A mobile health program to support young Black men living with HIV.
A Video-Based mHealth Program to Support People Living with HIV Across the HIV Care Continuum
This study is testing a free mobile program that gives young Black men who have sex with men and are living with HIV helpful video support and resources to make it easier for them to manage their health and feel less alone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 2 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Sentient Research, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (West Covina, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10458468 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research develops a mobile health program called the Virtual Support System (VSS) that provides video-based support specifically for young Black men who have sex with men (YBMSM) living with HIV. The program aims to assist these individuals across the entire HIV care continuum, from diagnosis to viral suppression, addressing the unique challenges they face in accessing and adhering to treatment. By offering customizable video support, peer community engagement, and local resource access, the VSS seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce stigma associated with HIV. The program is designed to be user-friendly and is offered at no cost to participants.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are young Black men who have sex with men and are living with HIV.
Not a fit: Patients who are not young Black men or who do not have HIV may not receive any benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve health outcomes and quality of life for young Black men living with HIV by enhancing their engagement in care.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown success with mobile health interventions targeting similar populations, indicating a promising approach for this initiative.
Where this research is happening
West Covina, United States
- Sentient Research, INC. — West Covina, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Montoya, Jorge Alejandro — Sentient Research, INC.
- Study coordinator: Montoya, Jorge Alejandro
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 below.