During the State of the Union Address, the President reported that the HIV epidemic in the United States would be eliminated within 10 years. For the first time ever, we have evidence-based tools in HIV treatment and prevention that are so effective, we can end the epidemic. By focusing on the biomedical, social, and psychological models, we can eliminate new HIV infections, eliminate HIV related deaths, and eliminate HIV related stigma. The HIV Prevention Program and the Ryan White Program are guided by the principles of public health and social equity. They are driven by the mission to promote health and reduce both both impact and incidence of HIV/AIDS by working in partnership with other agencies and diverse community groups. Together we can get to zero – Zero New Infections, Zero New Deaths, Zero HIV Related Stigma.
HIV in Nevada
Currently, Nevada ranks 18th in the nation for the number of individuals diagnosed with HIV. In addition, Nevada’s HIV profile is unique in that HIV infections span all age groups. Youth between the age of 13 to 24 account for 16% of new HIV diagnoses and the burden of new diagnoses is highest among those between the age of 25 to 34 (40%).
There are people living with HIV in all 17 counties in Nevada. Clark County has the highest rate of new HIV diagnoses (20.0 per 100,000 population) and the highest rate of people living with HIV and AIDS (460.1 per 100,000 people). Washoe County, the next populous county in Nevada, has the second highest rate of new HIV diagnoses (7.3 per 100,000 people) and rate of persons living with HIV and AIDS (282.6 per 100,000 people).
Males continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV, as the transmission rates are highest among men who have sex with men (MSM). The number of newly diagnosed persons and category of transmission can be found below.
| Transmission Category | Person Living with HIV, 2017 | New Diagnoses 2017 |
| MSM | 7,579 | 311 |
| Injection Drug Usage (IDU) | 839 | 25 |
| MSM & IDU | 744 | 29 |
| Heterosexual | 1,365 | 27 |
The Nevada Office of Public Health Informatics and Epidemiology (OPHIE) monitors the HIV/AIDS epidemic and provides further data for prevention and care efforts. Please see the following links if you are interested in more statistics for State of Nevada and the United States:
Initiatives
Multiple agencies and community groups throughout the state of Nevada,have come together to offer different initiatives with the goal of reducing the number of new HIV infections. These initiatives include: PrEP Academic Detailing, Harm Reduction Programs, ad Substance Abuse HIV Testing.
PrEP Academic Detailing
The Nevada Department of Public and Behavioral health, in conjunction with local health departments are implementing an academic detailing project to increase the availability of, and access to, HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) clinical services throughout the state. Academic Detailing (AD) is an innovative 1- on – 1 outreach education technique that helps clinicians provide evidence-based care to their patients. Using an accurate, up-to-date synthesis of the best clinical evidence in an engaging format, academic detailers ignite clinician behavior change, which ultimately improves patient health. A list of PrEP providers in Nevada can be found here.
Harm Reduction Programs
- Change Point– Change Point is a program of Northern Nevada HOPES and is Nevada’s first legal syringe services program. Change Point provides syringe services, testing an outreach services, and community building services. Change Point embraces diversity and advocates for medically underserved groups in the community.
- Trac B Exchange– Harm Reduction Center – Las Vegas is focused on ensuring the health of everyone in Southern Nevada. Trac-B Exchange is the storefront site committed to providing consultation to the community for infectious disease prevention and harm reduction surrounding syringe use and disposal. Trac-b Impact Exchange currently has 3 harm reduction vending machines in Las Vegas. These vending machines are the first and only of their kind in the United States. Anyone 18+ with some form of ID can come into Trac-B Exchange (6114 West Charleston Blvd, 89146) and sign up for a vending machine card, or at any of the 3 locations:
- Huntridge Family Clinic: 1830 East Sahara Avenue, 89104
- The Gay & Lesbian Community Center: 401 S Maryland Parkway, 89101
- Center for Behavioral Health: 3050 E Desert Inn Road #116, 89121
Substance Abuse HIV Testing
The Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Agency (SAPTA) HIV Testing Program assists SAPTA State-certified residential and/or transitional treatment facilities in offering rapid HIV testing at treatment locations. This supports the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) by reducing HIV incidence, increasing access to care and optimizing health outcomes, and reducing HIV-related health disparities. It also supports Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) initiative to expand early intervention services for HIV by funding certified residential and/or transitional treatment facilities to offer rapid HIV testing (including confirmatory and diagnostic testing), HIV risk reduction education, linkages to care, and other ancillary services.
Integrated Prevention and Care Plan
An update on the Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Plan is available every year and can be accessed at Integrated Plan. 2018 Accomplishments and future needs can be found here.
Your role!
Are you interested in helping Nevada Get To Zero, but not sure how to do that? There are plenty of opportunities to get involved. Please see opportunities below:
