Cash for tests: new strategy to boost HIV screening in vulnerable women

This study tested whether offering small cash rewards ($25-$40) encourages more HIV testing among African American, Latina, and low-income women who face barriers to testing. Over 300 women from community organizations (like homeless shelters and domestic violence agencies) were randomly assigned to receive either standard HIV education and referrals or the same plus financial incentives for testing. The goal was to see if rewards help overcome obstacles like cost, access, and mistrust, and to determine if this approach could be widely adopted.