ALIVE: long-term follow-up of people who inject drugs and HIV in Baltimore
AIDS Linked to the IntraVenous Experience (ALIVE) Study
This project follows people who inject drugs in Baltimore to track HIV, other infections, substance use trends, and overall health as they age.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11171906 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I would join a long-running local study that follows people who inject drugs over time to learn about HIV, hepatitis C, substance use (including new drugs like fentanyl and xylazine), and aging-related health problems. Participation typically includes regular interviews, health checks, and blood tests, and connects information from medical and community sources. The team uses these data to shape prevention, treatment, and support services tailored for people with HIV and substance use. The goal is to focus on whole-person health—not just viral suppression—but also chronic conditions, frailty, and mental well-being.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who currently inject drugs or have a history of injection and live in or near Baltimore, including people with or at risk for HIV, are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not inject drugs, live far from Baltimore, or cannot attend local visits are unlikely to receive direct benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to better prevention, treatment, and support services that reduce HIV transmission and improve overall health and aging outcomes for people who inject drugs.
How similar studies have performed: This continues the long-running ALIVE cohort, which has already produced many important findings about HIV, substance use, and hepatitis C, so the approach is well-established.
Where this research is happening
Baltimore, United States
- Johns Hopkins University — Baltimore, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehta, Shruti H — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Mehta, Shruti H
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.