Finding better ways to prevent HIV for men who have sex with men who use alcohol or methamphetamine
Leveraging data synthesis to identify optimal and robust strategies for HIV elimination among substance-using MSM
This project uses existing data to find which prevention and care strategies most reduce HIV risk for men who have sex with men who use alcohol or methamphetamine.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwestern University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318929 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You can think of this work as combining data from many past studies about alcohol and meth use and HIV-related behaviors among men who have sex with men. Researchers will use network epidemic models and other statistical tools to estimate how much alcohol and meth contribute to HIV infections and to test how different approaches—like substance-use treatment, condom promotion, PrEP, and medication adherence support—could lower new infections. They will also examine differences by race, age, and other groups to see who benefits most from each strategy. This project mainly analyzes existing human data rather than running a new clinical trial, so it may not require people to enroll in a new treatment.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Men who have sex with men who currently use alcohol or methamphetamine and who are interested in improved HIV prevention or care approaches.
Not a fit: People who are not men who have sex with men or who do not use alcohol or methamphetamine are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the findings could guide more targeted prevention and care programs that lower HIV infections among substance-using men who have sex with men.
How similar studies have performed: Past programs that combined substance-use services, PrEP, and adherence support have reduced HIV risk in some groups, but few large trials compare these approaches head-to-head or across subgroups.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Northwestern University — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Janulis, Patrick Francis — Northwestern University
- Study coordinator: Janulis, Patrick Francis
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.