The University of Miami AIDS Research Center on Mental Health and HIV/AIDS - Center for HIV & Research in Mental Health (CHARM)Research Core - EIS

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PROJECT SUMMARY: EQUITABLE IMPLEMENTATION SCIENCE (EIS) CORE (E) Based on CHARM strategic growth, significant local and regional investigator need, the National Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Plan and National HIV/AIDS Strategy, and the importance of equitable implementation science (EIS) in S. Florida, US South, and the US generally, we propose a new EIS Core in CHARM as part of our transition from a Developmental to a Full Center. The US HIV epidemic is regionally concentrated in the US South, with Miami-Dade County (MDC) a leading HIV epicenter and priority region of the EHE plan. Within MDC, HIV disparities that reflect those across the US and in the South (e.g., race/ethnicity, sexual identity, and urban vs. rural) are prominent. Given the regional and demographic HIV disparities, there is an urgent need for equity-focused implementation practice, research, and expertise to end our local, high priority epidemic. Numerous evidence-based interventions (EBIs) have demonstrated efficacy in addressing HIV disparities in MDC and populations who experience health disparities in the US South, but lack of EBI adoption, implementation, and sustainment in community and clinical settings impede EHE progress. Relatedly, investigators and community collaborators require expertise in equitable implementation practice and research to fuel implementation efforts. Without an explicit focus on equitably scaling up and disseminating EBIs, disparities will worsen. As such, EIS is key to achieving the EHE goals in MDC, the US South, and the US. The overarching goal of the newly proposed Equitable Implementation Science (EIS) Core is to equitably implement and disseminate EBIs to reach communities who could benefit the most. More specifically, the Specific Aims for the EIS Core are as follows: 1. To serve as a regional and national resource for early career and established investigators new to EIS devoted to the study of HIV, mental health and community engaged research; 2. To support HIV and mental health scientists in developing implementation science projects (e.g., K or R-level NIH grants or a CHARM pilot application) via consultations; and 3. To create pathways to stakeholder-engaged implementation research and practice. Accomplishing these Aims will involve key activities including but not limited to an annual EIS symposium and boutique mentoring program, EIS workshops and seminars, EIS consultation services from local and national experts, and partnering with the Dev Core for Program Planning Micro-Grants to facilitate building trusted relationships between investigators and stakeholders to support locally relevant EIS research. The EIS Director and Co-Directors have expertise and NIH funding in EIS. Developing an infrastructure at the University of Miami to support EIS is critical to achieving EHE goals and developing a cadre of EIS scientists who can support the development of future EIS research at UM, in our region, and nationally. Adding the EIS Core to CHARM will contribute new key activities that are synergistic with the other Cores. The EIS Core will provide consultations, training, and mentoring that are key to EIS practice and research that can facilitate equitably Ending the HIV Epidemic in MDC and beyond.