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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Through the Test & Treat Rapid Access (TTRA) Program, clients with a new HIV diagnosis in Miami-Dade County can access ART, receive other services and counseling, start enrolling in RWHAP, and connect to HIV primary care during the initial visit. At Borinquen Health Care Center, one of the clinical sites participating in TTRA, 76% of clients were virally suppressed within three months of receiving a rapid ART start, and 95% were retained in care for 12 months.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; People with HIV who are not in care
HIV diagnosis; Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Miami-Dade County, FL
Nine sites implemented four evidence-based interventions, collectively known as Addressing STIs: Ask.Test.Treat.Repeat. The four intervention components are audio computer-assisted self-interview sexual history taking, patient self-collection of urogenital and extragenital site chlamydia/gonorrhea nucleic acid amplification test specimens, sexual and gender minority welcoming indicators, and provider training, with the overall goal to routinize STI screening, testing, and treatment in primary care. The interventions increased routine STI screening and testing of bacterial STIs based on reported behavioral risk.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
All clients
Beyond the care continuum
Clinical service delivery model
Washington, DC
FL
LA
The Adolescent Quality Learning Network (AQLN) identified barriers to sexual health care in four areas: sexual health assessment; receipt of sexual health counseling; three-site STI testing; and receipt of STI treatment. The AQLN then tested approaches to address the identified barriers including opt-out testing, self-rectal swabs, and creating a sex positive environment in the clinic. After one year, the AQLN found improvements in the percentage of clients assessed for sexual health risks, as well as improvements in testing and treatment of STIs.
Emerging Intervention
Youth ages 13 to 24
Beyond the care continuum
Clinical service delivery model; Quality improvement
NY
The YGetIt? Program engaged youth and young adults with HIV in care through three components: a health management mobile application (GET!), Peer Engagement Educator Professionals (PEEPs), and a graphic serial (Tested). Tested received over 200,000 views, and viral suppression rates among YGetIt? participants increased from 79% to 86% over the course of the program.
Emerging Intervention
Youth ages 13 to 24; Young adults ages 25 to 34
Viral suppression
Use of technology and mobile health
Long Island , NY
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was one of seven health departments funded by Leveraging a Data to Care Approach to Cure Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Within the RWHAP Part F SPNS initiative implemented from 2020–2022. With the support of the Yale University School of Medicine, which served as the Technical Assistance Provider, MDHHS matched RWHAP and HIV and HCV surveillance data, calculated HCV viral clearance cascades for coinfected populations, and worked with three RWHAP clinics to generate clinic-based lists of coinfected clients and conduct outreach and linkage to HCV treatment.
Emerging Intervention
People with HCV
Beyond the care continuum
Data utilization approach; Outreach and reengagement activities
MI
Bienestar developed TransActivate to improve timely engagement and retention in HIV care among Latina transgender women. Linkage coordinators/peer navigators use a strengths-based approach to help clients reach their goals of entering and staying in medical care to ultimately reach viral suppression.
Emerging Intervention
Transgender women; Hispanic/Latina(o/x) people
HIV diagnosis; Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Viral suppression
Support service delivery model
Los Angeles, CA
Stronger Together uses counseling to increase engagement in and improve the quality of HIV care available for serodiscordant male couples. Through three in-person and additional “booster” sessions over an 18-month period, Stronger Together gave couples a space to work with an HIV professional to improve treatment adherence and keep both people healthy. Stronger Together participants were more likely to adhere to ART than those in a control group.
Evidence-Based Intervention
People with HIV; Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM)
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy
Clinical service delivery model
Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Chicago, IL
The Huntridge Family Clinic launched the Rapid Start Initiative to provide same-day ART treatment and comprehensive case management to clients with a new diagnosis of HIV. Over 90% of clients received ART on the same day as diagnosis, and 78% of clients were retained in care within the first year of starting treatment.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV
Linkage to HIV medical care; Retention in HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy
Clinical service delivery model
Las Vegas, NV
Howard Brown Health established a specialized drop-in clinic and support groups, and implemented organizational initiatives to provide culturally relevant and gender-affirming services for transgender and non-binary people, including transgender women of color. The goal of this intervention was to optimize engagement in HIV services and primary care. From 2012-2021, the number of transgender and non-binary people served in primary care at Howard Brown Health more than tripled. In addition, after 24 months, participants were more likely to have been prescribed ART and to be virally suppressed than at baseline.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
Transgender women
Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Chicago, IL
Positive Care Center implemented the Rapid Access program in 2018, providing clients with ART on the same day as HIV diagnosis. Pharmacists, embedded within Positive Care Center’s care team, help clients with their treatment plans and adherence strategies. Over 90% of clients served through Rapid Access in 2021 received ART on the same day as diagnosis, and 82% of clients were retained in care at six months.
Evidence-Informed Intervention
People with a new diagnosis of HIV; People with HIV who are not in care
Linkage to HIV medical care; Prescription of antiretroviral therapy; Viral suppression
Clinical service delivery model
Minneapolis, MN