Gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men (SMM), who are at disproportionately high risk for HIV infection, are also less likely to achieve viral load (VL) suppression compared to other groups. Research is needed to identify preventable structural, psychosocial, and behavioral factors that influence VL suppression for the purposes of developing effective early intervention strategies. Moreover, the successful implementation of TasP and U=U messaging is a necessary component of the strategy to end the HIV epidemic, but rigorous research is needed to inform its successful implementation. This project aims to address these issues with two studies grounded in the Social Ecological Model (SEM) to simultaneously examine both VL suppression and implementation barriers surrounding U=U from multiple levels of influence. Study 1 will involve longitudinally following 250 newly diagnosed SMM, capitalizing on an existing cohort tracking HIV seroconversion, to examine predictors of durable VL suppression as well as any potential risks associated with implementing U=U. In Study 2, we will use focus groups conducted three times over five years to inform implementation of U=U messaging.
Project Investigators
Christian Grov
Distinguished Professor, Department of Community Health and Social Sciences
