LINK: Connecting people to medicines that prevent opioid overdose and HIV
Official title: The LINK Intervention: Using informatics and implementation science to reduce missed opportunities to prevent opioid overdose and HIV infection
Funded at Boston Medical Center · NIH-11393988 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project uses telemedicine outreach and provider education to help people with opioid use disorder start and stay on medications that lower overdose and HIV risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Boston Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 1, 2026 |
| Project end | April 30, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $2,670,000 |
| NIH project number | 1DP2DA066177-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11393988 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates are people with opioid use disorder or at high risk of overdose who are not currently on MOUD or PrEP or who have stopped these medicines and receive care within the participating health system.
✕Less likely to help
People without opioid use disorder or low HIV risk, those already well-engaged in MOUD and PrEP care, or those without access to phone/internet for telemedicine may not gain benefit.
What this research studies
You would be identified through a health system registry that tracks who might benefit from medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and HIV prevention (PrEP). A central telemedicine team will reach out to offer help starting or restarting these medicines (LINK2CARE). At the same time, your providers get tailored education and feedback to make prescribing and follow-up easier (LINK2EDU). The goal is a "No Wrong Door" system so you can get medication help whether you come through any clinic or telehealth contact.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could increase starts and retention on MOUD and PrEP, reducing opioid overdoses and new HIV infections.
How similar studies have gone: Elements like telemedicine outreach, clinical registries, and academic detailing have shown promise separately, but combining them into an integrated MOUD/PrEP system-wide approach is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
-
Boston Medical Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tilhou, Alyssa — Boston Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tilhou, Alyssa
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Improving colorectal cancer screening and follow-up care.
This study is working to help more people get screened for colorectal cancer and receive the follow-up care they need, especially those who haven't been screened much before, so that everyone can have better access to important health checks and improve their overall health.
-
Making HIV prevention and care easier for Ugandan youth
A Ugandan study is testing ways to help adolescents and young adults (15–24) prevent HIV and stay healthy, using long-acting PrEP and youth-friendly services.
-
Innovative HIV Prevention and Care Interventions for Adolescents and Young Adults in Uganda
A Ugandan research team is testing practical, youth-focused strategies to help 15-24 year-olds using HIV prevention or treatment services stay healthy and engaged in care.
-
Understanding how genetic changes in blood cells relate to heart disease in people with HIV
A study will look at how age-related blood cell mutations and large chromosomal changes might contribute to heart disease risk in people living with HIV.
-
How Poverty and the Environment Affect Heart Disease in Haiti and Beyond
This grant studies how poverty-related factors like food insecurity, stress, and pollution contribute to heart disease and aims to follow a large group of adults to better understand and prevent the disease.
-
Resilient HIV Implementation for LGBTQ Youth in Africa and Beyond
A program to help young people ages 15–24 who are at risk for or living with HIV, especially sexual and gender minority youths, access better HIV prevention and care through real-world health practice improvements.
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.