JAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

McCoy, Katryna; Mantell, Joanne E.; Deiss, Robert; Liu, Albert; Bauman, Laurie J.; Bonner, Courtney Peasant; Vinson, Janie; Buchbinder, Susan

doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003626pmid: 40163069

Background:Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention has been available since 2012, but uptake remains disappointing and inequitable. Furthermore, there is little evidence on the effectiveness of interventions to increase PrEP demand among priority populations in the United States. The objectives of this article were to describe how consumer perceptions of PrEP vary by distinct population groups and identify gaps in PrEP awareness, knowledge, and interest.Methods:We synthesized evidence-based interventions to improve demand for PrEP in populations heavily burdened by HIV. The focus centered on consumer factors, how people's awareness of PrEP, especially people who are likely to benefit, influences PrEP uptake.Results:Awareness and equity in PrEP use among vulnerable populations in the United States remain low because of both demand-side obstacles and accessibility challenges. Designing an effective package of interventions to increase demand for PrEP involves integrating strategies that address awareness, knowledge, interest/motivation, and access.Conclusions:The underutilization of PrEP among the 1.2 million individuals who could benefit from it highlights the need for effective demand creation to reduce disparities. To effectively increase awareness of the benefits of PrEP requires consideration of the characteristics of the target population and the structural inequalities that contribute to PrEP-related disparities. Demand creation activities can increase awareness, correct misconceptions, provide knowledge, and help people decide whether PrEP is a good fit for them. The utilization of implementation science frameworks is essential to address demand generation and supply-side barriers to PrEP use.

Beres, Laura K.; Harkness, Audrey; Corcoran, Jessica; Datar, Reva; Corneli, Amy; Ross, Jonathan; Pyra, Maria; Rucinski, Katherine; Betancourt, Gabriela; Marotta, Phillip; Serrano, Pedro; Kemp, Christopher G.; Hoffmann, Christopher J.; Baral, Stefan;

Giguere, Rebecca; Mmeje, Okeoma; Patel, Viraj V.; Felsen, Uriel R.; Coleman Fennell, Jenell S.; Balán, Iván C.; Cheshure, Andrea; Choi, Seul Ki; Shaw Green, Sara K.; Lin, Willey; Morgan, Jonathan; Bauermeister, José; Naar, Sylvie

Rodriguez-Diaz, Carlos E.; Kopeka, Mamaswatsi P.; Tun, Waimar; Santiago-Rodriguez, Edda I.; Rodríguez, José J. Mulinelli; Hickson, DeMarc A.; Watnick, Dana; Conserve, Donaldson F.

doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003631pmid:

Gordon, Christopher; Koenig, Linda J.; Psihopaidas, Demetrios; Refsland, Eric; Mandt, Rebecca

doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003629pmid: 40163051

Abstract:Implementation science has emerged and matured as an essential field for HIV treatment and prevention, designed to bridge the gap between research and practice by identifying opportunities to overcome barriers to implementation of effective interventions, and to accelerate the replication and scale-up of HIV care innovations. In this article, we describe activities and collaborations among the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration, and the National Institutes of Health to optimize the impact of national federal funding opportunities aimed at identifying effective and replicable HIV care and prevention interventions, improving HIV health outcomes, and reducing HIV incidence in the U.S. These activities are outlined in the context of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. Initiative, which was enacted across U.S. Department of Health and Human Services agencies, providing new funding and outlining an operational plan to further guide federal agencies in their specific roles and funding areas.In describing these activities and opportunities, we aim to demonstrate how implementation science is being increasingly leveraged to accelerate progress towards ending HIV through scale-up and dissemination efforts. Continued collaboration through federal implementation science will be instrumental in reaching Ending the HIV Epidemic goals.

Garner, Bryan R.; Bouris, Alida; Charlebois, Edwin D.; Li, Dennis H.; Dakin, Andrea; Moskowitz, Judith; Benbow, Nanette; Christopoulos, Katerina; Hickey, Matthew D.; Imbert, Elizabeth

doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003613

Shah*, Harita S.; Serrano*, Pedro Alonso; Rodriguez-Diaz, Carlos E.; Page, Kathleen R.; Ross, Jonathan; Wilson, Sarah M.; Cantos, Valeria D.

doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003611pmid: 40163060

Abstract:HIV incidence is increasing among Latino/a/x individuals in the United States, especially among young Latino/x gay, bisexual, and sexual minority men. Latino/a/x populations face heightened structural and social barriers to effective interventions for HIV prevention, including pre-exposure prophylaxis, and across the HIV care continuum. Implementation science provides a timely methodology for developing, testing, and scaling effective interventions into practice. Implementation science considers a specific population's priorities and environment, which is especially relevant given the diversity of Latino/a/x populations. In this article, we present lessons learned from our group's experiences leading HIV-related implementation research with various Latino/a/x populations in the United States and Puerto Rico. We highlight the importance of structural and social determinants of health, community-engaged research, and culturally tailored interventions to address HIV disparities. Implementation researchers and institutional leaders can leverage these lessons learned to drive the multilevel change needed to end the HIV epidemic among Latino/a/x populations.

Macapagal, Kathryn; Stoner, Marie C.D.; Guss, Carly E.; Sukhija-Cohen, Adam C.; Moucheraud, Corrina; Saberi, Parya; Maragh-Bass, Allysha C.

doi: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003616pmid: 40163059

Background:Adolescents and young adults (AYA) in the United States are disproportionately affected by HIV. Few interventions are designed to reduce new HIV infections for AYA populations or take AYA's developmental state into consideration.Setting:Ending the HIV Epidemic in the US (EHE) priority areas in California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, and North Carolina.Methods:Thematic synthesis of 5 EHE projects was completed. Methodologic commonalities were identified and summarized across projects to identify key lessons learned.Results:Engaging methods used by and accessible to AYA were central to study recruitment, and to the dissemination of health information for educational purposes. Lessons learned included use of social media and other creative methods for recruitment, retention, and dissemination of study activities; engaging AYA virtually and face-to-face; and ensuring equitable, timely monetary compensation and meaningful benefits to AYA participants.Conclusions:Researchers and public health officials should incorporate AYA developmental context and experiences throughout the research and implementation process. This necessitates community and AYA-engaged research, intervention development, implementation, and dissemination. Future directions include expanding these efforts to communities outside of EHE areas and outside the United States, and ensuring that HIV research and interventions focus not just on individual AYA, but also on the systems and people that bear on their health and well-being (eg, health care providers, supportive adults, schools, laws, and policies).

Nowotny, Kathryn M.; Culbertson, Krystle; Akiyama, Matthew J.; Callen, Emily; Chueng, Teresa A.; Ciraldo, Katrina; Dauria, Emily F.; Day, Ronald F.; Jack, Helen E.; Johnson, Karen A.; Rollins, AKeem; Fox, Aaron D.

Schwartz, Sheree; Benbow, Nanette; Brewer, Russell A.; Beres, Laura K.; Humphries, Debbie L.; Elopre, Latesha E.; Lee, Sung-Jae; Karris, Maile Y.; Rosen, Joseph G.; Kassanits, Jessica; Rana, Aadia; Blumenthal, Jill; Jones, Joyce L.; Gaines Lanzi, Robin;