Improving HIV prevention and HCV care for people who inject drugs using telehealth

Trauma-informed, resilience-based telehealth intervention for improving HIV prevention and HCV care for persons who inject drugs in the Deep South

NIH-funded research University of Georgia · NIH-11018631

This study is looking to help people who inject drugs and are at risk for HIV and Hepatitis C by finding out what makes it hard or easy for them to get the care they need, especially in rural areas, and it will use telehealth to support them in accessing prevention and treatment options.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Georgia NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Athens, United States)
Project IDNIH-11018631 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research focuses on individuals who inject drugs and are at high risk for HIV and Hepatitis C Virus due to unsafe practices. It aims to understand the barriers and facilitators these individuals face in accessing HIV prevention and HCV care, particularly in rural areas of the Deep South. By utilizing telehealth interventions, the project seeks to promote the uptake of HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and medications for opioid use disorder. The approach is trauma-informed and resilience-based, addressing the impact of adverse childhood experiences on health behaviors.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who inject drugs and live in rural areas of Georgia and South Carolina.

Not a fit: Patients who do not inject drugs or those living outside the targeted rural areas may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve access to HIV prevention and HCV care for vulnerable populations, ultimately reducing infection rates.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that telehealth interventions can effectively improve access to care for marginalized populations, indicating potential success for this approach.

Where this research is happening

Athens, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome VirusAcquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.