In New York, the achievement of 90-90-90 goals is jeopardized not by limited access to affordable care and treatment, but by persistent disparities in HIV viral suppression (VS). Complex behavioral and structural barriers to achieving and maintaining VS require coordinated, combination approaches to meet medical and social service needs. In 2009, at 28 Ryan White Part A (RWPA)-funded agencies, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) launched a multi-component HIV Care Coordination Program (CCP) directed toward the most vulnerable persons living with HIV (PLWH) in NYC. A systematic CCP effectiveness study began in 2013 (R01 MH101028; PIs: Irvine, Nash). Findings to date suggest that the CCP is superior to usual care for vulnerable subgroups of PLWH, but there remains substantial room for improvement in short- and long-term VS. In an immediate evidence-to-practice feedback loop, the DOHMH is implementing a refined CCP model in 2018. Greater focusing, tailoring and cues for delivery of key components are expected to increase CCP engagement, reach, fidelity, scalability, effectiveness and impact. The aim of the proposed study is to estimate the effect of the revised (vs. original) CCP on timely VS (within 4 months of enrollment), using experimental methods.

Stepped-wedge design. The 17 veteran CCP implementers re-awarded to provide RWPA Care Coordination services in 2018 will be randomized to immediate or delayed implementation of the revised CCP model, with delayed implementers continuing to provide services under the original model until their assigned start date 9 months later, so that we can rigorously and contemporaneously compare effects of the original and revised CCP for the outcome of timely VS. The outcome measure will be derived from the New York City HIV surveillance registry, a population-based data source of longitudinal laboratory (VL, CD4) testing records on all diagnosed NYC PLWH, regardless of medical provider within NYC, and for periods extending before and after program enrollment or discontinuation.

Inclusion Criteria:

• The original CCP permits enrollment of HIV-infected adults or emancipated minors who are eligible for local Ryan White Part A services (based on residence in the NYC grant area and a household income <435% of federal poverty level) and are 1) newly HIV-diagnosed; 2) out of care >9 months or never in care; 3) missing visits or irregularly in care; 4) exhibiting high VL, VL rebound, or antiretroviral therapy (ART) resistance; 5) new to ART; 6) incompletely adherent to ART; or 7) facing a potential barrier to adherence
• The revised CCP permits enrollment of HIV-infected adults or emancipated minors who are eligible for local Ryan White Part A services (based on residence in the NYC grant area and a household income <435% of federal poverty level) and are 1) newly HIV-diagnosed; 2) out of care >9 months or never in care; 3) virally unsuppressed at the most recent known viral load test in the past 12 months; 4) living with untreated hepatitis C; 5) pregnant; 6)undergoing a change in ART regimen or 7)experiencing other high risk for falling out of medical care or becoming unsuppressed. For criteria (6) and (7), eligibility is conditional upon Self-management Assessment results, unless additional criteria are met.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The stepped-wedge experiment is limited to HIV patients who are virally unsuppressed at the time of program enrollment. Individuals with VL <200 copies/mL at last test before or on the day of program enrollment will be excluded from the comparison of model effects on timely viral suppression (TVS).

Due to the legal restrictions (New York Public Health Law Article 21, Title III) and the confidential nature of HIV surveillance data in New York, public health authorities in New York City cannot release individual-level data on reported HIV cases for purposes other than ensuring appropriate HIV care. The NYC DOHMH staff are available to assist external researchers who may have further specific data questions or uses. Please send an email to hivreport@health.nyc.gov with questions or requests for additional information.