The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has allocated nearly $35 million in grant funding to provide essential behavioral health services and HIV prevention and care to historically underserved populations. The funding, awarded through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), aims to address the disparities in access to healthcare faced by these communities.
According to the press release, the grants have been divided into three major awards. The first award, the Minority AIDS Initiative: Substance Use Disorder Treatment, has been allocated $21.9 million. This program aims to engage racial and ethnic medically underserved individuals, especially those with substance use disorders or co-occurring conditions, who are at risk or already have HIV. The program will address substance use disorder, HIV, and viral hepatitis holistically.
The second award, the Minority AIDS Initiative: Substance Use and HIV Prevention Navigator Program, has a budget of $10.5 million. This program focuses on substance use and HIV prevention among racial and ethnic minorities, particularly the LGBTQI community, who are in unstable housing or live in areas with high rates of infections.
The third award, the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund: Integrated Behavioral Health and HIV Care for Unsheltered Populations Pilot Project, is funded with $1.9 million. This pilot program will deliver comprehensive healthcare, specifically focusing on behavioral health and HIV treatment and prevention, to racially and ethnically underserved populations facing homelessness.
Miriam E. Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D., HHS Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use, and SAMHSA leader, highlighted the importance of these funds, stating, "These specific funds will help support programs that bring special emphasis to those who have historically not had equitable access to behavioral health care and infectious disease services."
HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra emphasized the administration's commitment to addressing healthcare disparities, stating, "The dedicated work of these awardees ensures our best efforts are thoughtfully and strategically implemented where they are most needed."
The grants align with the goals of the National Drug Control Strategy and the National HIV AIDS Strategy. They aim to facilitate nationwide treatment, recovery support, and harm reduction efforts, ultimately improving access to behavioral health services and HIV prevention and care for underserved populations.
