CHAMPS+: supporting viral suppression for people with HIV in the Deep South
Promoting Viral Suppression through the CHAMPS+ Intervention in the Deep South
This project uses trained community health workers and mobile phone tools to help people with HIV in the Deep South stick with their HIV medicines and reach undetectable viral levels.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Columbia University Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310159 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would work with trained community health workers who use phone-based tools, reminders, and tailored support to help you take HIV medicines and connect with services. The program also reaches into social and sexual networks and local community resources to tackle barriers like transportation, stigma, or access to care. The CHAMPS+ approach builds on earlier work and will be delivered across clinics and community settings in the Deep South while the team tracks medication adherence and viral load over time. The goal is to bring a practical, scalable support package to people facing gaps in HIV care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults living with HIV in the US Deep South who struggle with taking antiretroviral therapy regularly, have detectable viral loads, or face barriers to staying in care would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People without HIV or those already consistently adherent with sustained undetectable viral loads are unlikely to gain additional benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, CHAMPS+ could help more people achieve and maintain viral suppression by improving adherence and linkage to services.
How similar studies have performed: Community health worker programs and mobile health supports have shown promise improving adherence in some settings, but combining and scaling these approaches specifically in the Deep South is less tested.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Columbia University Health Sciences — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schnall, Rebecca — Columbia University Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Schnall, Rebecca
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.