A decentralized, post-incarceration program to help people living with or at risk for HIV
Official title: A Decentralized, Status neutral, Stakeholder-engaged, post-incarceration intervention for people with and at risk for HIV
Funded at Albert Einstein College of Medicine · NIH-11571401 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A patient-facing program called DEST2nation aims to help people recently released from jail or prison stay on HIV treatment (ART) and prevention (PrEP) by coordinating care, housing, and support services through peers and community organizations.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Albert Einstein College of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bronx, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $160,441 |
| NIH project number | 3R33DA060627-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11571401 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with HIV or at risk for HIV who are recently released from incarceration and who have or are at risk for substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
People without recent incarceration or without HIV risk factors or substance use disorders may not directly benefit from this program.
What this research studies
This grant plans a phased approach to create a post-release support model for people with HIV or at risk for HIV who have substance use disorders and have recently left carceral facilities. It will pair peer navigators with carceral-focused community organizations to address barriers like housing, employment, stigma, and medical mistrust, while coordinating ART and PrEP engagement. The project emphasizes a decentralized, status-neutral framework to ensure access to HIV care regardless of current status, with input from stakeholders throughout. If successful, it could improve viral suppression after release and reduce HIV transmission in the community.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could improve ART/PrEP uptake and adherence after release, helping people stay healthier and reduce HIV transmission.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work suggests that peer navigation and community-linked services can improve engagement in HIV care, but this specific post-incarceration, stakeholder-engaged model is novel and needs testing.
Where this research is happening
-
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Bronx, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Akiyama, Matthew — Albert Einstein College of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Akiyama, Matthew
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.