Speeding up detection of new HIV cases using social networks and genetic tracing
Rapid Response to Incident HIV Infection through Social Network Strategies and Molecular Epidemiology to Inform Partner Services
This project tests using people’s social connections and viral genetic information to find recent HIV infections faster and link affected communities in the Southern U.S. to prevention and care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chapel Hill, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11124068 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or someone in your social circle has a new HIV diagnosis, researchers will ask about social contacts (not just sexual or drug partners) and invite those contacts to join testing and services. They will also use HIV genetic cluster detection to spot linked infections and help public health teams respond faster across counties and rural areas. The team works with local health departments and community groups to keep outreach respectful, confidential, and useful. The goal is to reach people missed by traditional partner services and connect them sooner to prevention or treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are people newly diagnosed with HIV (acute or recent infection) and members of their social networks in affected communities, especially in the Southern U.S.
Not a fit: People without recent HIV exposure or diagnosis, and those outside the study regions or not connected to affected social networks, are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help people with recent HIV exposure get tested and connected to prevention or treatment faster, reducing onward transmission.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier work using partner services, social network recruitment, and molecular HIV cluster detection has shown promise separately, but combining these approaches across rural and cross-jurisdiction networks is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Chapel Hill, United States
- Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill — Chapel Hill, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Dennis, Ann — Univ of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: Dennis, Ann
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.