ENHANCE: Integrated HIV and NCD Screening Among Migrant Communities in Europe
We are pleased to announce the new ENHANCE (Integrated Testing for HIV and NCDs Amongst Migrants in Europe) community-led, mixed-methods pilot research programme designed to generate evidence on the feasibility, acceptability and short-term effectiveness of integrating HIV screening with screening for selected non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among migrant communities. Funded by Gilead Sciences Europe Ltd., the programme is coordinated by Africa Advocacy Foundation (AAF), London, in collaboration with community-based partner organisations across four European cities: London, Malmö, Berlin and Brussels. The Malmö site will be guided by our local lead researcher, Dr. Niclas Winqvist, an Associate Professor and Researcher in Clinical Infectious Medicine at Lund University. The programme will run for close to two years from September 2026 to January 2028.
Access to preventive healthcare remains an important public health concern for migrant communities across Europe. Barriers such as language differences, stigma, limited awareness of available services and difficulties navigating healthcare systems can affect people’s opportunities to access screening and timely follow-up care. Addressing these challenges requires approaches that listen to communities, build trust and explore how preventive health services can become more accessible, acceptable and responsive to people’s needs.
An integrated approach to community health
ENHANCE explores the integration of HIV screening with screening for hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes and chronic kidney disease (CKD). By bringing these screening activities into community settings, the programme seeks to understand whether an integrated approach can offer a more acceptable and accessible way for migrant communities to engage with preventive healthcare.
The programme combines practical screening activities with research designed to capture both measurable outcomes and participants’ experiences. Quantitative data will help assess screening participation and related outcomes, while qualitative interviews and focus group discussions will explore perceptions, preferences, barriers to access, confidentiality concerns, stigma and experiences of community-based screening. Importantly, ENHANCE is a pilot research programme. Its purpose is to generate evidence that can inform future practice and research, rather than assume that the integrated approach is already proven effective.
Noaks Ark Mosaik: Connecting research with communities in Malmö
In Malmö, Noaks Ark Mosaik brings its experience in community engagement, HIV prevention, testing, stigma reduction and support for people who may face barriers to healthcare access. Working with community members, peer and lay health workers, researchers and healthcare stakeholders, the organisation contributes to the implementation of integrated screening activities and the collection of evidence on participants’ experiences and perceptions.
Community engagement is central to this work. By involving participants in conversations about screening preferences, communication, privacy, trust and follow-up, the programme seeks to understand what makes health interventions more acceptable within different community contexts. Appropriate referral and follow-up support are also important components of the programme. Participants with screening results indicating a potential health concern should receive relevant information and support to access appropriate healthcare services, in accordance with the study protocol. The earlier pilot experience in Malmö has been well received, providing a foundation for further exploration through the ENHANCE research programme.
Collaboration for better-informed public health practice
ENHANCE creates opportunities for collaboration between community organisations, healthcare professionals, researchers, peer workers and other stakeholders. Through implementation across four European cities, the programme will generate evidence that can help partners understand local needs, compare experiences and identify opportunities for improving community-based screening approaches.
For Noaks Ark Mosaik, this work builds on its commitment to health equity, community empowerment and reducing barriers to preventive healthcare.
An invitation to collaborate
Improving access to preventive healthcare requires shared learning and meaningful partnerships. ENHANCE welcomes dialogue with healthcare providers, public health researchers, community organisations, faith leaders and other stakeholders interested in inclusive, community-responsive approaches to health screening. By listening to communities and generating practical evidence, we can contribute to future approaches that better reflect people’s needs and experiences. Together, we can help inform more accessible and equitable approaches to community health across Europe.
Kindly reach out to us if it’s something you’ll love your community to benefit from.
Project: ENHANCE: Integrated Testing for HIV and NCDs Amongst Migrants in Europe
Lead organisation and coordinator: Africa Advocacy Foundation (AAF), London
Lead Researcher: Prof. Dr. Ina Danquah
Malmö partner: Noaks Ark Mosaik, Sweden Funder: Gilead Sciences Europe Ltd.
Participating cities: London, Malmö, Berlin and Brussels
