Improving Hepatitis C Care for People Who Inject Drugs
Official title: Prospects for hepatitis C elimination in networks of people who inject drugs through improvements in the care continuum
Funded at University of Miami School of Medicine · NIH-11333521 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses computer models to understand the best ways to eliminate hepatitis C among people who inject drugs, especially those also living with HIV.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Miami School of Medicine NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Coral Gables, United States) |
| Project start | February 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $249,000 |
| NIH project number | 4R00DA056297-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11333521 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This research aims to benefit people who inject drugs, particularly those with hepatitis C and/or HIV, by informing better care strategies and public health policies.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not affected by hepatitis C or HIV, or those who do not inject drugs, would not directly benefit from the specific findings of this modeling work.
What this research studies
Many people who inject drugs in the U.S. are affected by hepatitis C, and often also by HIV. This project creates detailed computer models that simulate how hepatitis C and HIV spread within communities of people who inject drugs. By using these models, researchers can test different strategies for improving hepatitis C care, from diagnosis to treatment, and see which ones are most effective and affordable. The goal is to find the best approaches to reduce new infections and improve health outcomes for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to more effective and cost-efficient health policies that significantly reduce hepatitis C and HIV infections and their complications among people who inject drugs.
How similar studies have gone: While previous studies have shown the effectiveness of some interventions, this project is novel in its focus on population-level impact and cost-effectiveness through dynamic network modeling.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Miami School of Medicine
Coral Gables, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zhu, Lin — University of Miami School of Medicine
- Study coordinator: Zhu, Lin
Related research
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-
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A small, patient-focused study will look at how HIV, hepatitis C, and other sexually transmitted infections occur together in rural people who inject drugs during an HIV outbreak, and what factors relate to these co-infections.
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Low-threshold hepatitis C treatment in jail to help people released back to the community
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Hepatitis C screening tool used in the Emergency Department
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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.