Community-Based Program to Prevent HIV/STD Infection Among Heterosexual Black Women

This report describes successful efforts by SisterLove, Inc., a community-based organization in Atlanta, Georgia, to develop, rigorously evaluate, and demonstrate the efficacy of Healthy Love, a 3-4–hour interactive, educational workshop, to reduce HIV- and STD-related risk behaviors among heterosexual black women. On the basis of the evaluation findings, CDC packaged the intervention materials for use by service provider organizations in their efforts to reduce HIV disparities that affect black women in metropolitan Atlanta, the South, and the United States. This report also describes initiatives by SisterLove after the efficacy study to increase the potential effectiveness and reach of the Healthy Love intervention and further address HIV-related disparities that affect black women. CDC’s Office of Minority Health and Health Equity selected the intervention analysis and discussion that follows as an example of a program that might be effective in reducing HIV-related disparities in the United States. The results of the randomized controlled efficacy trial highlight the potential of culturally tailored, interactive group intervention efforts to reduce health disparities.