The Evolution of HealthMpowerment

From a single digital intervention to a scalable research platform. 

Timeline of Development

2004 Development of HMP Theory and intervention are designed 2009 HMP 1.0 Launch HMP enrolls 50 young Black gay and bisexual men in an online intervention 2013 - 2015 Mobile-Optimized HMP HMP evolves into a mobile phone-optimized intervention and enrolls 474 young Black gay and bisexual men in North Carolina 2019 Evidence & Recognition Research demonstrates significant reductions in condomless anal intercourse and improved HIV-related outcomes. HMP is later recognized by CDC as a good EBI 2020 Mobile App Expansion HMP Stigma launches as a mobile app intervention using behavior change theory and gamification 2022 HMP Goes Global HMP is adapted across multiple countries, populations, health topics, and research studies 2023 HMP Legacy Platform Years of study-specific enhancements transform HMP into a flexible research platform used across diverse projects. 2025 HMP NextGen HMP NextGen receives a $1.9 million SBIR award to support the next generation of scalable, configurable digital health research Future Arrow Continuing Innovation AI-enabled capabilities, analytics, wearable integration, and new research workflows continue to expand the platform

Recognition & Evidence

For more than a decade, HealthMpowerment (HMP) has evolved through partnerships with researchers, study teams, and participants. What began as an evidence-based digital health intervention has grown into a flexible platform supporting a diverse portfolio of research studies, populations, and health topics. 

Today, HMP NextGen builds on this foundation with a modern, configurable platform designed to help researchers launch digital health interventions faster while benefiting from years of behavioral science, implementation experience, and continuous technology innovation. 

For more than a decade, HealthMpowerment (HMP) has evolved through partnerships with researchers, study teams, and participants. What began as an evidence-based digital health intervention has grown into a flexible platform supporting a diverse portfolio of research studies, populations, and health topics. 

Today, HMP NextGen builds on this foundation with a modern, configurable platform designed to help researchers launch digital health interventions faster while benefiting from years of behavioral science, implementation experience, and continuous technology innovation. 

HMP 1.0

The original HealthMpowerment platform was developed through federally funded research to deliver evidence-based HIV health information, behavior change support, and community engagement in a digital environment. In 2009, it enrolled 50 young Black gay and bisexual men in North Carolina to an online intervention.

It was then transformed into a mobile phone-optimized, online intervention and between 2013-2015 enrolled 474 young Black gay and bisexual men living in North Carolina aimed to build community and facilitate supportive relationships.

HMP 1.0 infographic
HMP 1.0 Findings

Recognition & Evidence

The mobile-optimized version of HMP 1.0 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in condomless anal intercourse, as well as improved HIV-related communication and HIV care outcomes through rigorous research. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified HealthMpowerment (HMP) as a good evidence-based intervention (EBI) for HIV risk reduction. Good EBIs are scientifically sound and provide sufficient evidence of efficacy. This helped establish its reputation as an innovative digital health approach.

Recognition & Evidence

The mobile-optimized version of HMP 1.0 demonstrated statistically significant reductions in condomless anal intercourse, as well as improved HIV-related communication and HIV care outcomes through rigorous research. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has identified HealthMpowerment (HMP) as a good evidence-based intervention (EBI) for HIV risk reduction. Good EBIs are scientifically sound and provide sufficient evidence of efficacy. This helped establish its reputation as an innovative digital health approach.

Mobile App Expansion

Guided by participant feedback and the growing importance of mobile technology, HMP evolved from a web-based intervention into a mobile app platform with the HMP Stigma study. This was an online intervention for young Black gay and bisexual men aged 18-30, designed to reduce sexual behaviors that increase likelihood of HIV transmission and promote health and wellness. 

The mobile app was based on behavior change theories and incorporated gamification principles to drive participation and engagement. 

This transition improved accessibility, increased convenience for participants, and created new opportunities for engagement and intervention delivery. 

Screenshots from HMP Stigma

HMP Legacy Platform (HMP 2.0)

Over time, HMP was adapted and enhanced across numerous research studies around the globe. New features, workflows, and capabilities were developed to meet the needs of different populations, health topics, and research designs, creating a flexible platform that matured through real-world use. 

Screenshots of HealthMpowerment HMP

HMP NextGen

Building on years of research and implementation experience, HMP NextGen represents the next evolution of the platform. Designed with scalability, configurability, analytics, modern content management, and AI-enabled capabilities in mind, NextGen provides researchers with a powerful foundation for future digital health studies. 

HMP NextGen

Building on years of research and implementation experience, HMP NextGen represents the next evolution of the platform. Designed with scalability, configurability, analytics, modern content management, and AI-enabled capabilities in mind, NextGen provides researchers with a powerful foundation for future digital health studies. 

Continuing Innovation

HMP continues to evolve through a collaborative co-development model in which enhancements developed for one study strengthen the platform for future partners. As new research needs emerge, so do new capabilities, ensuring the platform remains at the forefront of digital health research. 

Continuing Innovation

HMP continues to evolve through a collaborative co-development model in which enhancements developed for one study strengthen the platform for future partners. As new research needs emerge, so do new capabilities, ensuring the platform remains at the forefront of digital health research. 

Built Through Research Partnerships

Unlike commercial software built for a single purpose, HMP has been shaped through years of collaboration between researchers, technologists, implementation teams, and end users. Each generation of the platform has incorporated lessons learned from previous studies, resulting in a research infrastructure that is both scientifically grounded and highly adaptable. 

This approach allows investigators to leverage a proven platform while still tailoring the participant experience, intervention content, and study workflows to their specific objectives. 

Built Through Research Partnerships

Unlike commercial software built for a single purpose, HMP has been shaped through years of collaboration between researchers, technologists, implementation teams, and end users. Each generation of the platform has incorporated lessons learned from previous studies, resulting in a research infrastructure that is both scientifically grounded and highly adaptable. 

This approach allows investigators to leverage a proven platform while still tailoring the participant experience, intervention content, and study workflows to their specific objectives. 

Looking Ahead

HMP NextGen is designed to support the future of digital health research. From participant engagement and intervention delivery to advanced analytics, AI-assisted personalization, wearable integrations, and emerging study designs, the platform continues to grow alongside the needs of the research community. 

Request Demo

Looking Ahead

HMP NextGen is designed to support the future of digital health research. From participant engagement and intervention delivery to advanced analytics, AI-assisted personalization, wearable integrations, and emerging study designs, the platform continues to grow alongside the needs of the research community. 

Request Demo

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