Better HIV prevention for young Black men who have sex with men who use illicit drugs
Network-based study design, statistical, and modeling solutions for HIV among populations that use illicit substances: Informing interventions and policy in real-world settings using existing data
Using existing Chicago data, researchers will create network-based methods to understand how HIV prevention and treatment protect young Black men who have sex with men who use illicit substances and their partners.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kingston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11362959 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
I am part of—or similar to—a group of young Black men who have sex with men and sometimes use illicit drugs. Researchers will analyze existing Chicago network data (uConnect, PrEP Chicago, Neighborhood and Networks) and run simulations to see how prevention and treatment reach people through sexual and drug-use networks. They will build statistical models and sample-size formulas to measure 'spillover,' meaning how one person's care can affect others in their network. The aim is to guide programs and policies that protect whole communities, not just single patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Young Black men who have sex with men in Chicago who use illicit substances or are part of connected sexual or drug-use networks are the most relevant candidates for this work.
Not a fit: People who are not part of these networks—such as women, people who do not use illicit substances, or individuals living outside the Chicago study areas—may not see direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could lead to HIV prevention and treatment programs that reduce infections across whole social and drug-use networks, improving protection for people like me.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies show PrEP and treatment-as-prevention can reduce transmission beyond treated individuals, but measuring these 'spillover' effects in marginalized, substance-using populations is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Kingston, United States
- University of Rhode Island — Kingston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Buchanan, Ashley Lynn — University of Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Buchanan, Ashley Lynn
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.