NR 586 Week 7 Discussion: Analyzing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy

Describe one health policy related to an identified health risk or disparity

One key health policy addressing a major health risk in the United States is the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). Initially launched in 2010 and later updated in 2015 and 2021, this strategy provides a unified national response to the ongoing HIV epidemic. The NHAS emphasizes reducing new HIV infections, expanding access to care, and enhancing the overall well-being of individuals living with HIV/AIDS.

A central component of the NHAS is its focus on populations disproportionately impacted by HIV, such as racial and ethnic minorities, men who have sex with men (MSM), transgender individuals, and people living in high-prevalence areas. The strategy promotes prevention through education, testing, and treatment initiatives while simultaneously addressing social determinants of health—such as poverty, stigma, and unequal healthcare access—that exacerbate disparities in HIV outcomes.

By integrating both medical interventions and social support mechanisms, the NHAS serves as a comprehensive framework designed to lessen the overall burden of HIV and promote health equity across vulnerable populations.

Summarize the intended impact of the policy on the risk or disparity

The primary objective of the NHAS is to reduce new HIV infections and mitigate disparities in health outcomes among communities most affected by the epidemic. The policy seeks to:

• Lower HIV incidence rates through widespread testing, early diagnosis, and treatment as prevention (TasP).

• Improve the quality of life for people living with HIV by ensuring consistent access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), enhancing retention in care, and achieving viral suppression.

• Address systemic barriers—including stigma, discrimination, and unequal healthcare access—that perpetuate disparities in outcomes.

By emphasizing early diagnosis and continuous treatment adherence, the NHAS aims to decrease transmission rates, extend life expectancy, and reduce health inequities between minority and majority populations.

Examine the policy within the context of a national population health initiative and determine the degree to which the policy is congruent with that national population health goal and/or objective

The NHAS is highly aligned with the goals of Healthy People 2030, a national initiative focused on improving population health and achieving health equity. Healthy People 2030 includes several HIV-related objectives that correspond closely with the goals of NHAS, such as:

• Decreasing the number of new HIV infections.

• Increasing the proportion of people living with HIV who are aware of their status.

• Ensuring timely linkage to HIV medical care (within one month of diagnosis).

• Reducing disparities in HIV incidence among key populations.

Both NHAS and Healthy People 2030 share a commitment to eliminating health disparities and advancing equity. NHAS reinforces these objectives through culturally competent care, improved health literacy, and targeted interventions for populations facing systemic healthcare barriers. Consequently, the NHAS not only supports but also operationalizes national population health goals aimed at achieving equitable HIV outcomes.

Table 1

Congruence of NHAS with Healthy People 2030 Objectives

Propose one strategy to address the health risk or disparity

An effective approach to enhance the NHAS and further reduce HIV disparities is to expand access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). PrEP is a preventive medication proven to significantly lower the risk of HIV transmission among high-risk populations. However, its use remains limited in vulnerable groups due to economic, cultural, and systemic barriers.

A comprehensive expansion strategy should include the following components:

• Education and outreach programs tailored to high-risk populations to increase awareness and reduce stigma surrounding PrEP use.

• Policy reforms to improve affordability, such as Medicaid expansion and price negotiations, ensuring access for uninsured and underinsured individuals.

• Integration of PrEP into primary care and community health services to normalize its use and minimize stigma.

• Training for healthcare providers to enhance their ability to prescribe PrEP confidently and counsel patients effectively.

Expanding PrEP access can significantly strengthen HIV prevention efforts, lower new infection rates, and advance NHAS’s overarching goal of eliminating health disparities related to HIV.

References

Office of National AIDS Policy. (2015). National HIV/AIDS strategy for the United States: Updated to 2020. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://files.hiv.gov/s3fs-public/nhas-update.pdf

Office of National AIDS Policy. (2021). National HIV/AIDS strategy (2022–2025): A roadmap to end the epidemic in the United States. U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. https://hivgov-prod-v3.s3.amazonaws.com/s3fs-public/2021-12/NHAS-2022-2025.pdf

NR 586 Week 6 Collaboration NR 586 Week 7 Discussion: Analyzing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Guidelines for NP Practice

Smith, J. A., & Johnson, B. M. (2020). Health policy responses to HIV/AIDS disparities: A comparative analysis of national strategies. Journal of Public Health Policy, 41(3), 320–335. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-020-00231-4