The Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S initiative (EHE) is a coordinated public health effort to reduce the number of new HIV infections and improve HIV outcomes in priority regions in the United States. Arizona is home to Maricopa County, one of those priority regions. Arizona is home to nearly 19,000 people living with HIV with only 68.7% who have achieved viral suppression, starkly below the 90% viral suppression goal. Further, rates of new infection highlight the need for HIV prevention efforts. Numerous community-based entities have and continue to work diligently toward ending the HIV epidemic. We believe that efforts that facilitate community-academic research partnerships can help build the network necessary to conduct local research that aims to reduce new infections, link and retain individuals in care, achieve viral suppression, improve quality of life, and reduce stigma–in line with the EHE and Phoenix Fast Track Cities goals.

With funding from the Arizona Biomedical Research Centre, the Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention (CHPDP) in the Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation, is hosting a series of events to:

(1)  Better understand the landscape of HIV clinical and social services and related needs

(2)  Explore opportunities for community-engaged research that will inform and improve HIV prevention and care of those living with HIV

(3)  Build a network of stakeholders, advocates, and allies interested in community-engaged research

By the end of this initial conference, attendees will be able to:

•   Understand the meaning and capacity of community-engaged research

•   Describe examples of successful community-engaged HIV research

•   Identify areas for collaboration and considerations for research