Impact of geographic mobility on PrEP and HIV care outcomes among Latino gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men
José E. Diaz, PhD, Research Assistant Professor and Fellow, Translational Program of Health Disparities Research Training in Downstate’s STAR Program is conducting this study, in collaboration with Hong Van Tieu, New York Blood Center. Immigrant and migrant Latino gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) experience disparities in HIV prevention (e.g., lower PrEP uptake, adherence, and persistence; later and more advanced HIV diagnoses) and HIV treatment (e.g., lower ART adherence; less viral suppression; greater care disengagement) relative to their peers. This study addresses the critical knowledge gap regarding the impact of geographic mobility on HIV prevention/treatment outcomes among this group. Geographic mobility refers to the short-or long-term movement or travel of individuals, which can include short-term trips for sexual partnering, relocation for seasonal work, domestic or international travel to visit family, and international migration. We will utilize survey data, qualitative in-depth interviews, and novel geographic mobility mapping to characterize mobility patterns and their links to status-relevant HIV prevention/treatment outcomes (via biomarkers and self-report) among 80 immigrant and migrant Latino GBMSM in New York City (NYC). Findings from this study have the potential to inform tailored interventions to improve PrEP/HIV care among mobile Latino GBMSM men. In addition the findings may prove timely, as conversations and policies related to immigration (and travel) raise serious concerns for HIV prevention/treatment efforts among immigrant and migrant Latino GBMSM.
MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS)
Deborah Gustafson, MS, PhD and Tracey E. Wilson, PhD are Co-Principal Investigators of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) / Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) / Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS) is a collaborative research effort that aims to understand and reduce the impact of chronic health conditions—including heart, lung, blood, and sleep (HLBS) disorders—that affect people living with HIV. For decades, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), had supported the separate MACS and WIHS cohort studies. MACS was a study of gay and bisexual men, while WIHS was a study of women who had other risk factors for HIV. In 2019, the NHLBI became the primary steward of the new MWCCS. For this effort, the NHLBI is working in close collaboration with the NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) as well as several co-funding institutes across the NIH. The STAR Program’s Women’s Interagency Health Study (WIHS) had been following women living with HIV and a comparison group of at-risk HIV uninfected women for 30 years. Data gathered here at Downstate have contributed to over 900 publications to date on a range of topics including the impact of HIV on women’s health, aging, cardiovascular health, genomics, hepatitis C, pulmonary conditions, renal issues and neurocognition. The NIH refunded the Brooklyn study site as one of 14 centers to participate in the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS). All of the former WIHS sites as well as the former MACS sites, which had been following men for over 40 years, are enrolling participants into a common protocol. Participants in the MACS and WIHS are asked to participate in the MWCCS. Researchers are also recruiting new participants with a special focus on hard-hit population groups, such as black and Hispanic men and women and residents of southern states. The MWCCS is designed to investigate a spectrum of questions relating to the basic science, clinical science, and epidemiology of HIV infection in the US, with a focus on comorbidities among men and women living with HIV. Major areas of investigation include: cardiovascular and pulmonary, neuropsychological, aging, cancer, psychosocial, and health disparities. Enrollment into MWCCS began in 2021 and more than 5,700 participants have been enrolled. More information about the MWCCS can be found at http://mwccs.org or by contacting Susan Holman, Brooklyn Site Project Director at susan.holman@downstate.edu or Susan Brockmann, the Brooklyn Site Study Coordinator, at susan.brockmann@downstate.edu.
What is PEP and How Does it Help Prevent HIV?
If you or someone you know has been exposed to HIV, post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be an option. PEP is a short course of prescription medicines that can help prevent HIV from taking hold in the body. The #GetMeonPrEP STAR Program in Brooklyn, New York helps individuals get the assistance they need to understand and access PEP services. In this blog, we’ll discuss what PEP is, how it works, and why it’s important for those who are at risk for HIV infection. What is Post-Exposure Prophylaxis? Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) is a combination of antiretroviral medications taken very soon after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent the virus from taking hold in your body. It requires a prescription from a doctor and should be started as soon as possible after potential exposure—ideally within 48 hours—for maximum effectiveness. It is not guaranteed to prevent infection but may significantly reduce the risk when taken correctly. Once prescribed, typically 28 days of treatment must be completed. How Does PEP Work? PEP works by preventing the replication of HIV in the body before it can become established and cause infection. It does not work in people already infected with HIV nor does it work if someone has already been exposed more than 72 hours prior to starting treatment. For best results, it should be started within 48 hours of potential exposure. The sooner you start taking PEP after possible exposure, the better your chance of avoiding infection with HIV. Why Is PEP Important? HIV remains one of the most serious public health concerns in both developed and developing countries around the world today. Every year approximately 1 million Americans are diagnosed with HIV, many due to unprotected sexual contact or sharing needles when using drugs intravenously. Getting tested regularly for sexually transmitted infections (STI) and getting on PrEP can help protect you from becoming infected with HIV or transmitting it to someone else; however, if you have had an unprotected encounter or think you might have been exposed to the virus recently, then talking to your doctor about getting on PEP as soon as possible could help reduce your risk of contracting HIV considerably. If you think you may have been recently exposed to HIV or are at high risk for contracting it due to lifestyle choices or behavior, then discussing post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) with your doctor can help reduce your chances of becoming infected if started within 48 hours of potential exposure. The STAR Program in Brooklyn NY offers free counseling on PrEP and PEP for adults age 18 and older, so take advantage of their resources today! Taking preventive measures like these can go a long way towards protecting yourself from contracting STI like HIV and ensure that you stay healthy for years to com
