We conduct and publish original research that provides deeper understandings of our communities, driving forward innovations in health, substance use treatment and HIV prevention. We partner with researchers both locally and nationally to address gaps in knowledge regarding how HIV affects our communities.
There exist many barriers to taking daily, oral PrEP. Numerous studies have shown that the efficacy of PrEP is highly dependent on daily use and adherence. The PCORI PrEP Study is a clinic-based, multi-site, randomized, two-arm study to compare the effectiveness of two mobile technologies designed to support PrEP adherence and continuation. Participants are followed throughout the course of a year and their study visits coincide with the health visit at the Strut sexual health and wellness center. Compensation for this study is $75 per visit with 3 visits. There are additional study activities for which participants are compensated.
Eligibility requirements:
Investigators at the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and the University of California San Francisco are developing a novel point-of-care (POC) test to measure urine drug-levels to PrEP (Truvada only) for the first time, providing the opportunity to target and enhance adherence counseling during a routine clinical visit. This study involves collecting a one-time urine specimen to measure PrEP drug levels and administering a one-time survey which will ask questions about PrEP use, sexual behavior, motivators to use PrEP, and the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on PrEP use. Compensation for this study is $50.
Eligibility requirements:
In 2018, San Francisco AIDS Foundation programs including the Elizabeth Taylor 50-Plus Network, TransLife and Programa Latino recruited participants in collaboration with ACRIA for the ROAH Study. The ROAH study examined the health and wellness of older adults living with HIV in our community, and found that the majority of people described their physical health as excellent or good, nearly all participants were receiving antiretroviral therapy, and over 90% reported having an undetectable viral load.
The DISCOVER study is a clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of Descovy (a candidate PrEP medication) to prevent HIV in men who have sex with men and transgender women. The study enrolled 5,400 participants in the United States, Canada and Western Europe. The study demonstrated that Descovy is effective for HIV prevention with non-inferiority to Truvada and that Descovy has an improved renal safety profile for those who have kidney-associated complications.
Current: In partnership with San Francisco State University (SFSU), an applied research project to assess bio-psycho-social needs of Spanish Speaking Communities living on the San Francisco Streets
Past: In partnership with SFSU and UC Berkeley (UCB), an applied research project to assess the ability of rural immigrants to receive HIV testing and counseling, PrEP information and counseling, HIV care and support or mental health services in rural California
Past: In partnerships with SFSU and UCB, an applied research project to assess and identify health challenges including the prevalence of illness, point of entry to health care, retention and continuum of treatment (in the United States, and /or Mexico or cyclic transits), and their use of the Affordable Care Act services.
The STEP Study was conducted with participants in the substance use counseling program of SFAF (The Stonewall Project), to determine how The Stonewall Project changed meth use, sexual risk-taking behavior and HIV health. Participants reported reductions in methamphetamine use and sexual risk-taking behavior while using methamphetamine. The Stonewall Project is a harm reduction-based substance use treatment program of San Francisco AIDS Foundation that provides services to gay/bi and other men who have sex with men.
PACE was designed to determine the impact of several strategies to reduce Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) among gay bar patrons in San Francisco. The study revealed that media campaigns, normative feedback and structural interventions such as free water in bars were able to reduce BAC by 30%.
Up to 2018, PrEP clinical studies had largely excluded trans people as study participants, leaving unanswered questions about the effects of PrEP on gender-affirming hormone therapy and vice versa. To study this question, SFAF, in collaboration with UCSF, conducted a study with trans people taking gender-affirming hormones and PrEP. Results are pending.
The steps of the HIV care cascade often function as an obstacle course for individuals who have been newly diagnosed with HIV. A new HIV diagnosis must be confirmed, usually by methods that take several days, and then individuals must link to medical care for screening labs and antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation, a process that often requires insurance enrollment or changes. These steps can be time-consuming and difficult to navigate logistically and emotionally.
The RAPID approach, pioneered at UCSF’s Ward 86 HIV clinic, seeks to collapse the many steps of the care cascade and simplify the process of ART initiation. In the RAPID model, patients receive immediate ART, including through starter packs, even as other aspects of their care are being arranged. The Ward 86 model began through a system of same or next-day referrals from testing sites around San Francisco. The “Test and Be Treated” or TBT study, supported by the California HIV Research Program, seeks to streamline the process of ART initiation even further.
Research presented at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2026, plus info from our medical director on "what this means for you."
Far fewer people than expected began taking injectable PrEP in the first few years since its approval. A recent article in JAIDS explores--what's going on?
From once-yearly injectable PrEP to new HIV meds requiring less frequent dosing, Liz Highleyman summarizes in-progress HIV and PrEP research.
In a phase 3 study, people living with HIV were able to successfully switch from complex regimens to a once-daily tablet.
The massive loss of federal funds for HIV research, and cuts to research mentioning “diversity” or transgender people will cripple our ability to end the HIV epidemic. Dr. Monica Gandhi weighs in.
Long-acting pre-exposure prophylaxis could be a game-changer, but only if it’s accessible to those who need it most.
New research presented at CROI 2025 paves the way for Gilead Sciences to pursue Phase 3 testing of a highly-anticipated once-yearly formulation of long-acting injectable PrEP.
Study emphasizes the importance of including adolescents in HIV prevention research to prevent delays of medication approvals for this age group.
