LA County Board of Supervisors Must Act Now to Safeguard Decades of Progress in STI and HIV Prevention
LA County Board of Supervisors Must Act Now to Safeguard Decades of Progress in STI and HIV Prevention
Los Angeles, CA – Essential Access Health is calling on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to vote in favor of a motion introduced by Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Lindsey Horvath that would invest $25 million to support LA County’s public health system, including at least $5 million to help preserve critical HIV and STI prevention programs and services. The vote is scheduled to take place as soon as tomorrow, June 17.
The motion follows the CDC’s delay in releasing its Notice of Awards for HIV prevention funding — a delay that could jeopardize Essential Access Health’s 25-year partnership with the LA County Department of Public Health’s Division of HIV and STD Programs.
“The CDC’s delayed release of HIV prevention funding poses another disastrous blow to public health and safety, and the LA County Board of Supervisors must take immediate action to preserve essential HIV and STI prevention programs,” said Dr. Nomsa Khalfani, Co-CEO of Essential Access Health. “After a decade of rising infection rates, LA County is finally seeing rates decline — the result of sustained, collaborative work by community-based organizations. For 25 years, Essential Access Health has been a trusted partner of LA County. We call on the Board to demonstrate strong leadership and ensure these life-saving programs continue without disruption. Turning away now would endanger the communities hit hardest by HIV and STIs and reverse years of public health gains. LA County must stay the course.”
STI rates are unacceptably high in the United States and, if left undetected and untreated, can cause long-term health complications and challenges including infertility and chronic pain, increased risk of HIV infection and some types of cancer, and even lead to devastating outcomes like miscarriage and stillbirth. California continues to face high rates of HIV and STIs. Robust prevention programs are essential to avert avoidable infections, safeguard communities, and reduce long-term health care costs. The LA County Department of Public Health has projected that HIV diagnoses could rise by more than 40% annually if current prevention programs are not preserved.
Without immediate action by the Board of Supervisors, Essential Access Health will be unable to provide:
- Expedited Partner Therapy: Over 4,700 free doses of STI treatment medications were distributed to 69 health centers over the past two years.
- Clinical training + technical assistance: More than 440 health care professionals trained in STI prevention and care.
- Support for community-based organizations: Empowering local agencies to provide culturally responsive, trauma-informed care.
- Public awareness campaigns: Reaching millions through bus ads, dating apps, and social media with crucial sexual health information.
- Distribution of 100,000+ resources in two years: Including condoms, clinical tools, harm reduction supplies, and pregnancy prevention products.
Essential Access Health continues to advocate for the Governor and State Legislature to approve $75 million in ADAP (AIDS Drug Assistance Program) in the state’s FY 25-26 budget to sustain HIV and syndemic STI prevention services across California.