While the number of new HIV infections and AIDS cases continues to decline in the U.S, the Bronx is still home to approximately 25,000 people living with HIV, with almost 500 residents newly diagnosed and nearly 500 die each year. About one in four new HIV diagnoses in New York City occurs among Bronx residents with most identifying as Black and or Hispanic.
To address this disparity, the Montefiore Health System https://www.montefiore.org, and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine https://einstein.yu.edu, were awarded a three year $975,000 grant titled Building Equity: Intervening Together for Health (BE InTo Health) to tackle Bronx HIV disparities. The grant begins August 1, 2021 and concludes July 31, 2024.
The grant was awarded by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYCDOHMH) to explore how a secure text and video messaging platform can be used to improve care and outcomes by keeping patients and providers closely connected.
The two institutions can use the platform to have safe discussions on important care details concerning medication adherence and the challenges that prevent patients from following care recommendations.
As part of the BE InTo Health grant, providers at Montefiore will adapt a proven intervention known as E-VOLUTION first developed with funding from HRSA. E-VOLUTION has several components to include an automated two way text messaging intervention such as reminders to take medications, educational health materials and health assessments, along with live text and video messaging available between providers and patients.