Prior authorization requirements have been considered a successful cost containment strategy for health insurance companies. However, previous research indicates that such requirements have negative impacts on medication access and patient adherence. California Senate Bill 159 is a current proposal to prohibit health plans and insurers from requiring prior authorization and step therapy requirements for Pre-exposure […]
On March 22, 2019, the California HIV/AIDS Policy Research Centers (CHPRC) convened a group of stakeholders representing public health, community-based organizations and academic sectors to discuss a data-driven approach to Los Angeles County’s plan for Getting to Zero. Leading experts presented a modeling study undertaken by investigators from University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and […]
Increasing access to HIV pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP/PEP) is a high priority to achieve the goals of the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative. Broadening the scope of practice to allow pharmacists to be more involved in the delivery of PrEP/PEP may generate greater access, particularly in communities where physicians and other primary care providers […]
A summary of California laws related to HIV/AIDS, intended to provide an overview of the current state of the law as of March 2019. This summary covers the state of the law on topics such as HIV testing and linkages to care, privacy and confidentiality, criminalization, discrimination, needle and syringe exchange programs, and comprehensive sex […]
From 2010 to 2016, disparities have increased in terms of overall rates of new HIV diagnoses among California’s Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). In 2010, Latino and White MSM had fairly similar HIV rates — 17.3 new MSM cases per 100,000 White males and 20.2 per 100,000 Latino males. By 2016, rates […]
More people living with HIV (PLWH) now have their medical care covered by Medi-Cal thanks to the program’s expansion. Although the change is welcomed, it also has created challenges for those who need mental health or substance use services. In research recently published in Health Affairs, the Northern California HIV Policy Research Center found that […]
Recent trends suggest that declines in California’s adult tobacco use rates have stalled in the last few years, which has serious implications for reversing the substantial progress made in California to reduce tobacco-related diseases. Sexual and gender minorities (SGM) are more likely to use tobacco compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers. Compared to their heterosexual, […]
The 340B Drug Pricing Program allows safety net health care entities to access discounts on medications they provide, and to use the savings to invest in expanded programs and services. This study characterizes current use of the 340B Program by health care entities that serve people living with HIV and vulnerable to HIV in California, […]
Access to health care is a growing concern for immigrants living in the U.S. This brief report describes how immigrants may be deterred from seeking health care services, and how this may affect the continuity of HIV care and prevention. The report also features recommendations for HIV care providers who serve immigrant communities.
Transgender men and others on the transmasculine spectrum have been largely excluded from HIV prevention research, policy, and practice. The Transmasculine Sexual Health and Reproductive Justice Research Study was part of a community-based participatory research project that engaged diverse transmasculine people and their healthcare providers to better understand their health needs, concerns, and priorities, including […]
