Dallas, TX

What is an Intervention Community? 

Of the 16 study communities participating in HPTN 096, eight of them were randomized to participate as intervention communities. Within the intervention study communities, all local activities designed to support viral suppression and PrEP uptake in Black MSM will continue, including all enhanced activities implemented under the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. In addition to these ongoing efforts, the study intervention, which is an integrated strategy made up of four components (peer support, health equity, intersectional stigma reduction and social media influence), will be implemented in the intervention communities. The outcomes of the study will be determined by comparing viral suppression rates and PrEP uptake in Black MSM between the intervention and standard-of-care (SOC) communities. Cross-sectional assessments (baseline and post-intervention) will take place in all intervention communities, as well as HPTN 096-specific community engagement that will support both the intervention and cross-sectional assessments. 

What is the HPTN 096 Cross-Sectional Assessment?   

The HPTN 096 study intervention is designed to improve two primary outcomes: viral suppression and PrEP uptake in Black MSM. The cross-sectional assessment will be used to measure one of these outcomes, specifically PrEP uptake in Black MSM. There will be two assessments in all study communities (both intervention and SOC) – the first at baseline and the second after the 3-year intervention ends. The cross-sectional assessment will be conducted in 100 Black MSM in each study community at baseline (total of 1600 Black MSM), and in 200 Black MSM in each study community at the end of the intervention (total of 3200 Black MSM). During the cross-sectional assessment, each participant will be asked to provide a blood sample and complete two questionnaires. Participants will be recruited at locations where Black MSM gather – like Pride events, bars, bookstores, etc. – as well as via referral by people who have already participated in the assessment. The baseline cross-sectional assessment will take place in the four pilot study communities (Dallas, TX, Houston, TX, Montgomery, AL and Greenville, SC) between April 1 and September 30, 2022.  

The two entities in Dallas, TX who are conducting the baseline cross-sectional assessment are: 

Field Team: Abounding Prosperity 

Laboratory Partner: Prism Health 

What is CRISP (Culturally Responsive Intersectional Stigma Prevention)?  

The CRISP component is a comprehensive training, skills-building, peer exchange and quality improvement program designed to optimize the healthcare environment for Black MSM by addressing the intersectionality experience of anti-Black racism, sexual stigma, and HIV-related stigma at healthcare facilities. It will be implemented at two healthcare facilities in Dallas.  

Participating Heathcare Facilities  

• Abounding Prosperity  
  1705 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd suite c, Dallas, TX 75215 

• Parkland HIV Program 
  1936 Amelia Ct, Dallas, TX 75235  

How are Social Media Influencers helping the study?  

Because social media influencers (SMIs) have the potential to have a profound impact on the behavior of their followers, the HPTN 096 intervention includes a component that will be implemented by SMI who are followed by Black MSM in the southern US. The study affiliated SMI will teach their followers about the study and encourage them to participate in the cross-sectional assessments, the peer support intervention and health equity activities. In addition, they will create original content to provide ongoing and accurate information about HIV prevention and care in order to enhance knowledge and decrease stigma. The study teams hopes that the SMI’s followers will act on their suggestions (for example to get tested, protect themselves against HIV or engage in HIV care) and feel more comfortable talking about HIV. Up to 32 SMI (up to four in each intervention community) will conduct this part of the intervention.   

What is the Peer Support Program?  

In this component, peer support workers (PSWs) in Dallas and Montgomery are hired and trained to serve as role models and establish a mutual supportive relationship as someone with similar lived experiences. Peer Support Workers will listen and offer support in a respectful and nonjudgmental way; supporting in a way that promotes client empowerment and increased knowledge. They will share information and provide education on HIV-related topics and general health/well-being. Peer Support Workers will also support clients in connecting them to Black MSM-centered health and support services and resources.

What are we doing to foster Health Equity?  

The “health equity” component of HPTN 096 involves partnering with a local community-based organization in Dallas to leverage or build a coalition. The coalition will be supported to design and implement mobilization and advocacy strategies to address locally relevant social and structural barriers to HIV prevention and treatment for Black MSM in Dallas. The coalition will also work to shape community social norms within the local service sectors to be supportive of wide-scale adoption of HIV testing, PrEP use and treatment engagement to reduce HIV inequities among Black MSM. A selection process is underway for the  local community-based partner organization in Dallas.  

Local Service Provider Resources