What is the L.I.F.E. Program?
The L.I.F.E. Program is a psychoeducational program for HIV-infected men and women that is designed to be simultaneously immune-boosting and risk-reducing. L.I.F.E. (an acronym for Learning Immune Function Enhancement) addresses specific psychological and social cofactors that can affect immune system functioning and, consequently, physical health.
   Cofactors include crisis coping skills, quality of doctor/patient relationship, grief & depression, nutrition and exercise, adherence to health routines, risky behavior, self-assertiveness, survival stress, trusted support, self-disclosure, and life goals. The premise of the program, bolstered by substantial research, is that consistently poor performance on these cofactors can compromise immune function, which affects symptom onset, the rate of disease progression, and survival time. Conversely, consistent, positive performance on the cofactors can enhance the immune response to HIV, slowing disease progression and promoting long-term survival.
 
Is there research to back up the premise of the L.I.F.E. Program?
Yes. The program is based on 30 years of medical research in the health sciences, particularly psychoneuroimmunology (PNI), which has demonstrated that psychosocial issues can influence immune function via nervous and hormonal mechanisms. PNI is part of the broader field called mind/body medicine. Many of the PNI studies over the past 15 years have focused directly on HIV-infected individuals, and strongly suggest that a patient's mental and emotional health and social situation are positively or negatively associated with outcomes in morbidity and mortality. PNI research centers and programs are now in place at several medical institutions around the country, including the Mind-Body-Spirit Program for HIV/AIDS at Harvard University/Deaconess Hospital, the Bio-Psycho-Social AIDS Project at the University of Miami Medical Center, the School of Nursing at Vanderbilt University, and the Zachariae Institute of Psychology at Aarhus University in Denmark.
 
Does the L.I.F.E. Program replace my patient's medical care or medication?
Absolutely not. The L.I.F.E. Program is designed to complement and augment primary medical care for the HIV+ individual. We believe the best treatment for HIV infection is a combination of (1) quality medical care, including antiretroviral medicine when appropriate, and (2) quality psychological care designed to enhance immune function by way of improved psychological functioning and health-related behaviors. We encourage participants in the L.I.F.E. Program to inform their medical providers about their participation in L.I.F.E., and welcome inquiries from medical and health professionals about the treatment partnership.
 
Is the L.I.F.E. Program a formal study?
Although the L.I.F.E. Program is designed primarily as a program serving clients, it is also designed for systematic pre- and post-program data collection and analysis. L.I.F.E. was recently awarded a contract with the California State Office of AIDS to conduct a clinical trial of the program's effectiveness in boosting immunity and reducing risk behavior. This trial will be conducted at four Early Intervention Program sites throughout the State. A similar contract award from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will allow us to collect additional data on the program's effectiveness.
   If your patient participates in the L.I.F.E. Program, we will be asking him or her to provide us with results of immune cell counts and viral load assays drawn just prior to his or her participation, and then shortly after completion. If you would like to discuss any aspect of your patient's involvement with L.I.F.E., please contact the Director, Jeffrey M. Leiphart, Ph.D., at jleiphar@shanti.org.
 
How does the L.I.F.E. Program stay on top of the latest research?
L.I.F.E. staff frequently review the current literature on HIV-related immunology and psychology, and save relevant articles in a digital archive using Biblioscape software. We then review the collected research, looking for new issues and cofactors to inform program participants, the community, and health professionals.
 
Do you maintain peer review of your work and the program?
Yes. The L.I.F.E. Program is guided by a Scientific Advisory Board composed of physicians and health researchers from various medical schools and research institutes. For a list of our Scientific Advisory Board members, please click here.

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Client Testimonials "My partner died two years ago, and since that time all I thought about was life without him. I was full of anger and pain. I began drinking heavily and forgot about taking my pills. My L.I.F.E. counselor helped me to see that there were possibilities beyond my life with John. Today, I am clean and sober and my viral load is undetectable! I miss John, but I know that I can move forward with my new life."          — Mario