Projects

How can we further reduce the rate of new HIV infections?

Providing communications and technical assistance services for multisectoral partnerships in Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign

Challenge

Despite the progress public health campaigns have made in the fight against HIV, efforts have been less successful for some groups, including African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, and men who have sex with men. Compared to Whites, the rate of new infections is higher among African Americans and Hispanics.

Men who have sex with men accounted for 70% of all new infections in 2014. In addition to dealing with the illness, people with HIV still face the added burden of stigma and discrimination. One proven approach to preventing HIV in at-risk communities is through public-private partnerships.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) asked Westat to assist its Division of HIV Prevention’s (DHP’s) National Partnerships Team to

  • Identify, engage, and mobilize public and private sector partners in HIV/AIDS prevention, including national campaigns and awareness days
  • Provide technical assistance and training to partners

Solution

Westat focused on the following tasks

  • Providing training and technical assistance to partners and grantees to improve their capacity for HIV prevention work
  • Recruiting additional national partners to promote the Let’s Stop HIV Together campaign (formerly the Act Against AIDS campaign)
  • Developing tools and resources to help partners and grantees with campaign messages
  • Providing support for national HIV Awareness Days
  • Promoting campaign materials and partnerships at national events and conferences

Results

As a result of our work, Westat

  • Transformed groups and individuals that already have partnership relationships with the National Partnership Team into “HIV Champions” to improve sustainability of partnerships
  • Provided technical assistance and communications expertise to CDC partners to support their HIV prevention initiatives
  • Developed tailored and customizable tools and resources to support partner outreach
  • Implemented in-person engagement events in cities across the country, bringing together hundreds of partner organizations and individuals 

Westat continues to work closely with DHP’s National Partnership Team in new project work supporting the Let’s Stop HIV Together Campaign. We help to foster partnerships and develop tools and resources that help further reduce the rate of new HIV infections, combat stigma and discrimination, and promote access to care for people living with HIV.

Insights

Deep Dive with Our Experts

view all insights
  • Perspective

    Diverse Journeys: Westat Women in Leadership

    March 2024

    In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re shining a spotlight on the remarkable women leaders at Westat. Their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and insights have helped…

  • Perspective

    Spotlight on Maternal Mental Health

    March 2024

    Mental health conditions are the most common complications during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies mental health…

  • Perspective

    Access to Birthing-Friendly Facilities for Maternal Care

    February 2024

    Preventable maternal mortality in the U.S. has grown considerably and spurred the federal government into action, most noticeably with the development of the White House…

Projects

Keep Reading

view all projects

How can we help?

We welcome messages from job seekers, collaborators, and potential clients and partners.

Get in Contact

Want to work with us?

You’ll be in great company.

Explore Careers
Back to Top