What is it about?
This study examines the contributions of coalitions in multiple United States' cities to improving youths' access to HIV testing, HIV prevention, and HIV medical care. The coalitions in this study advocated for changes in local and institutional policies and practices to make sure that young people had access to community resources to protect their health and that these resources were developmentally appropriate. In the study, we interviewed people about the coalitions' work and what impact it had in their city.
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Why is it important?
Roughly 60,000 youth in the United States are living with HIV. Youth under age 24 are less likely to get HIV tested than adults. They are also less likely to access medical care after an HIV diagnosis. This study suggests that coalitions can identify and target meaningful changes to improve local conditions to benefit youth's health.
Perspectives
Coalitions are difficult to evaluate, yet they are an important way for community members to engage in solving local problems. It was a privilege to evaluate the 10 years of hard effort put forth by these coalitions. I hope this study leads to recognition of the value of coalitions to social change and also to the importance of addressing diverse policies and institutional practices that may impeded a young person's ability to take care of their health.
Dr. Robin Lin Miller
Michigan State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Structural and Community Change Outcomes of the Connect-to-Protect Coalitions: Trials and Triumphs Securing Adolescent Access to HIV Prevention, Testing, and Medical Care, American Journal of Community Psychology, August 2017, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1002/ajcp.12162.
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