04/27/2021
By Shanna Thompson

Consider joining CPE in discussing the evaluation of the Black Women First (BWF) project presented by Angela Wangari Walter Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.W., and her colleagues Serena Rajabiun, Ph.D., M.A., M.P.H. and Cecilia Flores-Rodríguez, Ph.D.

In this CPE Brown Bag meeting, the research team will review the project design and mechanisms for this large-scale multi-site evaluation.

If you would like to join us on May 21, 2021 from noon to 1 p.m., please email us at cpe@uml.edu for the Zoom link.

Title: Evaluation of evidence informed approaches to improve care and treatment for Black women living with HIV

Presenters

  • Serena Rajabiun, Ph.D. M.A, M.P.H.
  • Angela Wangari Walter, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.S.W.
  • Cecilia A. Flores-Rodríguez, Ph.D.

Abstract
Black women with HIV are disproportionately impacted by the disease than women of any other racial and ethnic group. Addressing the socio, economic, physical and mental health challenges, stigma, structural and interpersonal racism, and the lack of prioritization of Black women with HIV is imperative to achieve viral suppression.

The Black Women First (BWF) Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider (ETAP) aims to support and guide 12 demonstration sites across the U.S. by developing, evaluating, and disseminating evidence informed interventions that engage and retain Black women with HIV in care and treatment. The BWF ETAP is collaborating with demonstration sites to build sustainable, replicable models of women centered HIV care that are grounded in the lived experience of diverse Black women, and coordinate health and social services to reduce barriers and improve health outcomes. Our evaluation approach will examine implementation processes and outcomes of bundled interventions and disseminate findings to inform the replication of interventions to Ending the Epidemic (EtHE).

This project is funded by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), HIV/AIDS Bureau, Ryan White Part F, Special Projects of National Significance (HRSA/SPNS).

The BWF ETAP is a collaboration between University of Massachusetts, Lowell (UML), AIDS United (AU), The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI), The Center for Innovation in Social Work and Health at the Boston University School of Social Work (BU/CISWH), Impact Marketing + Communications (Impact), and our Advisory Council of Black women with HIV and health care providers.

Center for Program Evaluation
The mission of the Center for Program Evaluation (CPE) is to conduct research on program evaluation methods as well as to offer evaluation planning, consulting, training and services for the university, regional and global community. CPE offers program evaluation services that support the university’s missions of research, teaching, and service to the community and industry for both faculty and students.