Improving HIV prevention for people who use drugs in the emergency room

Leveraging mHealth to develop syndemic-based behavioral medicine HIV prevention for the emergency department to reach minoritized PWUD

['FUNDING_OTHER'] · BRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL · NIH-11078267

This project aims to create a new mobile health tool to help prevent HIV for people who use drugs, especially those from minority groups, when they visit the emergency department.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_OTHER']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorBRIGHAM AND WOMEN'S HOSPITAL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (BOSTON, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11078267 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

Many people at high risk for HIV, especially those who use drugs and are from minority groups, often miss out on prevention services. This project plans to create a mobile health tool called mSYNC, which will offer support and guidance for HIV prevention right in the emergency department. The tool will address various challenges like drug use, mental health, and other unmet needs that can increase HIV risk. By using the long wait times in the emergency room, this approach hopes to reach people who might not regularly visit clinics.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who use drugs, especially transgender women, men who have sex with men, and Black, Latinx, or Indigenous individuals, who are at high risk for HIV and frequently visit emergency departments.

Not a fit: Patients who are not at high risk for HIV or do not use drugs may not directly benefit from this specific prevention approach.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this mobile health tool could provide a new way to offer HIV prevention and support to a vulnerable population that is often missed by traditional healthcare services.

How similar studies have performed: While effective HIV interventions exist, this project proposes a novel approach by integrating mobile health and consultation-liaison psychology within the emergency department setting to address multiple co-occurring challenges.

Where this research is happening

BOSTON, 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.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Conditions: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Virus, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome Virus

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 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.