START: Services for Telehealth and Rapid Testing - A campus and community partnership to serve those at risk for excessive alcohol use and HIV

Increasing substance use and HIV infection among minority young adults age 18-24 years is a growing public health concern. Approximately 25% of all new HIV infections are among youth, and nearly 80% of new HIV youth infections occur among Blacks and Hispanics. Those who drink excessively are also more likely to contract HIV, suggesting efforts to reduce excessive alcohol use and HIV transmission on college campuses are extremely important. In response to congressional efforts to serve minority populations at risk, the START program (a three year grant) aims at reducing excessive alcohol use and increasing HIV rapid testing on a minority serving institution. START consists of three key components: 1) conducting a needs assessment exploring stigma and perceptions of alcohol use counseling and rapid HIV testing to develop a culturally-competent campaign; 2) partnering with community and campus organizations to develop Telehealth, an innovative technologically-advanced strategic brief intervention (SBI) alcohol counseling system; and 3) increasing campus capacity for rapid HIV testing. Within the first year of implementing START, over 1,200 students have been exposed to our culturally competent campaign, 34 students have participated in Telehealth, and over 75 students have received rapid HIV testing and counseling. Initial implementation suggests the START program is increasing awareness for Telehealth alcohol counseling and rapid HIV testing, thereby reducing excessive alcohol use and subsequent risky behaviors that may lead to HIV transmission. The START program may aid similar health professionals on college campuses to utilize methods, such as Telehealth, to reduce health disparities among the minority college population.