Author: Kailee Curtis

Local Health Department

HIV/AIDS Programs

Local health departments are key partners in the fight against transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the resulting Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). No cure exists for HIV, but with proper medical care, HIV can be controlled. Therefore, prevention of HIV transmission, identification of new cases, and proper treatment of current patients are critical public health activities.

Key Positions
Public Health Nurses
Prevention Specialist/Counselor
Laboratory Technicians
Program Coordinators
Public Health Physicians

In 2016, there were over 700 new diagnoses of HIV in Michigan.
Over 15,600 Michigan residents currently live with HIV.

Meets Public Health Standards:

ü	Michigan Public Health Code
ü	Michigan Local Public Health Accreditation
	Public Health Accreditation Board

Services:
Local health departments conduct a variety of HIV/AIDS-related activities, which are usually centered around the goals of prevention, screening, and treatment. Examples of services include HIV testing for individuals, linking individuals who test positive for HIV to medical care, helping individuals remain HIV negative through education and prevention practices, and working with partners who may be at risk for HIV. Local health departments may also analyze local data in order to understand trends in transmission and utilization of HIV services.
If a local health department is unable to offer HIV testing or treatment, then it must be able to refer individuals to outside agencies which offer those services.

Impact:
In 2016, 81% of Michigan residents living with HIV were linked to care for their HIV diagnosis.

Created by the Barry-Eaton District Health Department for the Michigan Association of Local Public Health with funding from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. August 2018.
*41 out of 45 of Michigan’s local public health departments participated in the survey at least partially. Participants might not have answered each question.

Michigan Local Health Departments Directly Providing HIV Services
(n = 41 Local Health Departments*)

Screening

39

Prevention and control

37

Treatment

8

0

10

20

30

40

50

Number of Local Health Departments

Goals:
HIV/AIDS prevention, screening, and treatment programs conducted by local health departments:
Prevent transmission of HIV and decrease the number of new HIV infections
Work to suppress the overall viral load of communities at risk
Educate health care providers and communities
Link patients to treatment and other resources
Improve the lives of Michigan residents, especially those living with HIV/AIDS