The RWHAP Best Practices Compilation gathers and disseminates interventions that improve outcomes along the HIV care continuum. Explore the Compilation to find inspiration and new ideas for improving the care of people with HIV. Learn more about the Best Practices Compilation and submit your innovation today for possible inclusion.
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OPT-In For Life is a social media-based intervention that promotes advancement along the HIV care continuum for young adults (ages 18 to 34) with HIV. During the 18-month intervention, OPT-In For Life used multiple social media platforms and a mobile application to provide HIV-related and positive lifestyle resources. Young adults enrolled in OPT-in For Life demonstrated improved retention in HIV care and higher rates of viral suppression after participation.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Young adults ages 25 to 34; Youth ages 13 to 24
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
PA
The University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine (UNMC/NM) Specialty Care Center (SCC) is the largest provider of comprehensive HIV care—including primary and HIV-focused medical services as well as multiple support services—in Nebraska. In March 2020, at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the clinic integrated telehealth into its care delivery model to continue serving patients beyond the clinic structure, and developed algorithms that allowed any team member to quickly identify a patient's eligibility for a telehealth visit. The algorithms include the date of the most recent office visit, stability of HIV disease, most recent viral load and CD4 count, and antiretroviral therapy (ART) refill histories as a proxy for medication adherence. Overall, viral suppression rates remained high for all patients regardless of visit type, indicating that telehealth is a successful alternative to in-person visits for providing HIV care.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
All clients
Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model; Use of technology and mobile health
Omaha, NE
In weCare, a cyber health educator sent personalized messages through text, web-based apps, and Facebook to enrolled youth who identified as gay, bisexual, or other men who have sex with men (MSM), or transgender women, and who either had a new diagnosis of HIV or were not in care at the time of enrollment. Messages were personalized to each participant’s needs and were designed to support them as they navigated complicated health care systems as well as other challenges that affect care engagement (e.g., transportation, disclosure). The cyber health educator also moderated and posted information about health and well-being on an optional secret Facebook page that some participants chose to join. Participants were less likely to miss medical appointments and more likely to be virally suppressed after 12 months of the intervention.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Youth ages 13 to 24; Young adults ages 25 to 34; Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM); Transgender women
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
Winston-Salem and Greensboro, NC
E-VOLUTION is a two-way text messaging intervention, originally developed by Washington University School of Medicine and piloted at Project ARK. The intervention focuses on improving health outcomes for youth, particularly young Black men who have sex with men. E-VOLUTION was designed for people ages 18-29 who have HIV and are receiving clinical care but require support to remain adherent. E-VOLUTION was evaluated and found to improve viral suppression and retention in care rates.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Youth ages 13 to 24; Young adults ages 25 to 34; Black gay and bisexual men
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
St. Louis, MO
Text Me, Girl! is a text messaging intervention that aims to improve linkage to and retention in HIV care, increase adherence to HIV medications, and improve viral suppression and other health outcomes among transgender women ages 18–34 years. The intervention supports young transgender women with HIV, particularly those experiencing barriers to care such as periods of homelessness and/or incarceration, substance misuse, or engaging in sex work. Text Me, Girl! participation was associated with statistically significant improvements in antiretroviral therapy uptake and adherence, and self-reported viral suppression.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Transgender women
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
Los Angeles, CA
The Text Messaging Intervention to Improve Antiretroviral Adherence among HIV-Positive Youth (TXTXT) is designed to keep young people, particularly young, Black, gay, bisexual, same-gender loving, and other men who have sex with men, engaged in HIV medical care, by delivering personalized, daily, interactive text messages that remind them to take their antiretroviral therapy as prescribed. Two sites implemented TXTXT as part of E2i, an initiative funded by the RWHAP Part F SPNS program from 2017–2021. The intervention resulted in a statistically significant improvement in engagement in HIV care.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Black gay and bisexual men; Young adults ages 25 to 34
Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
Detroit, MI
Brooklyn, NY