# Neighborhoods, Networks, and the HIV Care Continuum among HIV-infected MSM in NYC

> **NIH NIH R01** · NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER · 2022 · $212,918

## Abstract

Abstract
Rapid HIV treatment and sustained viral suppression is one of the 4 strategies in the U.S. Department of
Health and Human Services (HHS) plan to end the HIV epidemic in America. HIV disparities among Black men
who have sex with men (BMSM) have been documented along all stages of the HIV care continuum, with
BMSM having higher morbidity and mortality rate, less likely to engaged in HIV care and achieve viral
suppression. While many factors influence engagement in HIV care, it is particularly important to understand
psychosocial deterrents such as stigma and medical mistrust among BMSM, as this population often
experience overlapping stigmas. Intersectional stigma, medical mistrust, and decreased likelihood of referral
for HIV or COVID-19 testing and treatment have been shown to be associated with reduced engagement in
care among minority populations and individuals living with HIV. Patient-provider relationship has been shown
to negatively influence engagement in HIV care; however, this association is not well document among BMSM
who are living with HIV especially in the context of a pandemic. The specific aims of the proposed research in
this 1-year Diversity Supplement are to: Aim 1. Using the baseline and follow-up data from the CASI,
determine the association between patient- provider interaction and perceived racism in healthcare and
engagement in HIV care (medical appointment attendance, antiretroviral medical therapy adherence, and viral
suppression) among BMSM; and examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on BMSM’s ability to navigate
the HIV care continuum. Aim 2. Conduct a qualitative sub-study involving in-depth interviews among 50
NNHIV participants who self-identify as Black using stratified random sampling based on viral load suppression
to: (a) Characterize experiences of provider interaction and perceived racism in healthcare among BMSM; (b)
Examine the ways in which patient-provider relationship influences navigation of the HIV care continuum, and
how it has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; (c) Characterize intersectional stigma associated with
COVID-19 and HIV and how it impacts navigation of the HIV care continuum and overall health outcomes
among Black MSM; (d) Identify strategies that participants believe should be implemented to improve patient-
provider interaction, reduce racism in health care and help BMSM navigate the HIV care continuum. This work
is a sub-study of the ongoing NIMH R01-funded longitudinal study called Neighborhoods, Networks and HIV
Care (NNHIV) among BMSM living with HIV who reside in New York City. The findings of this study will help us
elucidate the NNHIV quantitative data and advance our understanding of the ways in which the COVID-19
pandemic, patient-provider interaction and HIV and COVID-19 stigmas influence engagement in care and viral
suppression among BMSM.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10534034
- **Project number:** 3R01MH118960-04S1
- **Recipient organization:** NEW YORK BLOOD CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Hong Van Nhu Tieu
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $212,918
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2019-05-01 → 2024-02-29

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10534034

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10534034, Neighborhoods, Networks, and the HIV Care Continuum among HIV-infected MSM in NYC (3R01MH118960-04S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10534034. Licensed CC0.

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