Helping women learn about PrEP during primary care visits
Official title: Encouraging Multiple PrEP Options for Women Engaged in PRimary Care (EMPOWER)
Funded at Northwestern University · NIH-11168950 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A tech-based program in primary care will help women at higher risk for HIV, especially those with low health literacy, understand and choose PrEP for prevention.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | August 13, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $360,000 |
| NIH project number | 5R34MH137721-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11168950 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult women receiving care at participating primary care clinics, particularly those at increased risk for HIV or who have low health literacy, are the ideal candidates.
✕Less likely to help
People who are already HIV-positive, already taking PrEP, not receiving care at participating clinics, or who are not women are unlikely to benefit directly from this project.
What this research studies
You would be offered a short, technology-based health literacy program during your primary care visit that explains PrEP in clear, easy-to-understand language. The team will use an electronic health record (EHR) algorithm to identify women who might benefit most and invite them to use the program. The program is designed to prepare you for a conversation with your clinician and make it easier to decide whether PrEP is right for you. This pilot will test the approach at participating primary care clinics to see how it works in routine care.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, more women could know about and start PrEP, reducing their risk of HIV infection.
How similar studies have gone: PrEP itself is proven effective and prior studies show women value clinician conversations about PrEP, but this specific tech-enabled primary care approach is novel and is now being piloted.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwestern University
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bailey, Stacy C — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Bailey, Stacy C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Improving PrEP use in primary care for HIV prevention
A project tests different ways to increase new PrEP prescriptions in primary care clinics to help prevent HIV among people who could benefit.
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Improving HIV prevention for adolescents through better pediatric care
This study is all about helping doctors who care for kids and young adults learn how to better talk about and prescribe a medicine called PrEP, which can help prevent HIV, so that more young people can stay healthy and safe.
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Improving PrEP Access for HIV Prevention in Primary Care
This project aims to find the best ways for primary care doctors to offer HIV prevention medication (PrEP) to more patients, especially those who currently receive it less often.
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Helping women learn about HIV prevention options
This study is all about helping women, especially those at higher risk for HIV, learn more about a preventive medication called PrEP during their regular doctor visits, so they can make informed choices about their health and feel comfortable discussing it with their healthcare providers.
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HEARTS hypertension and diabetes care in Guatemala
This grant tests how well the HEARTS primary care model works in Guatemala to improve blood pressure and blood sugar control for patients.
-
mChoice: Boosting PrEP Use and Adherence for Black and Latino MSM with Tailored Training and Support
A national study to help Black and Latino men who have sex with men start and stick with PrEP through culturally matched provider training and patient support.
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.