The Black Treatment Advocates Network (BTAN) is the only collaboration of its kind that links Black Americans with HIV into care and treatment, strengthens local and national leadership, connects influential peers, raises HIV science and treatment literacy in Black communities and advocates for policy change and research priorities. BTAN is part of a commitment by the Black AIDS Institute to help raise HIV science and literacy in Black communities. BTAN is guided by the premise that when people understand the science of HIV/AIDS they are:
•less likely to participate in stigmatizing behavior;
•more likely to access treatment;
•better able to adhere to their regimens; and
•better positioned to influence HIV/AIDS policy. The mission of BTAN is to produce and support a nationwide network of highly trained Black treatment advocates who will (1) serve as educators and opinion leaders in their communities; (2) provide a pipeline of trained Black Americans for community advisory boards; (3) facilitate expanded Black participation in clinical trials; (4) increase early utilization of appropriate treatment; and (5) improve treatment adherence in Black communities. The goal of BTAN is to cultivate and support a national network of Black Treatment Advocates/Educators equipped with knowledge and skills to:
•Help link and retain people living with HIV/AIDS into appropriate care and treatment
•Increase demand for treatment
•Integrate biomedical and behavioral interventions
•Increase involvement of Black people in HIV treatment and prevention research
•Improve access to, and quality of, care in their home communities and nationally
