Allocating HIV prevention resources: a tool for state and local decision making

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) funding for HIV prevention requires state and local allocation.
• Decision-makers face challenges in balancing efficiency and equity in resource distribution.
• Community planning groups are mandated by the CDC for input in resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate a resource allocation tool for HIV prevention funding.
• To incorporate efficiency, equity, and CDC mandates into the tool.
• To guide policy analysis using data-driven insights.

Main Methods:

• Development and demonstration of a resource allocation tool.
• Incorporation of efficiency and equity metrics.
• Use of a simplified epidemiological model with Florida data.

Main Results:

• The tool quantifies trade-offs between efficiency and equity in HIV prevention funding.
• Decision-makers can explore various strategies for achieving equity.
• Non-linear results highlight the limitations of proportionality assumptions.

Conclusions:

• The resource allocation tool enhances transparency in decision-making for HIV prevention.
• Quantifying policy impacts allows for more informed choices regarding efficiency, cost, and distribution.
• Flexibility in applying equity metrics empowers policymakers.