JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The United States (US) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that approximately 60,000 US youth are living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). US youth living with HIV (YLWH) have poorer outcomes compared to adults [1]. With Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions (ATN) support, new trials of youth-centered interventions to improve retention in care and medication adherence among YLWH are underway.

Objective:

Our objective is to use a computer simulation model, the Cost-effectiveness of Preventing AIDS Complications (CEPAC) - Adolescent Model, to evaluate selected ongoing and forthcoming ATN interventions to improve viral load suppression among YLWH and to define the benchmarks for uptake, effectiveness, durability of effect, and cost that will make these interventions clinically beneficial and cost-effective.

Methods:

This protocol, ATN 161, establishes the ATN Modeling Core. The Modeling Core leverages extensive data - already collected by successfully completed National Institute of Health (NIH)-supported studies - to develop novel approaches for modeling critical components of HIV disease and care in YLWH. As new data emerge from ATN trials during the award period about the effectiveness of these interventions, the CEPAC-Adolescent simulation model will serve as a flexible tool to project their long-term clinical impact and cost-effectiveness. The Modeling Core will derive model data input parameters and create model structure to reflect key aspects of HIV acquisition, progression, and treatment in YLWH. The ATN Modeling Core Steering Committee, with guidance from ATN leadership and scientific experts, will select model-based analyses to prioritize, as well as provide feedback on derivation of model input parameters and model assumptions. Project-specific teams will help frame research questions for model-based analyses, as well as provide feedback regarding project specific inputs, results, sensitivity analyses and policy conclusions.

Results:

N/A

Conclusions:

The ATN Modeling Core will provide critical information to guide the scale-up of ATN interventions and the translation of ATN data into policy recommendations for YLWH in the United States.