NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Adapting mHealth to help older people with HIV stay in care in Ukraine

Official title: Adapting mHealth to improve HIV outcomes among older people with HIV in Ukraine

Funded at Yale University · NIH-11608506 · Data updated 2026-11-12

A patient-friendly plan to adapt a smartphone-based support tool to help older adults living with HIV in Ukraine stay adherent to treatment and connected to care.

More Older People research and trials

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2024
Project endApril 30, 2029
Funding year2026
Award (this year)$186,408
NIH project number4R33TW012967-03
Project IDNIH-11608506 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Older adults (age 50+) living with HIV in Ukraine who own a smartphone and are willing to use a digital health app.

Less likely to help

Those without smartphone access or with barriers to using mobile apps may receive limited or no benefit.

What this research studies

This project would tailor a proven mobile health platform to meet the needs of older adults with HIV in Ukraine, focusing on reminders, mood and stress screening, and easy access to resources. The approach builds on PositiveLinks’ success in the US and tests whether a similar, culturally appropriate version can improve engagement in care and viral suppression for OPWH in a setting with different healthcare challenges. Participants would use a smartphone-based program to receive reminders, track well-being, and access tailored information, with caregiver or clinic support as appropriate. The study will monitor engagement, adherence, and health outcomes to see if the adapted tool can reduce treatment interruptions and improve health.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this mHealth tool could help older people with HIV in Ukraine stay on their ART, improve viral suppression, and feel more connected to care.

How similar studies have gone: Previous US studies with PositiveLinks show improved virologic outcomes, suggesting potential benefit in a new setting.

Where this research is happening

  • Yale University
    New Haven, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Shenoi, Sheela — Yale University
  • Study coordinator: Shenoi, Sheela

Related research

Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.