Collaborative to Enhance Access for Suppression to End HIV (CEASE-HIV)

The Collaborative to Enhance Access for Suppression to End HIV (CEASE-HIV) is a project generated by Chicago Department of Public health (CDPH) and located within the THRIVE Center at the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing 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 (PWH), including HIV primary care and wraparound supportive services. Throughout this experience, PCHH’s will work alongside a variety of national experts and devoted coaches to explore the LBC model and strategies, create replications of low barrier care that can be locally responsive, and identify essential practices that will guide future program implementation into real-life practice.

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

Phase 1: to explore the processes of adopting and adapting LBC strategies among PCHHs in learning collaboratives
Phase 2: to explore the processes and costs associated with implementation of LBC strategies among participating PCHHs
Phase 3: to evaluate the effectiveness of LBC strategies on rates of sustained care and viral suppression (VS)
Phase 4: to assess the sustainability of LBC strategies

Over the course of 5 years, CEASE-HIV plans to accelerate progress towards the goals and strategies in Illinois Getting to Zero (GTZ) plan by implementing innovative approaches to expand access, fill gaps in care, and to 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 specific aims are to:

Facilitate 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 implementation cost and sustainment of LBC strategies among PCHHs

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