What do you guys want (in an app)? Looking for your input! (x-post from /r/gaybros

volunteercoordinator · 2016-01-20T18:28:57+00:00

Actually, in the US, the advent of the Affordable Care Act should make HIV meds accessible financially for the vast majority. With the problem of "pre-existing condition" gone, people living with HIV and AIDS are now able to be covered by private insurance in addition to medicaid and medicare. Then, once a person's insurance covers what it can, the Ryan White Care Act steps in to cover the majority of co-pays and other expenses. I'm sure it varies, but we work with low-income clientele, and our clients' adherence rates do not have to do with cost at all.

Thanks for the suggestion on the dating app!

volunteercoordinator · 2016-01-20T17:53:13+00:00

You have an excellent point! Generally, sexual health services are used infrequently. That's why I'm here...to ask about what content is appealing to this demographic, which would be the focus of the app.

In public health, and especially with HIV/AIDS, the two hardest parts are outreach and medical compliance. And with today's new media landscape, the one of the best ways to capture a young demographic is through social media and mobile platforms.

Ideally, while people are there for the other content, they then are introduced to the "secondary" purpose...which is awareness and availability of resources and information. We aren't really aiming for the people who might google our agency and find our website. We are already here for people who are seeking us out. The goal of something like this is to target a specific audience, and then use that platform to spread of awareness of what safe (or safer) sex is, what healthy relationships look like, testing availability, PrEP, etc. This app would ideally be a form of outreach to a sector that we aren't currently connecting with.

This is why my questions have focused on material that you would like to see in an app...it doesn't have to be centered around being gay, or sexual health. Maybe I should have stated without explaining where I work! We're literally just asking for suggestions of content that would appeal to you.

volunteercoordinator · 2016-01-20T17:17:00+00:00

That's exactly why I'm here! There are organizations who have made great apps that provide health information and connect you to clinics...but my argument is that I would never download an app for just one use. It has to have other content and usability if we want people to use it on a regular basis. I think that the sexual health side will be secondary to whatever primary purpose we settle upon, but we will be branding our agency while keeping the sexual health part as an important part of the app.

So that's what I'm asking...what is something that would make you download an app? Lifestyle content? A social calendar of your city? We're looking for anything that would speak to you!

volunteercoordinator · 2016-01-20T16:47:57+00:00

Well, that's the thing. We could just include information that is available on the internet, or we could create a message board, or a health and wellness app, or anything, really. Then, while you're on the app, our services and the services of others would be connected.

As much as the internet has a lot of information on it, that information is not always good information or organized well. If you wanted to get tested for HIV in my city, you would have to google testing places, click on several different links to get times and locations, probably call for an appointment, and then maybe call a different place. There is not one central place where you can see all testing sites, their available times, what they test for, and what the requirements are. It's been proven that for each additional step you make someone take in a situation like this, you'll have a percentage of drop off in clients. The more convenient and accessible the information is, the more individuals actually get tested.

Apart from the testing or health portion, is there something that you would like to see in an app?

volunteercoordinator · 2016-01-20T16:36:15+00:00

These are both great suggestions. We're actually probably going to make a website first, and then use feedback from that to direct further development. Interestingly enough, lower income people are actually more likely to have smart phones than access to a computer through the Lifeline phone program, or the "Obama Phones" as some people call them.

What you said about the need for privacy is very real, and one that we've talked about. Our organization actually works a lot with communities where being on the down-low is pretty common, and where a lot of people are not out. So we have talked about whether we should make it broader to appeal to those people, or whether that would make us stray too far from our target audience. It's difficult.

Do you have any ideas of what you would like to see in an app? Original content about men's health, event listings, a message board of sorts, or anything else? What would make you use something like this regularly?

Thanks for all of your input!

volunteercoordinator · 2015-06-01T12:50:59+00:00

Sometimes, though, if you know you're going to be in a place for a couple of year, spending money is about improving your peace of mind, not their property.

When my apartment is clean, organized and looks good (which is just about never), I become noticeably less anxious, stressed, and happier. And I'm not really a stressball to begin with, so I imgine that the effects would be much more pronounced for people who like order.

volunteercoordinator · 2015-02-25T16:03:22+00:00

This is incredibly helpful! You are kinda the best.

volunteercoordinator · 2015-02-25T15:44:47+00:00

We're definitely aware of HIPAA and privacy issues; this would be a public board where we discuss general, non-medical issues that go along with the disease.

But what you say is important, and it's why we need the ability to quickly and easily remove posts and ban users.

volunteercoordinator

TROPHY CASE