By Dianne Anderson

Fear of social stigma is the least of anyone’s worries lately as new federal cuts may impact thousands of Long Beach residents at risk of losing access to health programs, like support services for HIV, STIs and AIDS.

Youth, with all their boundless energy, will be hit hardest, unless they suddenly learn how to be sexually responsible.

On average, they make up a little less than 20% of the general population, but according to the CDC and national trends, account for nearly half of STIs.

It’s not everyday small talk – but it should be.

Right now, about 4,000 residents in the city are infected, living with HIV or AIDS, but whatever strong gains of recent years could be wiped out as $1.3 million in federal funding has disappeared under Trump Administration cuts.

Evelyn Gonzalez said that since 2019, Long Beach has seen a 25% reduction in new HIV infections.

Under prior funding, the city offered mobile testing, PrEP navigation, HIV and STI testing and treatment at the Ron Arias Health Equity Center, and outreach for high-risk residents that were successful, but clinics are now left to pick up the pieces.

“This progress is the result of proven prevention strategies, including providing free and low-barrier access to rapid HIV testing, ensuring that individuals who test positive can begin treatment immediately, and offering pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to those at higher risk. The loss of federal funding for these programs will greatly impede this work,” said Gonzalez, Community Health Bureau Manager with the City of Long Beach Health Department.

HIV rates also dropped 5.8% from 2023 to 2024, including about 70% of those living with HIV achieving viral suppression.

To try to keep the numbers positive, the health department wants anyone who needs service to reach out to their clinic. There, residents can still access comprehensive sexual health services, including STI testing, PrEP and PEP and STI treatment on a sliding scale or reduced fees based on income. The Health Department’s Sexual Health Clinic is located at 2525 Grand Ave.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez said they are working with community partners, a wide network of groups, and other clinics, offering low or no-cost options for high-risk populations.

The city also said that Long Beach is not alone in experiencing the impacts, as similar programs have been cut across the country and in Los Angeles County.

“The City of Long Beach is committed to keeping the community informed of the ongoing developments related to the loss, and possible future loss, of federal funding and its impacts on local programs provided by the City,” the city said in a release.

For now, the department is pursuing alternative funding at the state, local, or private levels to restore any of the suspended services.

“The Health Department continues to search for funds that will support HIV prevention, treatment and care. Health is collaborating with community-based organizations serving Long Beach residents to continue to understand gaps and funding opportunities,” Gonzalez said in an email.

Left unchecked, increased undiagnosed and untreated infections are a public health hazard. It means more spread, also that pregnant moms passing syphilis to their unborn child will lead to more stillbirths, infant death, or a lifetime of health problems.

Late-stage infections also can lead to infertility. Drug-resistant strains of STIs like gonorrhea, if not treated fast and properly, can lead to bacterial mutations and resistance to antibiotics.

In a letter to HHS Secretary Kennedy, Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Long Beach) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Chicago) wrote of their funding concerns posted on the House Oversight Committee Democrats’ website.

“Motivated by the Trump Administration’s extreme culture war agenda, HHS appears to have specifically terminated studies designed to prevent new HIV infections in Black and Latino gay men, who are disproportionately more likely to contract the virus,” they wrote.

The letter points out that Black patients represent 38% of HIV diagnoses in the United States, despite making up only 14% of the U.S. population. It also highlights that the ideologically motivated cuts leave non-profit healthcare providers — mostly treating Black patients — suddenly unable to provide routine HIV treatment, along with care for chronic illnesses like diabetes and heart disease.

Sue Dunlap, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, said the budget reconciliation bill signed by Trump on July 4 effectively defunds Planned Parenthood health centers nationwide, including the city’s locations.

Defunding also means the centers will not receive federal reimbursement for care provided to Medicaid patients, including birth control, STI testing and treatment, cancer screenings, wellness exams and more.

“We know what happens when patients can’t access the reproductive health care they need—people go without reliable birth control, cancers are left untreated, and STI rates increase. Those who will be most hurt by this already face significant barriers to getting the care they need: Black and Latino communities, LGBTQ+ people, people who live in medically underserved areas and people who have low incomes,” she said.

Planned Parenthood Los Angeles operates 23 health centers across L.A. County, including two in Long Beach.

“Our doors remain open, and we continue to serve our patients without passing on any additional costs. We are going to fight for everyone’s ability to obtain high-quality, affordable health care, regardless of their income or insurance coverage,” she said.

For a list of testing and treatment options, residents are encouraged to visit longbeach.gov/stitesting.

For information on Planned Parenthood LA, or to make an appointment, please visit www.pp-la.org or call 1-800-576-5544.