Universal Basic Income and Structural Racism in the US South: HIV Care

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS · Dec 15, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how providing a monthly cash payment, known as Universal Basic Income (UBI), can improve HIV care for Black men living in the southern United States, specifically in Arkansas. The goal is to see if giving $500 a month for six months will help these men access and stick to their HIV treatment better, ultimately leading to better health outcomes. The researchers believe that having this extra financial support can empower participants and strengthen their social connections, which are important for managing their health.

To join the study, participants need to be at least 25 years old, identify as Black or African American, and have received an HIV diagnosis from a doctor. They should also earn a low income, meaning their annual income is less than about $58,320 for a single person. Participants will be asked to share information about their job-seeking efforts and their finances each week, and they must be willing to allow the research team to access their medical records. This research aims to address the historical challenges faced by Black men in accessing healthcare and to improve their overall health through innovative financial support.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. be at least 25 years old;
• • 2. self-report as having received from a medical professional a diagnosis for HIV;
• • 3. have an annual income up to 400% of the federal poverty threshold (the 2023 federal poverty threshold is defined as an annual income of less than $14,580 for single adults) in the 12-month period prior to study enrollment;
• • 4. be able to understand and speak English and to provide written and verbal informed consent;
• • 5. plan to remain in the central Arkansas area for the duration of the study period;
• • 6. be willing and able to provide weekly information about all activities related to seeking employment and to share financial and income-related information with the study team;
• • 7. self-identify as Black or African American;
• • 8. have been assigned the male gender at birth;
• • 9. be willing to provide medical releases to allow project staff to access healthcare records, and
• • 10. in need of HIV care services (defined as having a detectable viral load meaning \>200 copies/mL on most recent viral load test or not having attended a HIV medical care visit in the past 6 months, excluding any visits to the emergency department or rooms or urgent care clinics)
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • -