To meet the educational, physical, social, and emotional needs of children, many U.S. schools opened for in-person learning during fall 2020 by implementing strategies to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 (1,2). To date, there have been no U.S. studies comparing COVID-19 incidence in schools that varied in implementing recommended prevention strategies, including mask requirements and ventilation improvements* (2). Using data from Georgia kindergarten through grade 5 (K-5) schools that opened for in-person learning during fall 2020, CDC and the Georgia Department of Public Health (GDPH) assessed the impact of school-level prevention strategies on incidence of COVID-19 among students and staff members before the availability of COVID-19 vaccines.(†) Among 169 K-5 schools that participated in a survey on prevention strategies and reported COVID-19 cases during November 16-December 11, 2020, COVID-19 incidence was 3.08 cases among students and staff members per 500 enrolled students.(§) Adjusting for county-level incidence, COVID-19 incidence was 37% lower in schools that required teachers and staff members to use masks, and 39% lower in schools that improved ventilation, compared with schools that did not use these prevention strategies. Ventilation strategies associated with lower school incidence included methods to dilute airborne particles alone by opening windows, opening doors, or using fans (35% lower incidence), or in combination with methods to filter airborne particles with high-efficiency particulate absorbing (HEPA) filtration with or without purification with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) (48% lower incidence). Multiple strategies should be implemented to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in schools (2); mask requirements for teachers and staff members and improved ventilation are important strategies that elementary schools could implement as part of a multicomponent approach to provide safer, in-person learning environments. Universal and correct mask use is still recommended by CDC for adults and children in schools regardless of vaccination status (2).

BACKGROUND: In 2014, women represented 19% of HIV diagnoses in the United States. Of these, 78% were among black women and Latinas. Sexual risk behaviors-for example concurrent sex partnerships, nonmonogamous sex partners, and inconsistent condom use-are associated with increased HIV transmission and prevalence; these behaviors have been understudied, collectively, in women. METHODS: To examine HIV-related sexual risk behaviors among sexually active women aged 18-44 years by race/ethnicity and over time, we used data from the 2006-2008, 2008-2010, and 2011-2013 cycles of the National Survey of Family Growth. We estimated weighted percentages and performed logistic regression to measure adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between selected behaviors and sociodemographic covariates. RESULTS: Among 13,588 women, 1.1% reported concurrent sex partnerships, 10.3% reported male partners whom they perceived were nonmonogamous, and 21.1% reported using a condom at either last vaginal or anal sex. Black women (aPR = 1.52; CI = 1.36-1.71) and Latinas (aPR = 1.29; CI = 1.14-1.47) were more likely to report condom use at either last vaginal or anal sex compared with white women. However, black women were also more likely to report concurrent opposite-sex partnerships (aPR = 2.44; CI = 1.57-3.78) and perceived nonmonogamous sex partners (aPR = 1.33; CI = 1.14-1.56) compared with white women. CONCLUSIONS: Improved HIV behavioral risk-reduction strategies are needed for women. Black women could benefit from interventions that address partnership concurrency. For black women and Latinas, who are more likely to use condoms, further examination of broader social and structural factors as contributors to racial/ethnic gaps are warranted and vital for understanding and decreasing HIV-related disparities.

In 2014, Black/African-American and Hispanic/Latino men who have sex with men (BLMSM) comprised 64.1% of HIV diagnoses among MSM in the U.S. Routine HIV testing allows earlier diagnosis, linkage to care, and improved health outcomes. HIV testing campaigns may increase HIV awareness and testing behaviors, but perceptions of these campaigns by BLMSM have been understudied. We explored perceptions of HIV testing campaigns with BLMSM in New York City (NYC) to inform campaign strategies that target BLMSM for HIV testing. Using respondent-driven sampling methods, we conducted semi-structured interviews from 2011 to 2012 with BLMSM in NYC who participated in a larger HIV research study. Interview responses from 108 participants were examined for main themes using computer-assisted thematic analyses. The four main themes identified were that HIV testing campaigns should: (1) use non-stereotypical messages and images on the basis of race and sexuality, (2) use non-gay identified images, (3) be maximally inclusive and visible, and (4) raise risk perception of HIV. These findings can inform future campaigns for strengthening HIV testing among BLMSM in support of earlier diagnosis, linkage to care, and reduced disparities.

Conversations about HIV prevention before engaging in sex may result in safer sex practices and decreased HIV transmission. However, partner communication for HIV prevention has been understudied among black/African American men who have sex with men (BMSM), a group that is disproportionately affected by HIV. We explored and described encounters and perceptions about HIV prevention conversations among BMSM and their sex partner(s) in New York City. We conducted an inductive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with BMSM who reported sex with a man in the previous 3 months. Interviews were professionally transcribed; Nvivo was used for data analysis. Twenty-two BMSM were included in this analysis; median age = 29.1 years; 71.4% self-identified as MSM; 85.7% were ever HIV tested; and 52.6% reported no disclosure or discussion about HIV status with their previous sex partner. The main themes were: (1) missed opportunities for HIV prevention conversations (e.g., no HIV prevention conversations or HIV prevention conversations after sex had occurred); (2) barriers to HIV prevention conversations (e.g., being in the moment; not wanting to pause); (3) emotional thoughts after sex (e.g., feeling worried about possible HIV exposure); and (4) rethinking relationships and sexual health (e.g., changed sex practices by asking partners' HIV status before sex; started using condoms). These findings offer insight into HIV prevention conversations by BMSM around the time of or during sexual encounters and may inform and strengthen partner-level HIV prevention communication interventions for BMSM.

In Alabama, 70 % of new HIV cases are among African Americans. Because the Black Church plays an important role for many African Americans in the south, we conducted qualitative interviews with 10 African American pastors recruited for an HIV intervention study in rural Alabama. Two main themes emerged: (1) HIV stigma is prevalent and (2) the role of the Black Church in addressing HIV in the African American community. Our data suggest that pastors in rural Alabama are willing to be engaged in HIV prevention solutions; more formalized training is needed to decrease stigma, strengthen HIV prevention and support persons living with HIV/AIDS.

PURPOSE: In the United States, black/African American (black) men bear the greatest burden of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), accounting for 42% of new HIV infections in 2012 despite being 6% of the population. In Florida, heterosexual HIV transmission has increased among black men. Few studies have examined HIV testing experiences for black heterosexual men (BHM) in the rural South. This study describes the post-HIV-testing trial experiences of BHM in rural Florida. METHODS: We conducted 12 focus groups (4-7 participants per group) in 3 rural Florida counties with BHM who participated in a larger randomized HIV testing trial. Interviews were professionally transcribed and data were analyzed using NVivo 10. The qualitative analysis was informed by the strengths perspective (ie, emphasis on abilities rather than risks) and used a thematic analytical approach. RESULTS: Sixty-seven men participated (median age 41.5 years); 39 (58%) earned a monthly income of less than $500, 38 (57%) attained education through high school or higher, 37 (55%) were unmarried, and 40 (60%) reported practicing monogamy; all who tested for HIV were negative for HIV. We identified 3 main themes based on self-reported actions: (1) risk reduction (eg, more consistent condom use, fewer sex partners), (2) sexual health communications with sex partners (eg, negotiating HIV testing with sex partners, getting to know partners better), and (3) health communications with peers and family (eg, disclosing test results, encouraging others to get tested). CONCLUSIONS: Among BHM, being in this HIV testing study facilitated increased protective behaviors and communications for HIV prevention. Interventions for BHM in rural areas warrant incorporating these strategies to encourage routine HIV testing.