WELLNESS WEB 2.0 Coastal Bend Wellness Foundation Alison Johnson & Hillary Vallejo

Outreach and Recruitment Target population Youth and young adults ages HIV+ MSM of Color Our data shows: In Texas - African Americans and Hispanics account for 79% of new HIV infections in Texas Youth and young adults account for 57% of all new HIV infections in Texas 80% of new positives identified in 2014 reported MSM sexual activity as their primary risk

Outreach and Recruitment Target population: South Texas Area 3,309 people living with HIV (PLWH) 257 were newly diagnosed with HIV 159 reported MSM as the primary mode of exposure (64%) 61 newly diagnosed HIV+ were ages13-24 (24%) Corpus Christi HSDA: 831 PLWH (25%) 54 newly diagnosed (21%) 565 Black or Hispanic PLWH (68%) 41 PLWH were ages (5%) 439 PLWH reported MSM (53%) 2014 Texas DSHS Data

Outreach and recruitment strategies Collaborate with separately funded CBWF Outreach programs: DSHS funded HIV testing programs targeting MSM and African American YNOT – LGBT youth advocacy program Collaborate with CBWF FQHC Clinical staff & Ryan White Case Managers Collaborate with DIS & HIV Surveillance Maintain an active presence on social media platforms and social networking apps Raise awareness about Wellness Web program Campaigns to promote HIV status awareness, care engagement and retention Peer Volunteers

Outreach & Recruitment Settings CBWF Outreach Programs: Streets, bars, clubs, LiveChat Pass out flyers, brochures on Wellness Web Community mobilization events Example: National HIV Testing Day CBWF FQHC Clinical Staff & Ryan White Case Managers Flyer, brochures, etc. In-reach; in-person introduction by Social Media Specialist Local Health Department Flyer, brochures, etc. In-person introduction when possible by Social Media Specialist Referral made by DIS or HIV Surveillance

Outreach & Recruitment Settings Social Media Platforms: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube Campaign messages: promoting linkage to care, social support, medication adherence and HIV-related health information Example campaigns targeted towards linkage to care: “Live longer. Live Stronger.” “Get connected.” “Are you in?” Managed by Social Media Coordinator & Social Media Specialists Social Networks Apps: Grindr, Growlr, Jack’d, Scruff and Adam4Adam Active presence – Passive approach Schedule HIV testing appointments Connect and retain target population at different stages of the HIV care continuum Managed by Social Media Coordinator & Social Media Specialists

Outreach & Recruitment Challenges Access to Social Media Platforms and/or Social Networking Apps Internet/Smart phones with data plans and/or WiFi Frequently changing numbers, limited number of text messages Language barriers – Large Hispanic, Spanish-speaking population Cultural influences & common occurrence of individuals seeking health care only once an illness has severely progressed

Outreach & Recruitment Challenges Mistrust of online information Frequently changing screennames on social networking apps could make follow-up difficult Social Networking Apps Guidelines & Restrictions Change the purpose of social media and social networking engagement Age Demographic-wide range 13 years to 34 years

Determining Eligibility Eligibility: Minority - African American/Black; Hispanic/Latino Men who have sex with Men Youth and Young Adults, ages 13 to 34 years old HIV status: Aware of their HIV status, but have never been engaged in care Aware HIV+ but have refused referral to care HIV+,out of care HIV+ but are unaware of their HIV status HIV+ but have not achieved viral load suppression Willing and able to access social media/social networking information

Screening & Enrollment Process Screening will take a series of questions, a dialogue of open-ended questions Demographics (DOB, Race/Ethnicity) Sexual history, sexual orientation, sexual preference, etc. Technology/device most used to access internet Social media/social networking accounts used HIV medical history First diagnosed HIV+ Last medical appointment

Screening & Enrollment Process What is your screening and enrollment process? Screening In-Social Media/Social Network App engagement Eligibility Questionnaire Inform about program criteria Referral Eligible: WW2.0 Non-Eligible: Ryan White Enrollment In-person Social Media Specialists

Challenges in determining eligibility Potential challenges: Documentation/Identification of age Proof of HIV+ status Defining those “out of care” and “retained in care” Disclosure of MSM sexual risk

DISCUSSION Alison Johnson | Hillary Vallejo |