Empowering Black Women Living with HIV to Improve Medication Adherence
Official title: A Randomized Control Trial of Striving Towards EmPowerment and Medication Adherence (STEP-AD) among Black Women Living with HIV
Funded at University of Miami Coral Gables · NIH-11043448 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new program called STEP-AD to help Black women living with HIV stick to their medication by using supportive techniques that address their unique challenges, and it includes ten sessions to boost their confidence and health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami Coral Gables NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | March 1, 2024 |
| Project end | November 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $575,665 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH135833-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11043448 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Black women who are living with HIV and experiencing challenges with medication adherence.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not Black women or those who are not living with HIV may not receive benefits from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing and testing a program called STEP-AD, which aims to empower Black women living with HIV to improve their medication adherence. The program combines cognitive behavioral therapy techniques with strategies to cope with unique challenges such as trauma and discrimination. Participants will engage in ten sessions designed to address their specific experiences and promote resilience, ultimately helping them manage their health better. The study will assess the effectiveness of this intervention through a randomized control trial.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve medication adherence and health outcomes for Black women living with HIV.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that trauma-informed interventions can be effective, but this specific approach targeting Black women living with HIV is novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami Coral Gables
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dale, Sannisha K. — University of Miami Coral Gables
- Study coordinator: Dale, Sannisha K.
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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.