The Collaboration to Enhance Access for Suppression to End HIV

cease-hiv-logoThe Collaborative to Enhance Access for Suppression to End HIV (CEASE-HIV) is a project generated by the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and located within the THRIVE Center at the Impact Institute at Northwestern University. The study is designed for population-centered health homes (PCHHs) within the Chicagoland area to join in collaborative learning sessions to integrate specialized strategies from Seattle's Max Clinic Low Barrier Care Model (LBC) into their existing HIV primary care sites.

In partnership with CDPH, CEASE-HIV brings together CDPH-funded PCHHs providing a "one-stop shop" for people with HIV, including HIV primary care and wraparound support services. Throughout this experience, PCHHs will work alongside a variety of national experts and dedicated coaches to explore the LBC model and strategies, develop low-barrier care replications that are locally responsive and identify essential practices to guide future program implementation in real-world settings.

The CEASE-HIV research study will unfold in four phases:

  • Phase 1: Explore the processes of adopting and adapting LBC strategies among PCHHs in the learning collaborative
  • Phase 2: Explore the processes and costs associated with implementing LBC strategies among participating PCHHs
  • Phase 3: Evaluate the effectiveness of LBC strategies on rates of sustained care and viral suppression (VS)
  • Phase 4: Assess the sustainability of LBC strategies

Over the course of 5 years, CEASE-HIV plans to accelerate progress towards the goals and strategies of the Illinois Getting to Zero (GTZ) plan by implementing innovative approaches to expand access, fill gaps in care, and ensure sustained care and VS. Study findings will inform Ryan White-funded clinics throughout the country which can contribute to achieving EHE (Ending the HIV Epidemic) goals.

CEASE-HIV will use collaborative learning and implementation strategies to transform HIV primary care and wraparound services and pilot evidence-informed low-barrier care strategies that meet the complex needs of people living with HIV who are unable to reach sustained VS.

CEASE-HIV aims:

  • Facilitate the adoption, adaptation, and implementation of LBC strategies by PCHHs using a learning collaborative
  • Evaluate site-specific and system-wide effectiveness of integrated LBC strategies at improving sustained care and VS
  • Assess the implementation cost and sustainment of LBC strategies among PCHH

CEASE-HIV is a collaboration among Northwestern University, the Chicago Department of Public Health, CDPH-funded agencies and a group of national experts across a range of fields.

Project Details

  • Dates: August 2022 - May 2027
  • Funding Source: National Institute of Mental Health
  • Grant Number: R01MH132149

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