PROTECT-ED: Rapid care connects people just released from jail to HIV and overdose prevention
Official title: PROTECT-ED: Prevention and Rapid Outreach for Treatment, Engagement, and Care Transition for people returning from incarceration and at risk for substance use disorder and HIV
Funded at Johns Hopkins University · NIH-11469759 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A program in the emergency department helps people who just left jail get started on medications for opioid use disorder and HIV prevention right away and connect them to ongoing care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Johns Hopkins University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Baltimore, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $155,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA067263-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11469759 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People recently released from incarceration who are at risk for overdose or HIV and who access the ED.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals not seeking ED care or not at risk for overdose/HIV may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project uses the ED as a key access point to reach people recently released from incarceration who are at high risk for overdose and HIV. It will identify recently released patients, involve peer support in the ED, and offer same-day initiation of medications like MOUD and PrEP. The plan includes refining four core components through participatory design to fit real-world ED workflows and ensure smooth handoffs to community care. The approach aims to reduce immediate post-release harms by improving access to prevention and treatment during a vulnerable period.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, it could reduce overdose deaths and new HIV infections among recently released individuals by linking them to timely, evidence-based care.
How similar studies have gone: Prior ED-based approaches have shown feasibility and some effectiveness in initiating MOUD and HIV prevention, but scalable, rapid-uptake models in this population are needed.
Where this research is happening
-
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hansoti, Bhakti — Johns Hopkins University
- Study coordinator: Hansoti, Bhakti
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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.