NEEMA Funded Projects by Topic Area – Cross-cutting

Despite advances in prevention and treatment, substantial challenges exist in reducing the incidence, morbidity, mortality, and health inequities associated with HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis, as well as negative adolescent mental and physical health outcomes. There are substantial data associating social and economic determinants with outcomes for these infections and conditions, but there have been limited analyses of the effects over time of social determinants of health (SDOH)-focused policies on these outcomes. In addition, many policies and laws that address SDOH are expected to have broader effects, and analyses would benefit from including more generalized health outcomes, such as years of life, quality-adjusted life-years (QALY) saved or lost, and economic analyses. This project will develop models that address gaps in assessments of the effects of policy interventions that address SDOH and unify existing estimates by translating into commensurable health and economic units, including QALYs and cost.

Despite advances in prevention and treatment, significant disparities exist in rates of HIV, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), tuberculosis (TB) and viral hepatitis in the United States. The root causes of these disparities are social determinants of health (e.g., pervasive stigma, lack of access to quality health care, housing insecurity, racism, and other forms of discrimination). The purpose of this project is to take the first step towards quantifying the potential benefits of addressing social determinants of health and reducing disparities. This project has two tracks: The track on HIV and gonorrhea builds on existing HIV model for assessing achievement the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative targets by estimating the potential benefits of infections averted, which can be achieved by closing the gaps in HIV and STI disparities among priority racial/ethnic minority populations as defined in the national strategic plans. The track on STIs, TB, and viral hepatitis will evaluate potential health and economic impacts of reducing health disparities in STIs, TB, and viral hepatitis as defined in the national strategic plans.

HIV, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and tuberculosis (TB) remain critical threats to the public’s health in the United States with millions of people estimated to be living with these infections – many of whom may be unaware of their infection – successful implementation of routine screening and linkage to care for HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs, and TB are critical to reach the greatest number of persons with undiagnosed infection and link them to care and treatment as effectively and efficiently as possible. This project aims to use mathematical modeling to explore the implementation of integrated screening to identify the most impactful and cost-effective routine screening interventions in clinical settings for HIV, viral hepatitis, STIs, and TB under a prescribed set of scenarios.