American journal of preventive medicine
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In January 2019, the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health detected increased HIV diagnoses among people who inject drugs in Cabell County. Responding to HIV clusters and outbreaks is 1 of the 4 pillars of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative and requires activities from the Diagnose, Treat, and Prevent pillars. This article describes the design and implementation of a comprehensive response, featuring interventions from all pillars. ⋯ Evidence of rapid transmission in this outbreak galvanized robust collaboration among federal, state, and local partners, leading to critical improvements in HIV prevention and care services. HIV outbreak response requires increased coordination and creativity to improve service delivery to people affected by rapid HIV transmission.
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Although sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) consumption is associated with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) participation, no national studies have examined the interplay between these programs. This study compares children's sugar-sweetened beverage consumption across households enrolled in one, both, or neither program. ⋯ Household WIC participation-whether jointly with SNAP or alone-may confer protection against SSB consumption. Unlike SNAP, WIC, by design, provides participating households with more information and opportunities to access and consume healthier diets. Understanding how SNAP and WIC interact can help policymakers improve the design and nutritional benefit of the U.S. food safety net.
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The Southeast U.S. and Georgia in particular are disproportionally affected by HIV. A major barrier in Georgia to meeting the goals of Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S is lack of proximity to HIV care. To address this and other barriers, Georgia implemented a comprehensive HIV telehealth system, including telemedicine to provide remote care through clients' local medical homes. In addition, a telementoring program (Project Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) was initiated to strengthen the HIV provider workforce in Georgia. ⋯ In Georgia, HIV telehealth has been successful at bridging gaps in patient care and in training local providers to offer comprehensive HIV care. Continuing challenges include integration of electronic health records with the telehealth platform, privacy and data security, equitable reimbursement, and lack of digital devices and Internet service access among some rural patients.