Understanding the connection between substance use and HIV
Official title: Mentoring in patient-oriented research on the U.S. substance use and HIV syndemic
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-11009351 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how using harmful substances can make living with HIV and other diseases even harder, and it’s also creating programs to help new researchers learn how to study these issues better for people affected by them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $213,369 |
| NIH project number | 1K24DA061696-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11009351 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing polysubstance use and HIV or other related health conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have substance use issues or HIV may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the relationship between harmful substance use and the syndemic of HIV and other diseases. It aims to characterize how these epidemics interact and amplify health burdens among affected individuals. The project will also focus on developing mentorship programs to support early-stage researchers in conducting patient-oriented research in this area. By analyzing data from the MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study, the research seeks to fill existing gaps in understanding and intervention strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved interventions for individuals affected by both substance use and HIV, ultimately enhancing patient care and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding syndemics, but this specific approach is novel and aims to address existing gaps.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tsai, Alexander C — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Tsai, Alexander C
Related research
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Transforming prison care for HIV, HIV risk, and substance use disorders
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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.