HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Related Services for Young Gay Men and Young Men who have Sex with Men with a Focus on Communities of Color
Funding supports programs that provide a comprehensive range of HIV/STD/HCV prevention interventions and related services to young gay men and young men who have sex with men (YMSM) with a focus on communities of color. The priority populations for these programs are HIV positive and high risk young gay men and YMSM ages 13-29. The overall goals are to:- Prevent new HIV/STD/HCV infections;
- Increase HIV/STD/HCV testing and screening services;
- Increase the number of Young Gay Men and YMSM who know their HIV/STD/HCV status;
- Identify HIV/STD/HCV infected individuals and ensure access to early, high quality medical care and prevention services;
- Increase access to comprehensive sexual health information;
- Facilitate access to prevention services including PrEP linkage and support services; and
- Facilitate access to essential supportive services.
HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Related Services for Young People through the Use of Youth Health Advocates
Funding supports the training and utilization of a diverse group of 6-10 Youth Health Advocates (YHAs) to enhance the delivery of services to young people living with HIV/AIDS and young people who are at highest risk for HIV/STD/HCV. YHAs are young people between the ages of 13-24 with demographics similar to the target population(s) who are engaging in, or have previously engaged in, behaviors that place them at high risk of HIV/STD/HCV infection. The role of YHAs is to actively engage with young people living with HIV/AIDS and/or young people who are at highest risk for HIV/STD/HCV infection to encourage them to seek treatment, care, and prevention services. The overall goals are to:- Actively engage young people and increase their access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health information;
- Prevent new HIV/STD/HCV infections;
- Increase HIV/STD/HCV testing and screening services;
- Increase the number of young people who know their HIV/STD/HCV status;
- Identify individuals infected with HIV, STDs, and/or HCV, and ensure their access to early, high quality care and prevention services;
- Facilitate access to prevention services; and
- Facilitate access to essential supportive services.
For more on efforts in this area by the New York State Department of Health, visit HIV/STD/HCV Prevention and Related Services.