The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Bureau of Infectious Disease (BID) will evaluate the effectiveness of a novel public health delivered intervention, driven by use of surveillance data, to (re-)engage PLWHA identified as out-of-care. The proposed research project, the Massachusetts Retention, Engagement, and Adherence to Care for Health (MassREACH), could significantly improve care engagement and adherence to ART, thereby contributing to reduced incidence, individual and population level improvements in health outcomes, and reductions in health disparities.
Specific Aims Aim 1: Establish data sharing partnerships to identify out-of-care Aim 2: Implement an engagement in care intervention Aim 3: Calculate the number and percentage of out-of-care PLWH engaged and retained in care, and who achieve viral suppression Aim 4: Describe the important components and feasibility of a health department-clinic collaboration to identify out- of-care PLWHA Aim 5: Measure the cost-effectiveness of the intervention arm in terms of improved health of re-engaged individuals and reduced forward transmission Aim 6: Describe reasons that explain care status misclassifications Aim 7: Measure viral suppression at the beginning and end of the study to estimate the potential impact of this intervention at the community level. The MDPH proposes MassREACH as a strategy to evaluate the effectiveness of a novel public health delivered intervention to (re-)engage PLWHA identified as out-of-care. The project will build upon the existing public health infrastructure for HIV and STD prevention and control, and will complement existing linkage and engagement activities through use of novel strategies and techniques.

Public Health Relevance

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) Bureau of Infectious Disease (BID) will evaluate the effectiveness of a novel public health delivered intervention, driven by use of surveillance data, to (re-)engage PLWHA identified as out-of-care. The proposed research project, the 'Massachusetts Retention, Engagement, and Adherence to Care for Health' (MassREACH), could significantly improve care engagement and adherence to ART, thereby contributing to reduced incidence, individual and population level improvements in health outcomes, and reductions in health disparities.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STDS and Tb Prevention (NCHHSTP)
Type
Research Project--Cooperative Agreements (U01)
Project #
5U01PS004503-03
Application #
9108724
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZPS1)
Program Officer
Smutz, Paul
Project Start
2014-09-01
Project End
2019-08-31
Budget Start
2016-09-01
Budget End
2017-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2016
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Massachusetts State Department of Pub Health
Department
Type
DUNS #
878298900
City
Boston
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code