Earlier this month in Downtown Los Angeles, Los Angeles County’s Division of HIV and STD Programs (DHSP) welcomed hundreds of public health professionals, community advocates, and service providers to the third annual Workforce Development Conference, a two-day convening focused on ending the HIV epidemic through compassion, collaboration, and cutting-edge knowledge-sharing. Heluna Health’s participation is part of the organization’s larger commitment to advancing public health equity, partnering with DHSP to provide essential training and connection for those working on the front lines of HIV and STD prevention and care across Los Angeles County.
Los Angeles is home to over 59,300 people living with HIV, yet 6,800 remain undiagnosed, and an estimated 76,000 individuals could benefit from PrEP. The need for continued investment and innovation in public health couldn’t be clearer. These statistics highlight not only the scale of the challenge but also the opportunity for impactful action across clinical and community settings.
With more than 700 attendees across two days, the 2025 conference brought together a dynamic community of practitioners who serve those most impacted by HIV—from people experiencing homelessness, to transgender individuals, to older adults, and communities of color. Through 24 breakout sessions across two days, attendees explored topics ranging from trauma-informed care to cultural sensitivity, aging and HIV, and the power of data to drive resources to where they’re needed most.
Highlights from this year’s sessions include:
- Internalized HIV Stigma, Viral Suppression, and Resilience in Women of Color
- Providing HIV Care to People Experiencing Homelessness
- Health in the Transgender Community
- Cultural Responses to HIV for American Indian/Alaska Native Communities
- Medications for Addiction Treatment for Non-Clinical Staff
- HIV and Aging
- Cognitive Dysfunction and its Impact on Homelessness
This knowledge exchange is more than academic—it’s deeply practical. It empowers providers with tools they can bring back to clinics, shelters, and support groups, and helps build a more coordinated and compassionate network of HIV care in Los Angeles.
The conference is one piece of a broader initiative: Los Angeles County’s Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) plan, a bold, data-informed strategy to reduce new HIV infections and improve care outcomes for those living with HIV in the region. As the fiscal and operational partner to the County’s Division of HIV and STD Programs (DHSP), Heluna Health helps drive this work by connecting critical resources to grassroots organizations, building capacity in the public health workforce, and ensuring underserved populations have access to testing, treatment, and supportive services.
A Growing Network of Impact
Since the EHE program’s inception in 2022, Heluna Health has helped invest more than $36 million into HIV-related programs and services across the county. These include:
- Spanish-language mental health services
- Provided funding for non-traditional partners for innovative projects and strategies
- Provided funding for evidence-based interventions for high-risk priority populations
- Conducted an expansive pilot evaluation to understand barriers and improve care
- Provided HIV testing and PrEP for high-risk populations, and people experiencing homelessness
Transforming Care, Together
At its core, the Workforce Development Conference is about building relationships and aligning around a shared goal: ending the HIV epidemic in Los Angeles. From Zumba sessions that energize the body to panel discussions that challenge the status quo, every moment of the conference is designed to uplift and inspire those doing this essential work.
“The spirit of collaboration and helpfulness that our team displays is truly outstanding,” says Dr. Blayne Cutler, President and CEO of Heluna Health. “By fostering understanding, reducing stigma, and ensuring access to care, we’re not just treating a disease—we’re transforming people’s lives.”
This annual gathering serves as a powerful reminder: we have the tools, the knowledge, and the community to end HIV. Now, together, we must keep moving forward.
