Minority AIDS: Integration of HIV-related Mental Health and Primary Care

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The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS), is accepting applications for fiscal year (FY) 2018 Minority AIDS Initiative: Service Integration grant program. The purpose of this program is to integrate evidence-based, culturally competent mental and substance use disorder treatment with HIV primary care and prevention services. The population of focus is individuals with a serious mental illness (SMI) or co-occurring disorder (COD) living with or at risk for HIV and/or hepatitis in at-risk populations, including racial and ethnic minority communities. SAMHSA expects that this program will reduce the incidence of HIV and improve overall health outcomes for individuals with SMI or COD. While there has been an overall decline in new HIV infections in the U.S. from 2008-2014, racial and ethnic minority communities continue to experience disproportionate impacts of HIV. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports significantly higher rates for HIV among racial and ethnic minority communities compared to the general population . In addition, rates of HIV and other blood-borne infections have remained higher for individuals with a SMI throughout the epidemic . When untreated, mental disorders affect access to and maintenance in HIV care. A recent study demonstrates a lower rate of HIV testing in some public mental health settings, which serves as an indicator of unmet needs for this population . The MAI-SI program objectives align with the National HIV AIDS Strategy and the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan.

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