mHealth plan to help HIV patients in Uganda manage mental health, blood pressure, and HIV together
Official title: An mHealth implementation strategy to address the syndemic of mental illness, hypertension, and HIV in Uganda
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11590735 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A mobile-health approach is being tested to help people living with HIV in Uganda manage depression, anxiety, alcohol use, and high blood pressure alongside HIV 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 12, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $10,800 |
| NIH project number | 3R33MH134565-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11590735 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People living with HIV in Uganda (and potentially similar populations in the U.S.) who have or are at risk for depression, anxiety, alcohol use disorder, or hypertension.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without access to mobile technology or those not experiencing the targeted comorbidities may see limited benefit.
What this research studies
This program adapts Medly Uganda to detect and support co-occurring mental health and cardiovascular issues in people living with HIV. It builds on an existing Uganda study infrastructure and focuses on integrating care in real-world HIV clinics. Participants may interact with a mobile tool for screening, guidance, and secure communication with healthcare workers. The study aims to reduce caregiver burden while improving patient outcomes through a syndemic-aware, patient-centered approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, patients could experience better mental health, blood pressure control, and overall HIV care through a streamlined, phone-based support system.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary work suggests mobile health can support integrated care, but this exact syndemic-focused approach is being tested.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schwartz, Jeremy Ian — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Schwartz, Jeremy Ian
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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.