Project Prevent, Engage, Empower, Respond (PEER): An HBCU-Led HIV and Substance Use Primary Prevention Intervention

We share the process of implementing Project Prevent, Engage, Empower, Respond (PEER), a HIV and substance use primary prevention initiative led by Southern University and A&M College in partnership with the University of Iowa. Project PEER was developed to address the emerging needs of Black/African American college students (ages 18-25) residing in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a federal Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) priority area. Planning involved ongoing consultation with relevant Historically Black/College University (HBCU) and community stakeholders and triangulating multimodal primary and secondary data sources to inform implementation and continuous improvement efforts. Implementation included raising awareness about sexual health promotion and substance use prevention, bimonthly mobile HIV testing, disseminating prevention supplies and print-based materials, delivering the Prevention Plus Wellness evidence-based intervention, and broader community and social media outreach and engagement efforts. Lessons from PEER support the value of HBCU-led, community-academic partnerships that are flexible, culturally congruent, and young adult-driven.