Laying Groundwork: A Strategic and Community-Informed Approach
At the heart of the needs assessment was a commitment to center the voices and experiences of PLWH. The team adopted a structured, mixed-methods approach grounded in public health best practices and community engagement principles. Early planning sessions with the KC-TGA HIV Prevention and Care Planning Council helped define the scope, identify key populations, and align the process with local and national goals, including the federal Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative.
A work plan was developed outlining six key phases: planning and design, data collection, stakeholder engagement, data analysis, report development, and dissemination. Each phase was guided by the dual aim of collecting high-quality data and building shared ownership of findings across community partners.
Data Collection: Quantitative Insights and Missed Qualitative Opportunities
The data collection strategy relied heavily on a community survey distributed online and in print. Of the 190 total responses, 107 were from PLWH living within the KC-TGA—forming the primary dataset for analysis. This survey captured demographic and socioeconomic data, health service utilization, unmet needs, and social determinants of health. It also included open-ended questions that allowed respondents to share their lived experiences and challenges in accessing care.
Despite thoughtful outreach plans, the effort to conduct focus groups and key informant interviews encountered challenges. Low participation from both community members and service providers limited the ability to collect in-depth qualitative narratives. The team identified potential barriers such as time constraints, confidentiality concerns, and institutional distrust—particularly among historically marginalized populations.
Work Plan and Phases
Phase | Activities | Deliverables |
1. Planning and Design | – Established assessment objectives and timelines | Work plan, logic model, stakeholder map |
2. Data Collection | – Designed and distributed a 43-question community survey (online + paper) | Completed survey, compiled quantitative datasets |
3. Stakeholder Engagement | – Attended Planning Council and subcommittee meetings | Stakeholder contact log, meeting notes |
4. Data Analysis | – Cleaned and filtered survey data (e.g., only 107 PLWH in KC-TGA included) | Data visualizations, findings summary |
5. Report Development | – Compiled findings into a structured report format | Full final report with appendices |
6. Dissemination and Use | – Presented findings at community and Planning Council meetings | Presentation slide deck, funding alignment memo |
Stakeholder Engagement: Broad Outreach, Mixed Results
Engaging stakeholders was a critical component of the assessment. The team attended Planning and Prevention Council meetings, connected directly with Ryan White providers, and launched a social media campaign supplemented by targeted paid advertising. These efforts helped raise awareness of the assessment and encouraged survey participation, particularly among hard-to-reach populations.
While the digital strategy helped broaden reach, securing deeper engagement through interviews and focus groups remained elusive. This underscored the importance of longer-term relationship building and potential incentives for future engagement.
Findings: A Picture of Progress and Persistent Gaps
Analysis of the data revealed both encouraging signs and areas requiring urgent attention. Many individuals reported successfully accessing core medical services like HIV care visits, case management, and medication assistance. Viral suppression rates remained relatively strong among those engaged in care.
Yet gaps persisted in key areas. Mental health services, dental care, housing assistance, and nutritional support emerged as high-need and underutilized. Survey data highlighted that a significant portion of respondents who needed these services could not access them. Structural barriers such as stigma, transportation challenges, financial hardship, and culturally unresponsive care were recurrent themes.
Notably, Black and Hispanic/Latino residents continued to experience disproportionate rates of new HIV diagnoses, as well as greater difficulty accessing comprehensive support. These racial and ethnic disparities were mirrored in local epidemiological data and underscored the importance of equity-focused solutions.
Turning Data into Action: Recommendations for Change
The findings from the needs assessment laid a strong foundation for data-driven action. Programmatic recommendations focused on expanding access to high-need services, enhancing care coordination, and promoting culturally competent and trauma-informed care practices. On the policy side, the report urged investment in transportation subsidies, stigma-reduction campaigns, and more equitable insurance and housing supports.
Throughout, the report emphasized the importance of addressing social determinants of health—not as ancillary issues, but as integral to achieving viral suppression and long-term wellness for PLWH.
Conclusion: Building Momentum for a Healthier Future
The 2024 KC-TGA Needs Assessment reaffirmed the power of inclusive data collection and transparent analysis in shaping responsive, equitable HIV services. While challenges remain in reaching certain populations and capturing deeper qualitative insight, the process yielded rich findings that are now being used to guide funding, programming, and policy within the region.
By documenting unmet needs and systemic barriers—alongside the strengths and resiliencies of the community—this assessment serves as both a snapshot and a roadmap. It reflects the shared responsibility among public health leaders, service providers, and community members to advance a future where all individuals living with HIV in the Kansas City region have the resources, care, and support they need to thrive.
