Abstract

The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is a critical public health initiative in the United States designed to provide lifesaving medications to low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS who are uninsured or underinsured. Established under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, ADAP plays a pivotal role in improving health outcomes and reducing HIV transmission by ensuring access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and other essential HIV-related medications.

The program operates through a combination of federal and state funding, offering a safety net for those unable to afford the high cost of HIV treatment. ADAP's impact is substantial, contributing to increased viral suppression rates, improved quality of life for participants, and decreased healthcare costs through the prevention of HIV-related complications. Eligibility for ADAP varies by state and the Washington State Department of Health – Office of Infectious Disease (OID) sought to learn more about the programs across the United States and compare Washington’s ADAP.

This was achieved by creating a spreadsheet that included what is covered under Ryan White Part B, eligibility criteria by state, contact information, and links to additional information by state. This breakdown of information is a first of its kind, allowing for the OID to easily access the information on other ADAP programs across the country.

About My Capstone

For my capstone, I worked with the Office of Infectious Disease (OID) on their HIV team. The OID provides services to prevent and control sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, adult viral hepatitis and assesses the incidence and prevalence of these diseases.

The office is responsible for the HIV Client Services Early Intervention Program which pays for medications, insurance premiums and limited medical, mental health and dental care for low-income, eligible HIV-positive individuals.

It tracks and assesses disease and health conditions by collecting, analyzing and evaluating data. It maintains databases that aid targeting resources toward current data trends (Washington State Department of Health, n.d.).

About The Washington State Department of Health

Alt Text: Photo of the Washington State Senate approving a bill creating The Department of Health on May 7, 1989. Source

History

The Washington State Department of Health was created in 1989 after splitting from the Department of Social and Human Services. The Department of Health is based in Tumwater, Washington and has grown to employ over 2,000 public health professionals who are all dedicated to improving the health and well-being of people living in Washington and the communities in which they live, learn, work, worship, and play.

Culture

The foundational principles for the culture of the Department of Health include being human-centered, equitable, collaborative, aligning with the seven generations principle, and excellence.

Alt text: A metal sculpture by Frederick Franck depicting the seventh-generation principle. Source

Mission

The Department of Health works with others to protect and improve the health of all people in Washington state. This includes the vision of equity and optimal health for all.

Alt text: A design graphic showing people from various ethnicities and cultures. Source

Values

The cornerstone values for the Washington State Department of Health are equity, innovation, and engagement.

Alt text: A graphic showing two people engaged in healthcare using new technologies. Source

Why It Is Important

In 2021, approximately 32,100 people were diagnosed with HIV in the United States (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, n.d.). The availability of ADAP is critical in ensuring these individuals have access to life-saving medications. A study found that individuals receiving antiretroviral therapy through ADAP had significantly better viral suppression rates compared to those who did not have access to these programs (Dawson & Kates, 2020). There is no resource that provides a breakdown of the ADAP eligibility, required documentation, guidelines, state-specific resources, and contact information in the way that I have outlined in my project.

Goals

1 / Comprehensive Resource for ADAP Information

Objective: To create an accessible and comprehensive central resource that provides detailed information about AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) in all 50 states with what is available.
Significance: ADAPs are crucial for ensuring that low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS have access to necessary medications. A centralized resource will help users easily find information relevant to their state, promoting better health outcomes through informed access to these programs.

2 / Identify Areas for Improvement in Language Offerings

Objective: To assess the current language offerings of ADAP resources and identify gaps where additional languages are needed.
Significance: Language barriers can significantly impact access to healthcare. By identifying and addressing these gaps, the project aims to make ADAP resources more accessible to non-English speakers, enhancing inclusivity and equity in healthcare.

3 / Identify Reliable Information Sources

Objective: Pinpoint and validate reliable sources of information regarding ADAP and related health programs.
Significance: Reliable information is key to making informed health decisions. Ensuring that the resources provided are accurate and trustworthy will improve the overall effectiveness of the ADAP information resource.

4 / Introduce a Source of Truth for Topically-Related Programs

Objective: To establish a definitive and accurate source of truth for programs related to HIV/AIDS treatment and assistance.
Significance: This will help standardize the information across various platforms and stakeholders, reducing confusion and misinformation, and ultimately aiding in better health management for individuals with HIV/AIDS.