Long Beach Health Department Announces Changes to STI/HIV Services
The Californer/10320854

Long Beach, CA ~ Long Beach, CA - The Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) has announced significant changes to their STI/HIV prevention, education, and treatment services due to funding cuts. These cuts were a result of recent Executive Orders and policy shifts under the current Presidential Administration.

The Health Department has been providing these vital public health programs for many years with the help of federal funds. However, due to a loss of $1.3 million in funding, they will no longer be able to offer certain services.

Among the services that will no longer be available are the Mobile Testing Unit, which provided free HIV/STI testing at various locations in Long Beach, and HIV and STI testing and treatment services located at the Ron Arias Health Equity Center on Myrtle Ave. Additionally, STI/HIV outreach and engagement services, including PrEP navigation services, and the Sexual and Social Network program will also be discontinued.

Despite these changes, the Health Department's Sexual Health Clinic on Grand Ave. will continue to offer comprehensive sexual health services for a fee. This includes STI testing, PrEP and PEP medication for HIV prevention, and STI treatment with sliding/reduced fees based on income. Appointments are encouraged but walk-in services are also available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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The loss of federal funding not only affects Long Beach but has also been seen across the country. In Los Angeles County alone, which provides health services to those outside of Long Beach as well, there have been reductions in programs due to funding cuts.

According to the Health Department's data, nearly 4,000 people in Long Beach are living with HIV or AIDS. The department's efforts have contributed to a 5.8% reduction in HIV rates from 2023-2024 as well as a 70% rate of viral suppression for those living with HIV in 2023.

To help community members stay informed about the ongoing developments related to the loss of federal funding and its impacts on local programs, the City of Long Beach has created a webpage at longbeach.gov/FedFundingUpdates. This page will provide up-to-date information on available testing and screening services through community partnerships.

The City of Long Beach is committed to keeping the community informed about the effects of these funding cuts and any potential future losses. For media inquiries, please contact the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services Public Affairs Office at he-publicaffairs@longbeach.gov.

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