As World AIDS Day approaches, state health officials are focusing on END HIV MN, Minnesota’s comprehensive long-term plan to end new HIV infections and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV, according to a press release.

The plan involves addressing social and structural barriers to HIV treatment, care and prevention through five goals:

• Preventing new HIV infections.

• Reducing HIV-related health disparities and promoting health equity.

• Increasing retention in care for people living with HIV.

• Ensuring stable housing for people living with HIV and those at highest risk for infection.

• Achieving a more coordinated statewide response to HIV.

The Minnesota Department of Human Services and Minnesota Department of Health publicly introduced END HIV MN earlier this year. Staff from DHS and MDH, who make up the END HIV MN implementation team, have been hosting community meetings throughout the state. These meetings will continue through the end of the year.

“It’s going to take every one of us to end the epidemic,” said Christine Jones, manager of STD/HIV/TB programs at MDH. “That’s why it is so important for us to go out and have these conversations locally. END HIV MN calls for meaningfully involving communities most affected by HIV and allowing their voices to inform our statewide response to HIV.”

As part of their efforts, Jones urges people to attend a World AIDS Day event, learn more about the END HIV MN plan and take the END HIV MN  stakeholder input survey to help the implementation team better understand the activities and efforts happening in communities and identify opportunities for future work.

“We have never been more optimistic about ending the epidemic in Minnesota,” said Mariah Wilberg, END HIV MN strategy coordinator at DHS. “Putting END HIV MN into action will make a real difference in reducing stigma, preventing new infections and helping all people living with HIV in Minnesota live long and healthy lives.”

The number of new HIV diagnoses in Minnesota has remained relatively stable, with 286 cases reported in 2018, the release stated. However, significant disparities remain. Men who have sex with men continue to have higher rates of HIV, and more than half of all new HIV cases in 2018 were among communities of color. Additionally, more than one-third of new HIV cases were under 30 years old, and HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs has continued to increase.

MDH recommends everyone between ages 13 and 64 be tested for HIV at least once. If you do not know the HIV status of your sex partners or if you share injection equipment, you should get tested at least yearly. To find a testing place near you go to the MDH website.