Understanding how HIV spreads through social networks
Bridging Statistical Inference and Mechanistic Network Models for HIV/AIDS
This study looks at how HIV spreads by mapping out people's connections and interactions, aiming to find out who plays a big role in the epidemic and how different prevention methods can help both those individuals and their communities.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Harvard School of Public Health NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10651874 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates the spread of HIV/AIDS using network models that represent individuals as nodes and their interactions as connections. By analyzing these connections, the study aims to identify key individuals who contribute to the epidemic and evaluate how different interventions can impact both individuals and their broader social networks. The approach combines statistical and mechanistic modeling to better understand individual behaviors and improve prevention measures. This research could lead to more effective strategies for controlling and preventing HIV transmission.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals at risk of HIV/AIDS who are part of specific social networks.
Not a fit: Patients who are not at risk of HIV/AIDS or do not engage in behaviors that contribute to its spread may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention strategies for HIV/AIDS that are tailored to specific social networks.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research using network models has shown promise in understanding and controlling the spread of infectious diseases, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
Boston, United States
- Harvard School of Public Health — Boston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Onnela, Jukka-Pekka — Harvard School of Public Health
- Study coordinator: Onnela, Jukka-Pekka
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 below.