Federal Cuts Threaten HIV Prevention Efforts in Minneapolis: Nonprofits Raise Alarm

Adrianne Jackson, 39, regularly gets tested for HIV after witnessing a family member contract the virus.

That’s what made it possible for me to understand how it’s contracted and where to get tested, Jackson said.

Thanks to an HIV prevention clinic put on by the Aliveness Project and the Indigenous Peoples Task Force at the American Indian Center on Thursday, Jackson was able to get her test for free.But free clinics like these are in jeopardy after the Trump management has threatened to cut $700 million in funding for HIV prevention from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The move would affect hundreds of clinics and organizations nationwide.

If they did that it’d be a horrible decision, said Jackson. Events like this make it possible for people who don’t know where to get tested to get help.

The federal cuts come as two othre Minnesota nonprofits, Rainbow Health and the African American AIDS Task Force, closed last year, in part due to state funding cuts.The Aliveness Project took over case management for many of those clients.The south Minneapolis nonprofit has worked for 40 years to help people living wiht HIV through case management, food and housing support, free testing and low-cost medications.

The increased caseload coincided with boosts in funding that more than doubled the organization’s budget compared to last year. Among those new funds was a $2 million grant from the city of Minneapolis initially meant for Rainbow Health that was transferred to The Aliveness Project via a vote by the council in July following the former’s closure.

The organization also received more funding from the Minnesota Department of Human Services — which remains thier biggest funding source — to grow their case management and introduce benefits counseling to help clients navigate their insurance. The new funding also paid for six new programs,which included a direct financial assistance program and their AIDSLine information and referral help line,which was previously offered by Rainbow Health.of the $15.5 million the Aliveness Project receives, nearly $700,000 a year comes from the CDC, paying for the bulk of the organization’s HIV prevention work, such as the free clinics, said Dylan Boyer, director of growth.

Our prevention work,and this includes our harm reduction program,costs about $1.1 million, he said. Any cuts from the CDC would entirely disrupt our entire prevention program.

That work, which includes providing medication and free HIV tests to clients, is a cost-effective way to help slow the spread of HIV, said development manager sonya Bieza.

It’s just such a slap in the face, she said. A lifetime of medical costs for a person living with HIV can be in excess of $500,000 — who has $500,000?

Minnesota has close to 10,000 people living with a HIV diagnosis,according to the state Department of Health. The state estimates another 1,100 Minnesotans have HIV but are unaware of their status.

A report released by the agency last year showed 324 new infections statewide in 2023, which was a 24% increase from 2022 and the highest increase in more than a decade.

New HIV cases disproportionately affect communities of color, with 66% of new cases being nonwhite patients. Men who have same-sex sexual relations and people who use intravenous drugs are much more at risk of contracting the virus.

The HIV prevention and care team with the Indigenous People’s Task Force is in the fourth year of a five-year contract with the CDC that pays the organization $441,000 per year. Calvin Hylton, the team’s HIV program manager, said the funding allows them to target their HIV prevention efforts and resources on Native American adults who use intravenous drugs.

The loss of funding for that last year would be devastating, and derail the progress they’ve made over the last four years, Hylton said.

Our program tests on average over 700 people each year for HIV and connects people living with HIV to critical resources to decrease their viral load, he said. Our piece of that effort would be completely disrupted and put our community in jeopardy and at risk for another HIV outbreak.

At Thursday’s clinic, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the federal funding cuts aren’t just hitting public health programs. He cited a letter from the Trump administration weeks ago threatening to cut all federal funding to the city.

We’re talking about $70 million, Frey said. This is money for things like emergency management, this is money that supports our bomb squad … this is money for affordable housing and shelters and health care for our communities.

Another letter came the next day rescinding many, but not all, of the proposed cuts, which the mayor said illustrates what state and local agencies are contending with.We’re all kind of left scratching our heads about what in the world is going on, he said. The decisions that are coming down are neither wise nor smart, and they certainly aren’t done in the best interest of the communities that we all are charged with serving and keeping safe and healthy.

Bieza said she has heard from people who come into their clinic that they’re scared of losing access to the services available at the Aliveness Project. But, she said, despite the uncertainty, the clinic will remain open.

We want people to know we’re still here, we’re still open and we’re going to figure this out, she said. We’re just leaning on our community more than ever.

what strategies can community leaders and the public utilize to effectively advocate for increased funding and support for HIV prevention initiatives?

HIV Prevention Under Threat: An Interview with Dr. Evelyn Reed

Archyde News recently sat down with Dr. Evelyn Reed, a leading infectious disease specialist, to discuss the critical issue of HIV prevention funding in light of potential federal cuts. Dr. Reed brings years of experience in public health and has witnessed firsthand the impact of these resources.

The Importance of Consistent HIV Testing

Archyde: Dr. Reed, thank you for joining us. The story of Adrianne Jackson, who gets regularly tested after a family member contracted HIV, highlights the necessity for accessible testing. What’s your outlook on the importance of regular testing, especially in vulnerable communities?

Dr.Reed: thank you for having me. Regular testing is a cornerstone of HIV prevention. Early detection allows for prompt treatment, helping individuals live long, healthy lives and drastically reducing the risk of transmission. It’s especially crucial for communities disproportionately affected by the virus,such as people of color and those who use intravenous drugs.

Impact of Funding Cuts on HIV Prevention

Archyde: The article mentions a potential $700 million cut in funding for HIV prevention from the CDC.What impact would that have on your work and the broader community?

Dr. Reed: The impact would be devastating. These funds support essential services like free testing clinics, case management, and harm reduction programs.Cutting such a significant amount could lead to clinic closures, reduced access to care, and, ultimately, an increase in new HIV infections. We’ve already seen how the closure of Minnesota non-profits has further increased the caseload of others such as the Aliveness Project. This is a direct consequence of reduced funding.

Community Impact

Archyde: The Aliveness Project is providing a valuable service to the community through free clinics.In your opinion how critically important is this community outreach?

Dr. Reed: The clinics are vital. They remove barriers to access,particularly for those who may not have insurance or face other challenges.these events offer a secure, reliable, and nonjudgmental situation for them, such as adrianne Jackson.It’s a cost-effective way to make a difference and offers a solution for a lifelong diagnosis by working for the community.

Moving Forward

Archyde: Despite the uncertainty, organizations like the Aliveness Project are determined to continue their work.What steps can be taken to ensure continued progress in HIV prevention amid financial challenges?

Dr. Reed: We must advocate for the allocation of resources from federal, state, and local levels. We need to explore option funding models, such as partnerships with private sector organizations, while reinforcing the existing models. More education is also key.We also need to increase awareness and destigmatize HIV to encourage testing and support those living with the virus.This is were organizations like the Indigenous Peoples Task Force play a critical role. What are your thoughts on how to best engage the public and community leaders in advocating for stronger HIV prevention initiatives?

Archyde: Dr. Reed, thank you for sharing your expertise and insights on this critically important topic. this issue merits serious attention from policymakers and the public alike.