Positive Peers mobile app to support young people with HIV
Randomized Control Trial of Positive Peers mHealth app as a clinic-based intervention to optimize HIV outcomes among young people with HIV
This project sees if using the Positive Peers smartphone app together with local peer support helps people aged 13–34 living with HIV stay in care and reach viral suppression.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Case Western Reserve University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cleveland, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11238924 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you join, you'll use the Positive Peers app — a private smartphone program with wellness trackers, community forums, chat, blogs, and medication reminders — while clinic staff trained as peer administrators provide coaching and navigation. People aged 13–34 who are newly diagnosed, out of care, or not virally suppressed are randomly assigned to get the app plus usual care or to get usual care alone, and those who decline the app can join an observational group. The study runs through clinics in six U.S. Ending the HIV Epidemic jurisdictions and follows participants over time to measure clinic visits, medication adherence, app use, and viral load. Research staff will collect health records and app usage data to see whether the app-supported care leads to better HIV outcomes.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Young people aged 13–34 with HIV who are newly diagnosed, out of care, or not currently virally suppressed are the intended participants.
Not a fit: People who are already consistently engaged in care with durable viral suppression, or who do not have reliable access to a smartphone, are unlikely to see added benefit from this app-based approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the app could help more young people stay engaged in care and achieve viral suppression through peer support and practical self-management tools.
How similar studies have performed: Previous mobile health and peer-support programs have shown promise for improving HIV adherence and retention, but rigorous randomized trials focused on young people are still limited.
Where this research is happening
Cleveland, United States
- Case Western Reserve University — Cleveland, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Avery, Ann K — Case Western Reserve University
- Study coordinator: Avery, Ann K
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.