What We Do
The Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV Interventions (ATN) research program aims to defeat the HIV epidemic among adolescents and young adults in the United States. The overarching goal of the ATN is to increase awareness of HIV status in youth and, for those diagnosed with HIV, increase access to health care. The ATN develops and conducts behavioral, community-based, translational, therapeutic, microbicide and vaccine trials in HIV-at-risk and HIV-infected youth ages 13 to 24 years, with a focus on the inclusion of minors.
ATN research is focused on interventional studies, conducted collaboratively and independently, aimed at the reduction of new HIV infections among at-risk youth and improvements in numbers across the HIV care continuum among adolescents and young adults living with HIV who are medically underserved, of low socio-economic status, sexual and gender minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender populations, as well as those whose sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, or reproductive development varies from traditional, societal, cultural, or physiological norms), and/or racial/ethnic minority constituency including African-American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, Hispanic, and/or substance abusing youth. Research projects will target highly impacted geographic regions and leverage cross-sector collaborations with community and public health authorities, and Federal agencies.
The ATN research studies will focus on five high priority topic areas that aim to address substantial and disproportionate gaps in health outcomes across the HIV prevention and care continuum for youth:
- Undiagnosed HIV infection
- Persistent new HIV infections
- Poor HIV care engagement
- Poor ART adherence and viral suppression
- Adverse HIV health outcomes from COVID-19