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Background:The Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative sets a goal to virtually eliminate new HIV infections in the United States by 2030. The plan is predicated on the fact that tools exist for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment, and the current scientific challenge is how to implement them effectively and with equity. Implementation research (IR) can help identify strategies that support effective implementation of HIV services.Setting:NIH funded the Implementation Science Coordination Initiative (ISCI) to support rigorous and actionable IR by providing technical assistance to NIH-funded projects and supporting local implementation knowledge becoming generalizable knowledge.Methods:We describe the formation of ISCI, the services it provided to the HIV field, and data it collected from 147 NIH-funded studies. We also provide an overview of this supplement issue as a dissemination strategy for HIV IR.Conclusion:Our ability to reach EHE 2030 goals is strengthened by the knowledge compiled in this supplement, the services of ISCI and connected hubs, and a myriad of investigators and implementation partners collaborating to better understand what is needed to effectively implement the many evidence-based HIV interventions at our disposal.

Background:The US government created an initiative to end the HIV epidemic in the United States by the year 2030 (EHE). This multiagency initiative was structured around four pillars: Prevent, Diagnose, Treat, and Respond to improve HIV programs, resources, and service delivery infrastructure. In support of its research mission, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) has funded implementation research (IR) projects by addressing the four pillars and encouraging investigators to collaborate with local partners and Health and Human Services (HHS) grantees in 57 priority jurisdictions.Methods: This paper analyzed data from the NIH funded CFAR/ ARC supplement projects from 2019 to 2021. The Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework was used to characterize projects by stage of implementation. Results:The Prevent pillar was most frequently studied, with Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) being the most studied intervention. The most common partners were health departments, community-based organizations (CBOs), and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) framework was the most utilized to investigate implementation determinants, followed by the RE-AIM framework and Proctor model to assess implementation outcomes. Conclusion:Monitoring the projects resulting from NIH investments is fundamental to understanding the response to EHE, and achieving these results requires systematic and continuous effort that can support the generalizable implementation knowledge emerging from individual studies. There are some remaining gaps in the project portfolio, including geographical coverage, range of implementation outcomes being measured, and interventions still requiring further research to ensure equitable scale-up of evidence based interventions and achieve EHE goals.

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IntroductionDespite decreased rates of new infections, HIV/AIDS continues to impact certain US populations. In order to achieve the goals laid out in the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) in the US initiative, implementation science is needed to expand the sustained use of effective prevention and treatment interventions, particularly among priority populations at risk for and living with HIV/AIDS. Over 200 HIV-related implementation studies have been funded by the US National Institutes of Health. Therefore, a comprehensive review of the literature identifying implementation determinants (barriers and facilitators) and categorising implementation strategies across the continuum of HIV prevention and care in the USA is appropriate and needed to enhance current knowledge and help achieve the goals laid out in the EHE national strategic plan.Methods and analysisThis systematic review protocol follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Between November 2020 and January 2022, a broad database search strategy of Ovid MEDLINE, PsycINFO and Web of Science was conducted to capture implementation-related studies along the HIV prevention and care continuum. Articles were eligible for inclusion if they were: conducted in the USA, published after the year 2000, written in English, related to HIV/AIDS, focused on outcomes related to dissemination and implementation (ie, did not test/evaluate/explore implementation determinants or strategies) and were behavioural studies (ie, not basic science). We plan to conduct three systematic reviews to identify and categorise determinants and strategies associated with three HIV focus areas: pre-exposure prophylaxis, testing/diagnosing and linkage to care, and treatment. Determinants will be coded according to an adapted Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research 2.0. Implementation strategies and outcomes will be categorised in accordance with existing taxonomies and frameworks.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval is not applicable. No original data will be collected. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations and via online tools.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42021233089.