Abstract
Improving mental health, body image, and financial stability is paramount to achieving viral suppression and maintaining HIV-negative status for minoritized communities. The purpose of this paper is to describe the lessons learned from maintenance of an HIV prevention and wellness program during the COVID-19 pandemic. A three-session program was implemented in a hybrid format to account for county-wide restrictions and reopening processes. Lessons learned include the utility of a hybrid format, importance of CBPR partnership, innovation in virtual platform, value of social media presence and upkeep, and use of multiple methods to ascertain evaluative data. Sustaining an HIV prevention and wellness program requires strong research collaborations and ongoing engagement with priority populations and the flexibility to pivot as needed.
Highlights
Several unmet needs have been recognized in Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and Black transgender women living in the Deep U.S South which contribute to high disease rates, poor health outcomes, and socioeconomic challenges [1,2]
Gallup polls suggest a population rate of 3% for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) in the Memphis, TN area, which is consistent with reported national rates [3]
Abuse history, higher psychological distress, and perceived discrimination based on sexuality have been reported at higher-than-average rates for black MSM and transgender women [4]
Summary
Several unmet needs have been recognized in Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and Black transgender women living in the Deep U.S South (subset of nine states) which contribute to high disease rates, poor health outcomes, and socioeconomic challenges [1,2]. Gallup polls suggest a population rate of 3% for individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) in the Memphis, TN area, which is consistent with reported national rates [3] Among these unmet needs are mental health concerns, body image concerns, and providing safe living spaces. Abuse history, higher psychological distress, and perceived discrimination based on sexuality have been reported at higher-than-average rates for black MSM and transgender women [4]. In Tennessee (project site), 20% of respondents identifying as transgender were unemployed, 34% were living in poverty, 28% experienced housing discrimination, and 17% experienced homelessness in the past year [7] These known social determinants of health increase personal vulnerability for HIV
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