San Francisco Sun

The San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) has released its 2023 HIV Epidemiology Annual Report, revealing a decline in new HIV diagnoses in the city. In 2023, there were 133 new HIV diagnoses, marking a 20% decrease from the previous year’s 167 diagnoses. Since 2014, new HIV diagnoses in San Francisco have dropped by 59%, compared to a national decline of only 3% over the past decade.

Notably, the report highlights significant declines among Latino individuals living in San Francisco. In 2023, there were 40 new HIV diagnoses among Latino individuals, representing a 46% decrease from the previous year and a 59% decrease since 2014. Overall, all racial and ethnic groups have seen declines in new HIV diagnoses from 2014 through 2023.

“San Francisco has long been a national leader in HIV research, epidemiology, prevention, testing, and care. We are thrilled to see that HIV diagnoses in our City continue to go down,” said Mayor London Breed. “Today’s report underscores just how important it is to have trusted, world-class public health facilities such as SFDPH’s San Francisco City Clinic and Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital, as well as incredible community partners whose ongoing work in providing critical HIV services to our community have helped make these declines possible.”

Levels of linkage to care and viral suppression after diagnosis have returned to or exceeded pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. In 2023, 95% of individuals diagnosed with HIV in San Francisco were linked to care within one month, and 84% of those diagnosed within the first nine months of the year achieved viral suppression within six months.

“This report gives us many reasons to be encouraged and shows that our efforts are making a difference,” said Director of Health Dr. Grant Colfax. “Incredible advancements have been made in HIV prevention and care, and we must continue to make sure that communities across San Francisco have access to high-quality, culturally competent services so that this report is part of a sustained trend that marches us towards a day when there will be no new HIV infections.”

SFDPH expanded its services in 2023 with initiatives like the Take Me Home program for home testing kits. Participation increased from ordering 533 kits in 2022 to ordering 843 kits in 2023. An estimated 97% of people living with HIV in San Francisco are aware of their status compared with an estimated national awareness rate of about87%.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage also increased among men who have sex with men (MSM) without HIV across all races/ethnicities at the San Francisco City Clinic between2015and2023.In2015,use ranged from22 %to27%;by2023,it increased between71 %and78%. However challenges remain particularly among Black/African American MSM who show lower PrEP use than other groups.

Getting To Zero SFDPH initiative focuses on increasing access PrEP engagement for Latino Black/African American communities people experiencing homelessness(PEH) drug users.PEH accounted23 %ofnewdiagnosesin2023;two-thirdsvirallysuppressed.Thecity facesadditionalchallengeswithdrugoverdoses accountingfor19 %ofdeathsamongpeoplelivingwithHIVbetween2019and2022.

To address these issues SFDPH Community Equity Health Promotion Branch coordinated opening seven Health Access Points(HAPs).These provide equity-focused stigma-free low-barrier prevention care treatment services.STI,Hepatitis C overdose prevention.SFDPH's renowned City Clinic offers comprehensive bilingual services

SFDPH manages robust network programs ensuring PEH remain connected LINCS(Linkage Integration Navigation Comprehensive Services),Whole Person Integrated Care,Zuckerberg General Hospital Ward86POP-UP clinic,"The Lobby."

“To ultimately succeed our fight against critical people know understand many available evolve improve planning coordination community academic health system partners,”said Dr.Susan Philip Health Officer City County Director Population Division.“Tools inside outside traditional medical settings more connect hear better chance tackling challenges front us.”

The full report can be accessed here.

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