PROJECT DETAILS
Context
NYC DOHMH 2014-2020
Budget
$250M+ Portfolio
Role
Deputy Commissioner
Programs
HIV, TB, STD, Immunization
Health Equity
HIV Prevention
Urban Health
Transforming Urban HIV Prevention Strategy in New York City
Leading the NYC Department of Health's HIV/AIDS prevention and control programs, managing a portfolio of over $250 million across HIV, TB, STD, immunization, and laboratory programs.
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Urban Health Innovation
6yrs
Leadership
NYC
Scale
Multi
Program Portfolio
$250M
Budget Managed
the challenge
Ending the Epidemic in America's Largest City
New York City faced persistent HIV transmission despite decades of prevention efforts. Traditional approaches weren't reaching the populations most at risk, and health disparities meant communities of color and LGBTQ+ populations bore disproportionate burden.
The city needed innovative strategies that could reach people where they were, reduce stigma, and integrate HIV prevention with broader sexual health and wellness services.
"We had to transform how the city approached HIV prevention—moving from clinical settings to community spaces, and from abstinence messaging to harm reduction and PrEP access."
Our Approach
Community-Centered Prevention Innovation
The strategy focused on reaching people where they were and reducing stigma.
01
PrEP Scale-Up
Dramatically expanded access to pre-exposure prophylaxis through community health centers, sexual health clinics, and innovative delivery models.
02
Status Neutral Framework
Integrated HIV prevention and care services, treating everyone the same regardless of HIV status and reducing stigma.
03
Community Partnership
Built trust with LGBTQ+ communities and communities of color through authentic engagement and community-led programming.
04
Data-Driven Targeting
Used epidemiologic data to identify highest-risk populations and tailor interventions accordingly.
"
This work shaped national HIV prevention strategies and demonstrated that equity-centered approaches could achieve better outcomes for everyone.
Program Impact
the results
National Model for HIV Prevention
NYC's approach transformed stigma and scaled PrEP access across diverse communities.
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Model
National strategies shaped by NYC approach
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Reduced
New HIV diagnoses in NYC during tenure
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Scaled
PrEP access across diverse communities
key insights
Urban Health Best Practices
1
Community Trust Enables Access
Authentic partnership with affected communities opens doors that traditional public health approaches cannot.
2
Status Neutral Reduces Stigma
Treating everyone the same regardless of HIV status removes barriers to both testing and treatment.
3
Data Must Drive Equity
Epidemiologic targeting ensures resources reach the populations with greatest need, not just greatest access.
4
Integration Improves Outcomes
Linking HIV services with broader sexual health and wellness increases engagement and retention.
Building Health Equity Programs?
Let's discuss how community-centered approaches can transform outcomes for the populations you serve.