; stigma and its implications; and how community leadership can be developed.

We know we can’t end HIV alone. Community participation is essential in formulating a more effective strategy to combat HIV in Oregon and long-term community engagement is critical to sustaining the involvement of communities in the design and delivery of the strategy.

Do you have questions or want to see how you can participate?
Contact Ayla Rosen: ayla@familiasenaccion.org

Although testing is low, new HIV diagnoses are high among Latiné people in Oregon, particularly males. Here are some current statistics:

Although 12.7% of Oregon’s population is Latiné, 24.6% of HIV cases diagnosed between 2018-2022 were Latiné – in other words, 1 in 4 people diagnosed with HIV in recent years were Latiné.
Rates of new HIV diagnosis among Latiné people increased by more than 50% in 2022 compared to the previous 3 years.
Increases of HIV diagnosis among Latiné people increased in urban, rural, and frontier areas of Oregon – with the largest increases in rural and frontier areas.
Rates of new HIV diagnosis are more than 10 times higher among Latiné males than Latiné females.

PrEP, taken as a daily pill or periodic injection, is 99% effective in preventing HIV transmission. People living with HIV, who take HIV medication and reach undetectable viral loads have zero chance of transmitting HIV to their sex partners (this is called U=U or Undetectable = Untransmittable). The Oregon Health Plan and most health insurance plans cover these medicines to prevent and treat HIV; the Healthier Oregon Program provides coverage to many people living in Oregon who do not have documentation. Programs like CAREAssist and HIV case management help people in all Oregon communities start and stay on medications, so they can live longer, healthier lives.

Community-based messages and programs, delivered by people and agencies trusted by Latiné community members, are urgently needed. We can end new HIV transmissions in Oregon!

This session will be facilitated in English with Spanish interpretation available — all are welcome!

OUR FAVORITE RESOURCES

To support our learning journey, we are focused on eliminating gaps in service utilization by connecting people to resources for prevention, care, and treatment. Explore this list of excellent resources:

Familias en Acción is committed to continue to provide opportunities for shared learning around HIV prevention. We invite individuals and organizations in Oregon to participate and share ideas for doing this work collectively.

Stay tuned to learn of upcoming learning events and opportunities to stay engaged.

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