“Together TakeMeHome”: A Pioneering Effort to Tackle HIV Epidemic
The world’s most popular gay dating app, Grindr, has taken on a vital role in a public health initiative aimed at curbing the spread of HIV. With support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Together TakeMeHome campaign aims to distribute up to 1 million free at-home HIV testing kits over the next five years. The program is funded by a $41 million grant from the CDC, and it’s set to revolutionize the way we tackle the HIV epidemic.
Grindr: The Key Player in the Fight Against HIV
Grindr’s role in the initiative is to make it easier for users in the US and Puerto Rico to order at-home HIV tests. With the launch of the Together TakeMeHome campaign, Grindr users will now see a “Free HIV Home Test” button in the app’s main menu. By clicking this button, users will be redirected to the Together TakeMeHome site where they can order their own testing kit.
FDA-Approved Testing Kit & Personalized Testing Reminders
The testing kit provided through the Together TakeMeHome program consists of an FDA-approved OraQuick device that uses mouth swabs and provides results in just 20 minutes. In addition, the Grindr app will allow users to set up personalized “Testing Reminders,” which will prompt them to get tested for HIV every three or six months.
Pandemic Leads to Decline in HIV Testing
The Together TakeMeHome program was created in response to the decline in the number of HIV tests administered nationwide during the Covid-19 pandemic. The program aims to remove barriers to testing such as stigma, discrimination, and lack of access to physical services, improving health, advancing health equity, and moving the nation closer to ending the HIV epidemic.
Program Availability & Focus on High-Risk Populations
The Together TakeMeHome program is available to anyone in the US and Puerto Rico over the age of 17, and individuals can order up to two kits every 90 days. The focus of the program will be on populations in the US that are disproportionately affected by HIV, including cisgender men who have sex with men, transgender people, and Black cisgender women.
According to the CDC, men who have sex with men account for 70% of new cases of HIV in the US. In 2019, white men in this demographic comprised 15% of the 34,800 HIV transmissions, while Black and Latino men comprised 26% and 23% of new cases, respectively.
Breaking Down Barriers to Tackle the HIV Epidemic
The distribution of HIV self-tests is a crucial step towards increasing awareness of HIV infection and preventing transmission among men who have sex with men, according to a study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine in 2019. By removing barriers to testing, the Together TakeMeHome program is making a significant impact in the fight against the HIV epidemic, improving health outcomes and advancing health equity for all.
