Gov. Cuomo's Key Milestones Toward Ending AIDS in NY by 2020

Last week, New York State Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that New York State is on track to End the AIDS Epidemic (EtE) and reduce the number of new HIV infections from 3,000 per year to fewer than 750 by the end of 2020, according to the latest data released by the New York State Department of Health. The number of New Yorkers living with HIV at detectable levels decreased by 10 percent between 2013 and 2014, and, as a result, two-thirds (66 percent) of New Yorkers living with HIV now have virus levels that are undetectable. During this same time period, the number of new HIV infections has fallen to fewer than 2,500 -- a record low.�
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"These figures are very encouraging because it means that the coalition's work toward our collective goal of ending the epidemic in New York is starting to be realized. To bring the number of new HIV infections to fewer than 2,500 is a major accomplishment in our prevention efforts," said GMHC CEO Kelsey Louie. "Seeing more people who are living with HIV reach undetectable levels means we are both reaching the optimal health outcome for people living with the virus, as well as making it nearly impossible to transmit the virus. Today's news is a great start, but we must continue pushing for better outcomes if we want to reach our goal."

People with low viral loads, or virally suppressed, are less likely to transmit HIV to others, which not only saves lives but helps to prevent the high long-term cost associated with new cases of HIV -- an estimated half-million dollars in lifetime savings per case.
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"New York State is leading the fight against HIV and AIDS, and these results display extraordinary progress toward our overall goal of ending the epidemic," Governor Cuomo said in a statement. "We are working toward making New York, once the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic, a place where new infections are rare and those living with the disease can enjoy a full, normal and healthy life."
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"It's heartening to know that our hard work and the advocacy advanced by Governor Cuomo to End the Epidemic in New York by 2020 is getting results, and we applaud his leadership and vision," echoed Doug Wirth, President and CEO of Amida Care, who served on the Governor's EtE Task Force. "To keep the momentum going, we need continued investment of resources to expand focused services that will help us cross the finish line and end AIDS as an epidemic in New York. We can serve as a model for the nation. People living with HIV need access not only to clinicians and medications but to stable housing and employment that enables them to stay in care, become virally suppressed, and get about the business of living."

Amida Care has experienced impressive results firsthand -- through their coordinated care model, they have achieved a 75 percent viral suppression rate among HIV-positive members.

To end the AIDS epidemic, more work must be done to reach young men having sex with men (MSM) of color and transgender women, who are at greater risk of HIV infection. More on-the-ground outreach is essential to help them learn about pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which has been shown to be more than 90 percent effective in preventing HIV infection and is a critical element of the EtE Blueprint goals.

Data from 2014 show an increase of 6,000 persons whose virus was no longer detectable, from 71,000 in 2013 to 77,000 in 2014. This comes at the same time that recent estimates place the number of new infections in 2014 at 2,481 from a previous estimate of 3,000.

These newly calculated 2014 estimates using the most sophisticated methodologies available shows New York State is that much closer to achieving the goal of 750 new infections annually. The number of new infections has fallen 42 percent from nearly 4,300 in 2007. In that same period, the HIV incidence rate has fallen 44 percent and is now at 14.8 per 100,000 from 26.5 per 100,000 in 2007.

"We are thrilled that the 2014 data confirms that we are on track to achieve the Governor's plan to end AIDS as an epidemic in New York State by 2020," said co-chair of the Ending the Epidemic Task Force and Housing Works, Inc. President and CEO Charles King. "Even before the Ending the Epidemic Blueprint was developed, enough shifts in strategy had been implemented to avert some 500 new infections and to significantly increase rates of viral suppression among people who are living with HIV. Now that key recommendations of the Blueprint have been implemented under the Governor's leadership we are looking forward to even more dramatic advances in the coming years."

To help advance the governor's initiative, the New York State Department of Health is increasing funds for its PrEP initiative by $2.3 million, which will be awarded to an additional 12 providers throughout the State. An additional $1.7 million will be awarded to six other providers to expand HIV services for adolescents and family-centered care. Funds will be used by providers to furnish PrEP services to more people at risk for HIV; prevention, linkage and retention in HIV care for young adults; and care targeted to families dealing with HIV.

The funds are part of the $20 million in funding for the Governor's Ending the Epidemic initiative and were allocated in 2015 and 2016. The three-pronged plan includes identifying persons with HIV; linking them to care and treatment to achieve viral suppression and prevent further transmission; and expanding access to PrEP services.

The Ending the Epidemic funding that was awarded in 2015 supports more than 90 contracts with service providers. This number was almost doubled with the new Ending the Epidemic funding awarded in 2016, for a total of 185 contracts supporting Ending the Epidemic initiatives.

"Increasing the number of people with HIV whose virus is no longer detectable is a major accomplishment in our efforts to end the AIDS epidemic," said New York State Commissioner of Health Dr. Howard Zucker. "It means we are reducing the spread of disease and can look forward to the day when HIV/AIDS is no longer a threat to the health of New Yorkers."