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.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | April 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $186,408 |
| NIH project number | 4R33TW012967-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-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.
-
Adapting a mobile health tool to boost HIV outcomes for older adults with HIV in Ukraine
A mobile health platform called PositiveLinks would be adapted for older adults with HIV in Ukraine to help them stay engaged in care and improve treatment success.
-
Health insurance transitions for older adults with HIV on Medicare
Older adults with HIV face complex Medicare coverage that can affect access to HIV treatment and care.
-
Glycemic control and frailty risk in older adults at risk for type 2 diabetes: how local heat therapy may help
Aging adults at risk for type 2 diabetes may benefit from a local heat therapy approach to improve blood sugar control and reduce frailty risk.
-
Brain changes in older people with HIV and how it affects the brain’s HIV reservoir
This project studies how HIV affects the brain in older adults living with HIV and looks for biomarkers that signal inflammation and brain changes.
-
Palliative care tools to support kidney-treatment choices for older adults with advanced CKD
A palliative-care program helps people aged 75 and older with advanced kidney disease make informed dialysis choices that fit their values and quality of life.
-
High-Intensity Exercise to Protect Cognition and Build Exercise Habits in Older Adults Living with HIV
A funded program tests whether 4 months of HIIT can help older people with HIV improve cognitive function and stick with regular exercise better than standard moderate exercise.
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.