Study Location

North and South Carolina

The RESPOND study focuses on HIV response efforts in North Carolina and South Carolina, specifically in the Charlotte metropolitan region. Mecklenburg County, where Charlotte is located, is one of 50 priority jurisdictions identified under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative, which aims to reduce new HIV infections by 90% by 2030.

Outcomes

After approximately two years of formative research and community engagement, which began in late 2022, the study will evaluate the implementation of an Enhanced Social Network Strategy (eSNS) for increasing engagement in HIV services. Within North Carolina, this includes five counties surrounding Charlotte, with some public health outreach activities extending into the Midlands region of South Carolina.

Outcomes from the implementation of eSNS in the Charlotte region will be compared to routine Partner Services in the Raleigh region. Measures span effectiveness, network characterization, and implementation science outcomes.