Health equity: Improve HIV awareness and access to testing 

May 02, 2024

Health Equity is on the agenda in benefit strategy meetings across the country. Based on Mercer’s research, about 60% of employers are doing something to address health equity, with most efforts focused on ensuring members can identify culturally competent providers and identifying gaps in care based on gender, race or sexual orientation. That’s a good start, but the real work comes down to developing and implementing targeted programs for specific needs that will truly make a difference in people’s lives. 

Driven largely by medical advancements, the federal government has a bold vision to end HIV in the US by 2030 and has called on the private sector to step up efforts to accelerate the country’s progress toward that goal. Because HIV has a disproportionate impact on Black, Latino, and LGBTQ+ communities, it is a perfect match for focused health equity efforts. 

Your first question may be how to decide if this initiative is right for your company and your population. There are two places to start. First, take a look at your specialty pharmacy list. Chances are you will find several HIV prevention or treatment drugs on your top 10 specialty drug list. If you do not know how to tell, ask your pharmacy vendor partner for help.  Secondly, your geographic locations are also a great indicator. Check out the AIDSVu map created by Emory University with CDC data showing the rates of persons living with HIV. See if you have people in the areas with the highest incidence rates. There are additional maps within the site that will help you better understand the geographic reach of epidemic. 

The good news is that resources exist to help employers do this work. Business Action to End HIV is a coalition that has already developed tools for employers. 

In general, a good place to start is by building awareness and improving access to HIV testing, prevention, treatment and care. The Health Action Alliance is hosting a virtual workshop on May 16 that will provide the information and tools you need to make an impact on National HIV Testing Day (June 27th). You can leverage National HIV Testing Day to educate employees about HIV, normalize testing, and foster a workplace culture of inclusion and understanding for those impacted by HIV. 

If you need a business case to convince you to take action, HIV treatment medication costs over two times the preventive medication costs per year.  

HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was. Thanks to continuing medical advances, HIV can be controlled like other chronic health conditions and people with HIV can live full, healthy lives. And prevention medications (called PrEP) offer people highly effective protection from HIV – if they know about it and can get it. Those receiving treatment and whose viral load is suppressed to undetectable levels cannot transmit HIV to their partners. This year, take the opportunity change lives for the better — put “eliminate HIV” on your health equity agenda.