The National HIV Curriculum: Howard University’s Innovative Approach to Strengthening the Nation’s HIV Clinical Workforce

HIV has remained a stubborn burden in the African American community. HIV-experienced clinicians are critical for positive outcomes that align with the HIV care continuum. Howard University (HU) used the National HIV Curriculum (NHC,2015) via distance base technology to fill the void and strengthen HIV care, particularly among students and faculty at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). One major program success was HUs ongoing ability to access a dedicated core of health sciences faculty to champion the NHC. This approach ensured the successful integration of the NHC into the course offerings at the various HBCUs. The effective integration was accomplished despite the unequal challenge that the COVID-19 pandemic unleashed on the vulnerable communities served by our HBCUs. The project success was achieved through the development and strengthening of ongoing partnerships with our cohort of HBCUs, conducting ongoing needs assessments and responding promptly to the findings, emphasizing training opportunities in addition to the NHC, and providing on-demand technical assistance and resources to our partners. Howard University surpassed by 459% its original goal of engaging 1964 students to take the NHC. At the conclusion of the four-year project performance period 10,983 students completed all or part of the NHC.