CIRA Talk: "Multilevel Intervention Approaches to Improve Access to Comprehensive HIV Prevention and Treatment Services for People Who Inject Drugs"

Please join us on Zoom for a CIRA Talk featuring a presentation by Angela R. Bazzi, PhD, MPH (University of California, San Diego) on “Multilevel Intervention Approaches to Improve Access to Comprehensive HIV Prevention and Treatment Services for People Who Inject Drugs”, followed by a moderated discussion with audience and Q&A. This virtual event is open to the public.

Abstract:

Amidst increasing opioid and polysubstance use across the United States, HIV transmission among people who inject drugs (PWID) is increasing for the first time in decades, impacting diverse rural, suburban, and urban jurisdictions including those with long-standing access to harm reduction services. PWID face persistent stigma and multilevel barriers to accessing healthcare services including comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services. Novel intervention approaches are needed to improve access to HIV testing and subsequent linkage to antiretroviral treatment and prevention medications including pre-exposure prophylaxis. This talk will describe individual, interpersonal, and organizational-level intervention approaches being tested in partnership with syringe service programs and explore additional potential ways to improve comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment services for PWID in community settings.

Speaker: Angela R. Bazzi, PhD, MPH, University of California, San Diego

Moderator: E. Jennifer Edelman, MD, MHS, Yale School of Medicine, Yale School of Public Health, CIRA

Discussant: River Rose, Connecticut Harm Reduction Alliance (CTHRA)