Institute on Digital Health and Innovation

Announcing IDHI's latest grant in collaboration with One Cow Standing! This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities allows us to refine and evaluate our digital health intervention, HMP NEXT GEN. Swipe to learn more about the history of HealthMpowerment and our plans for the future of digital health.

Learn more about HMP: https://healthmpowerment.org/

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Florida State University Florida State University College of Nursing

NEW journal publication! To end the epidemic in the southern United States, a region that is heavily rural with high rates of HIV, it may be necessary to begin prevention conversations at younger ages and equip prevention and outreach workers with communication skills that leverage de-stigmatizing approaches. Read the full article about an exploratory study in Alabama to elucidate recommendations on improving testing rates among Black young s*xual minority men.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39163879/

Community recommendations for promoting HIV testing to Black young men who have s*x with men in the southern United States - PubMed Findings suggest that cultivating trust is salient to promoting HIV testing in BYMSM. To end the epidemic in the southern United States, a region that is heavily rural with high rates of HIV, it may be necessary to begin prevention conversations at younger ages and equip prevention and outreach work...

Read the full National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities blog post by Dr. Hightow-Weidman and Dr. Budhwani to learn more about our Tough Talks for COVID-19 app and research!

Even before the approval of , misinformation and false narratives about them flooded social media, leading to widespread hesitancy. Black young adults, especially those in the southern United States, were particularly hesitant, with early estimates showing only 42% were likely to accept the vaccine. This skepticism and rampant misinformation, coupled with systemic health care barriers that harm Black populations, made it imperative to find effective ways to reach and engage Black young adults living in southern states expeditiously.

We knew time was of the essence, so we developed a proposal to adapt the “Tough Talks” intervention that engaged young adults to promote HIV-related health into Tough Talks for COVID-19 or TT-C.

https://blog.nimhd.nih.gov/insights-2024/news_feed/breaking-barriers-empowering-black-young-adults-to-embrace-covid-19-vaccination Florida State University Florida State University College of Nursing

Breaking Barriers: Empowering Black Young Adults to Embrace COVID-19 Vaccination By Lisa Hightow-Weidman, M.D., M.P.H., and Henna Budhwani, Ph.D., M.P.H.Florida State University (FSU) College of NursingPosted Aug. 15, 2024 The COVID-19 pandemic was a frightening and uncertain time. Schools closed, office work went virtual, and countries shut their borders. In the early days of t...

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS! Research abstracts and innovation showcase submissions due 10/4/2024 for the first edition of the Artificial Intelligence in Infectious Disease Workshop 2024, to be held in Amsterdam from 12/5-12/6 as a hybrid program.

This novel program combines invited lectures, accepted abstracts, and innovation showcases creating a platform for collaboration between healthcare professionals and the AI technology sector, accelerating research on the effective use of AI and human-machine teaming in managing infectious diseases.

Clinicians must bring medicine into the future by stepping into the technology sector and embracing artificial technology. This revolutionary, dynamic forum will foster the partnership between AI technology and infectious disease medicine, ultimately enhancing patient care and clinical outcomes. By exchanging relevant knowledge behind the technology and the newest developments via abstract and innovation showcase submissions, providers will have the opportunity to quickly understand and adapt to the newest advancements.

Learn more: https://academicmedicaleducation.com/meeting/artificial-intelligence-infectious-disease-workshop-2024

Florida State University College of Nursing Florida State University

NEW paper for the RESTART study that aims to determine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a 4-week automated SMS text message intervention to increase stigma resistance and reduce self-stigma in people who use drugs.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39121478/

An Automated Text Messaging Intervention to Reduce Substance Use Self-Stigma (Project RESTART): Protocol for a Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot Study - PubMed DERR1-10.2196/59224.

Congrats to IDHI's Dr. Hightow-Weidman! Founded in 2018, the Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine of Florida (ASEMFL) informs Floridians of current and future science, engineering and medicine issues and addresses the associated challenges. The organization provides unbiased expertise for issues that concern the state and helps facilitate scientific interactions.

Dr. Hightow-Weidman is an internationally renowned expert in the development, implementation and evaluation of digital health interventions to address the HIV Care Continuum for adolescents and young adults. She has been at the forefront of translating evidence-based science into digital applications, specifically through the inclusion of game-based elements, self-monitoring and tracking and provision of support to increase engagement and impact health behavior. Read more: bit.ly/4doN4wK

Florida State University College of Nursing Florida State University

NEW journal article: This study uses data from two clinics in the Dominican Republic to examine client and healthcare worker (HCW) perceptions of and intersectional stigmas among people living with HIV.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39037457/

HIV and intersectional stigma among people living with HIV and healthcare workers and antiretroviral therapy adherence in the Dominican Republic - PubMed Findings highlight the importance of implementing strategies to address stigma, discrimination, and social marginalization, particularly within healthcare facilities.

New journal article! "In collaboration with partner clinics, we recruited 19 PrEP clients and 19 PrEP providers (n = 35) to participate in hour-long in-depth interviews. Although client interviews explored personal experiences with stigma, barriers, and motivators to PrEP and information preferences, provider interviews explored providers' perceived stigma in their clinic, perceived barriers and motivators to meeting clients' PrEP needs, and rapport building with clients."

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38916119/

Patient and Provider Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Access and Adherence in Black and Latinx Young Men Who Have S*x with Men - PubMed In the United States, the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has led to a substantial decrease in HIV prevalence and incidence. However, some populations, including young men who have s*x with men (YMSM) of color, continue to be disproportionately impacted, highlighting the need for tailored int...

New journal article! "In the qualitative data, four emergent themes about the forms, manifestations, and effects of intersectional stigma were (1) HIV, s*xual orientation, and gender identity disclosure; (2) Dual identity; (3) Challenges of finding and maintaining s*xual partners; (4) Coping and resilience. Overall, having to hide both one's s*xuality and HIV status had a compounding effect and was described as living 'a private lie.'"

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39030515/ *xuality *xualorientation

Living a private lie: intersectional stigma, depression and suicidal thoughts for selected young key populations living with HIV in Zambia - PubMed Effectively addressing stigmas and poor mental health outcomes among young HIV-positive MSM and TGW will require adopting a socio-ecological approach that focuses on structural interventions, more trauma-informed and identity-supportive care for young people with HIV, as well as strengthening of aut...

New journal article! Drug use, mental distress, and other psychosocial factors threaten HIV care for youth living with HIV (YLWH). We aimed to identify psychosocial patterns among YLWH and examine how such patterns shape outcomes.

Using baseline data from 208 YLWH enrolled in an HIV treatment adherence intervention, we performed latent class a**lysis on dichotomized responses to 9 psychosocial indicators (enacted HIV ; clinical and ; alcohol, ma*****na, and illicit drug misuse; food and housing insecurity; legal history). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39017755/

Syndemic Psychosocial Conditions among Youth Living with HIV: a Latent Class Analysis - PubMed Drug use, mental distress, and other psychosocial factors threaten HIV care for youth living with HIV (YLWH). We aimed to identify syndemic psychosocial patterns among YLWH and examine how such patterns shape HIV outcomes. Using baseline data from 208 YLWH enrolled in an HIV treatment adherence inte...

Screen today: https://fsu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_daN7XhDvNLAdI7s?r=magomus

Our team is rocking our new sweatshirts even with the summer heat because IDHI is just that cool. 😎 Want to get to know our team? bit.ly/IDHIteam

Spread the word! The Institute on Digital Health and Innovation in the College of Nursing at Florida State University is hiring a Director of Research Operations (remote position). Apply on the FSU Careers page, Job ID #57979 by July 16th. https://jobs.fsu.edu/

Florida State University Florida State University College of Nursing

Another new publication rolling in! Considering the importance of reducing stigmas to promote well-being and the need to elucidate how stigma influences health across various settings, we examined how experienced HIV stigma in Dominican Republic healthcare settings impacts ART adherence through internalized HIV stigma and whether race or s*xual orientation stigma moderates this relationship.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38916689/ Florida State University College of Nursing

A Moderated Mediation Analysis of HIV and Intersectional Stigmas and Antiretroviral Adherence in People Living with HIV in the Dominican Republic - PubMed Experiencing HIV and intersectional stigmas in healthcare settings may affect antiretroviral treatment (ART) adherence among people with HIV (PWH), given their need for frequent interactions with clinical settings and healthcare providers. Considering the importance of reducing stigmas to promote we...

NEW publication! In collaboration with partner clinics, we recruited 19 PrEP clients and 19 PrEP providers to participate in hour-long in-depth interviews about , barriers, and motivators to . https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38916119/

Florida State University College of Nursing

Patient and Provider Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Pre-exposure Prophylaxis Access and Adherence in Black and Latinx Young Men Who Have S*x with Men - PubMed In the United States, the use of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has led to a substantial decrease in HIV prevalence and incidence. However, some populations, including young men who have s*x with men (YMSM) of color, continue to be disproportionately impacted, highlighting the need for tailored int...

Looking for your next continuing education credit? This toolkit course, directed by IDHI's Dr. Hightow-Weidman, includes resources to help you lead interactive education sessions designed to empower people living with to take their regularly, recognize and fight HIV-related , and learn strategies to improve their overall well-being.

https://primeinc.org/online/living-well-hiv-patient-education-toolkit-healthcare-providers-optimizing-art Florida State University College of Nursing

Spread the word! The Institute on Digital Health and Innovation in the Florida State University College of Nursing is hiring a Director of Research Operations (remote position). Apply on the FSU Careers page, Job ID #57979 by July 16th. https://jobs.fsu.edu/

Florida State University

Learn more about the main findings from one of IDHI's studies with the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network , ATN 142: PrEPared, Protected, emPowered (P3) through this new infographic! P3 built upon previous research to design an app aiming to meet the complex and unique needs of young s*xual minority men and trans women who experience challenges taking and staying on .

*xualhealth

A HUGE congrats to our founding director and Associate Dean for Research, Dr. Hightow-Weidman, who has been elected to the Academy of Science, Engineering, and Medicine of Florida! The ASEMFL is comprised of the nation’s most distinguished scholars working in Florida, and Dr. Hightow-Weidman was elected for her pioneering research in digital health interventions. We are so proud!

Florida State University

New publication from the last cycle of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network! "In this national trial of young s*xual and gender minorities, HIV risk perception and condomless a**l s*x did not predict PrEP adherence. Targeting individual-level perceptions and behaviors will likely insufficiently address youth's suboptimal PrEP use. Future research should identify YSGM-specific adherence drivers and train providers to recognize such motivations."

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38583158/

*xualhealth

A new IDHI journal publication on the relationship between anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and prevention among s*xual and gender minoritized youth has found that more progressive state and local policies were each associated with increased use, and together, doubled the magnitude of this association. PrEP is underutilized among youth, and anti-LGBTQ+ policies may exacerbate this gap in coverage.

Florida State University College of Nursing

The relationship between anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and HIV prevention among s*xual and gender minoritized youth - PubMed More progressive state and local policies were each associated with increased PrEP use, and together, doubled the magnitude of this association. PrEP is underutilized among SGM youth, and anti-LGBTQ+ policies may exacerbate this gap in coverage.

In case you missed the e-pub last year, check out this Adolescent Medicine Trials Network publication about ATN 158: LifeSteps PrEP for Youth in the latest edition of AIDS Care.

Content that addresses PrEP , disclosing use, navigating insurance, and planning ahead in a nonjudgmental environment by trusted providers emerged as important components of a focused delivery of Life-Steps for PrEP for young s*xual minority men.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37748111/ *xualhealth

A qualitative exploration of how to support PrEP adherence among young men who have s*x with men - PubMed New HIV infections disproportionately affect young men who have s*x with men (YMSM). PrEP is effective in preventing HIV acquisition; however, adherence is critical and is often suboptimal among YMSM. Interventions addressing the unique PrEP adherence challenges faced by YMSM are needed. We conducte...

Check out this new, relevant paper by some of our collaborators!

"The goal of this study was to explore the implementation determinants of Our Plan, a couples-based DHI designed for new relationships of same-gender male couples and dyadic, s*xual partnerships...Most participants highlighted several relative advantages of Our Plan: increasing capacity to support couples, potential synergy with existing programs, and opportunities to increase patient engagement. Participants also discussed relative disadvantages: misalignment with organizational values in the provision of patient-centered models of care and low interest from some priority populations."

https://mhealth.amegroups.org/article/view/123385/html *xualhealth

mhealth.amegroups.org

In this Faculty Forward (bit.ly/3w0eKIn), Drs. Lisa Hightow-Weidman and Kathryn Muessig from the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation at Florida State University College of Nursing talk about the transformative power of interventions. They discuss the digital interventions they’ve researched and designed, the challenges they faced along the way, and a few future trends. Give the episode a listen!

Florida State University

Research opportunity through our partners at UNC:

Help us learn about young people’s views on HIV prevention or treatment studies during pregnancy! If you are between 15-24 years old and have ever been pregnant or are currently pregnant, you may be eligible to participate in an interview for our PREPARE research study. We want to hear from you! If you are interested in participating, please call us at (919) 307-5331 to learn more about the study, or scan the QR code to provide your contact info and our team will reach out! Interview participants will receive a $50 gift card.

Major barriers to uptake among s*xual minority men in the sample included uncertainty about PrEP efficacy and lack of PrEP education (information), concerns over potential side effects and cost (motivation), and difficulties in identifying authentic PrEP medications and managing PrEP care (behavioral skills). Facilitators include the perceived benefit of PrEP in improving the quality of s*x life and control over health. At the contextual level, we also identified barriers to PrEP access from a thriving informal PrEP market and stressors related to being s*xual minorities.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37156941/

Multifaceted Barriers to Rapid Roll-out of HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in China: A Qualitative Study Among Men Who Have S*x with Men - PubMed Our findings identified a need to invest in non-discriminatory public health messaging of PrEP, explore options for MSM-friendly provision of PrEP outside of traditional HIV care settings, and be attentive to the unique context of an established informal PrEP market in future PrEP initiatives.