PrEP-WISE: A peer-led program to boost PrEP use among marginalized Black cisgender women
Official title: PS24-063, MARI: Refining and pilot testing an intervention to improve PrEP uptake among marginalized Black cisgender women PrEP-WISE
Funded at State University of New York at Albany · NIH-11423359 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A peer-led program called PrEP-WISE aims to help Black cisgender women in New York start and stay on PrEP to prevent HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Albany NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $349,851 |
| NIH project number | 5U01PS005278-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11423359 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are cisgender Black women in New York State who are at risk for HIV and may benefit from PrEP, as well as PrEP providers involved in care and prevention.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not at risk for HIV or not considering PrEP may not benefit from this intervention.
What this research studies
This project will refine and pilot test PrEP-WISE, a peer-led intervention grounded in behavioral theories to increase PrEP uptake among Black women who are at higher risk for HIV. Through focus groups with Black women and PrEP providers, the team will fine-tune the manual and content, then theater-test the approach. The study will enroll 185 participants total (cisgender Black women and PrEP providers for refinement, plus 160 women in a randomized trial to measure PrEP uptake at 3 months). Results will inform whether the approach could be scaled to reduce HIV risk in this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, PrEP-WISE could increase PrEP initiation and adherence among Black cisgender women, lowering HIV risk in a high-need group.
How similar studies have gone: Prior peer-led and theory-informed behavioral interventions have shown promise in improving PrEP uptake in targeted populations, but this exact approach is novel for Black cisgender women in this setting.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Albany
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Walcott, Melonie — State University of New York at Albany
- Study coordinator: Walcott, Melonie
Related research
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A large project in South Africa tests whether giving HIV self-test kits through men’s social networks, with phone support, can lead to more men starting PrEP and using HIV testing.
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A community-driven project in the Bronx will use system dynamics to identify practical ways to help people at risk for HIV start and stay on PrEP.
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CARES: A practical program to help adolescent girls and young women use PrEP in Africa
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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.