Keeping it LITE 2: HIV prevention for vulnerable youth using digital health tools
Official title: Keeping it LITE 2: Exploring HIV Risk in Vulnerable Youth with Limited Interaction and Digital Health Intervention (LITE-2)
Funded at University of Illinois at Chicago · NIH-11417449 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large, youth-focused project is testing digital health tools to help teens and young adults at risk for HIV stay engaged in prevention and PrEP/ART adherence.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 19, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,609,431 |
| NIH project number | 5UH3AI169631-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11417449 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adolescents and young adults aged 13-34 in the US who are sexually active and at risk for HIV, including those considering or using PrEP or ART.
✕Less likely to help
Teens and young adults who are not at risk for HIV or who are not comfortable using digital health tools may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project partners with sexually active adolescents and young adults in the US to build a scalable, digital prevention platform called HealthMPowerment (HMP). It will enroll about 3,000 participants aged 13-34 and track HIV risk, prevention behaviors, and use of new prevention technologies over time. The study plans to compare and refine an enhanced adherence version of the platform for people on PrEP or ART to improve staying on prevention and treatment. The UH3 phase will test new digital interventions while the UG3 phase focuses on refining recruitment, retention, and data analysis to understand risk trajectories. Results could guide better, more accessible prevention strategies for youth at risk for HIV.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could lead to more effective, youth-friendly digital prevention tools that improve HIV prevention uptake and adherence.
How similar studies have gone: Prior digital health interventions have shown promise in improving engagement and prevention behaviors among young people, with ongoing optimization needed for scalability.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Illinois at Chicago
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hosek, Sybil — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Hosek, Sybil
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Digital tool to reduce HIV-related stigma in Nepal HIV care centers
A user-friendly digital tool helps clinics measure and reduce stigma related to HIV, mental health, and other factors to improve care for people living with HIV.
-
Digital health strategies to expand lung cancer screening in safety-net clinics
A funded project aims to help low-resource clinics increase the use of lung cancer screening for patients who smoke or are at risk.
-
Culturally tailored digital quit-smoking help for Hispanic/Latinx communities
A digital smoking-cessation program will be culturally adapted for Hispanic/Latinx adults to help them quit smoking and reduce cancer disparities.
-
Improving how people with binge eating disorders learn and use therapeutic skills with digital tools
A study tests digital health tools to help people with binge eating disorders learn and practice cognitive-behavioral skills more effectively.
-
Integrated multimodal digital health support for adults with type 2 diabetes
A large study at Yale will test how AI-powered digital tools and real-time glucose data can help adults with type 2 diabetes manage their condition more effectively.
-
Integrated digital health approach to help rural adults reduce hazardous drinking and chronic pain
A digital health program designed for adults in rural areas to reduce risky alcohol use while also addressing chronic pain through a streamlined, at-home approach.
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.