Strengthening HIV prevention: Application of a research-to-practice framework

As the HIV epidemic continues to affect at-risk and vulnerable populations, providers strive to improve prevention programs, in part by seeking new in terventions with greater effects. Although interventions with scientific ev idence of effectiveness are vital to this effort, many challenges limit acc ess to research products. We examine key challenges and offer a framework f or moving research to practice, one in which research steps are Linked to p ractice steps and all these activities take place in a complex and dynamic environment. The Replicating Effective Programs (REP) project of the Center s for Disease Control and Prevention and other technology transfer activiti es illustrate the operation of this framework for HIV prevention. Further a ctions to improve technology transfer are called for. These include reducin g time from study design to practice; learning from field-based implementat ions; providing guidance about fidelity to, and tailoring of, science-based interventions; improving linkages among consumers, providers, and research ers; and seeking additional resources.