Most people living with HIV served by the University of Virginia Ryan White Clinic live in rural communities and travel a significant distance to get to and from the clinic. In addition to the distance they must travel to receive care, most patients face additional barriers to care such as HIV stigma, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use, intimate partner violence, or poverty.
To better support their patients’ well-being and ability to stay in care, the University of Virginia created a smartphone app, Positive Links. This app supports people living with HIV by providing a virtual community, tools to help track adherence and wellness behaviors, educational resources, and more.
I was privileged to be able to speak with Kim Williams, a grandmother, poet, and patient of University of Virginia Ryan White Clinic about her experiences with the Positive Links app.
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