Lauretta Grau, PhD
Research & Publications
Biography
News
Locations
Extensive Research Description
Dr. Grau is a clinical psychologist with training in health psychology
and has expertise in identifying the cognitive and emotional correlates
of risk and preventive health behaviors. She has been involved in the
field of HIV prevention research for over fifteen years and has been
working with syringe exchange programs for almost a decade. Dr. Grau
has conducted multisite, longitudinal evaluations of syringe exchange
programs, including a feasibility and cost-effectiveness study of
offering hepatitis vaccination through syringe exchanges. She also has
experience in HIV and hepatitis prevention research with sexually
active adolescents, minority and drug using populations, and most
recently with older populations. In addition, she has led women’s
support groups at the local syringe exchanges. On a broader level, Dr.
Grau is interested in research that will result in the development and
implementation of individual, family- and community-based harm
reduction interventions.
Coauthors
Research Interests
Attitude; HIV; Psychiatry and Psychology
Public Health Interests
Behavioral Health; Hepatitis; HIV/AIDS; Infectious Diseases; Substance Use, Addiction; Health Equity, Disparities, Social Determinants and Justice
Selected Publications
- Prescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose.Kazemitabar M, Howell B, Becker W, Lin H, Grau L, Heimer R, D'Onofrio G, Hawk K, Fiellin D, Black A. Prescription Opioid Dose Change Prior to Fatal Opioid-Detected Overdose. Journal Of Studies On Alcohol And Drugs 2024 PMID: 38775307, DOI: 10.15288/jsad.24-00026.
- Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time MeasuresKim J, Lee J, Thornhill T, Dennett J, Lu H, Howell B, Grau L, Fiellin D, Heimer R, Gonsalves G. Accessibility of Opioid Treatment Programs Based on Conventional vs Perceived Travel Time Measures. JAMA Network Open 2024, 7: e240209. PMID: 38376839, PMCID: PMC10879949, DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.0209.
- Understanding chronic pain in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 using the Neurofibromatosis Pain Module (NFPM)Buono F, Larkin K, Zempsky W, Grau L, Martin S. Understanding chronic pain in Neurofibromatosis Type 1 using the Neurofibromatosis Pain Module (NFPM). American Journal Of Medical Genetics Part A 2024, 194: e63541. PMID: 38234177, DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63541.
- Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17Heimer R, Black A, Lin H, Grau L, Fiellin D, Howell B, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Becker W. Receipt of opioid use disorder treatments prior to fatal overdoses and comparison to no treatment in Connecticut, 2016–17. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 254: 111040. PMID: 38043226, PMCID: PMC10872282, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.111040.
- “It’s starting to weigh on me”: Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Harm Reduction Staff in Connecticut using the Social-Ecological ModelHill K, Dunham K, Grau L, Heimer R. “It’s starting to weigh on me”: Exploring the Experiences and Support Needs of Harm Reduction Staff in Connecticut using the Social-Ecological Model. Harm Reduction Journal 2023, 20: 168. PMID: 37964261, PMCID: PMC10644636, DOI: 10.1186/s12954-023-00898-4.
- Xylazine in the drug supply: Emerging threats and lessons learned in areas with high levels of adulterationQuijano T, Crowell J, Eggert K, Clark K, Alexander M, Grau L, Heimer R. Xylazine in the drug supply: Emerging threats and lessons learned in areas with high levels of adulteration. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2023, 120: 104154. PMID: 37574646, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2023.104154.
- Exploring stakeholders perspectives on TB contact investigation in Cali, Colombia: a qualitative studyVelosa J, Gómez J, Zúñiga C, Díaz G, Ferro B, Davis J, Grau L. Exploring stakeholders perspectives on TB contact investigation in Cali, Colombia: a qualitative study. Frontiers In Public Health 2023, 11: 1204862. PMID: 37564424, PMCID: PMC10411903, DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1204862.
- Technical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018Marotta P, Hass A, Viera A, Doernberg M, Barbour R, Grau L, Heimer R. Technical violations and infractions are drivers of disengagement from methadone treatment among people with opioid use disorder discharged from Connecticut jails 2014–2018. Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, And Policy 2023, 18: 43. PMID: 37420271, PMCID: PMC10329353, DOI: 10.1186/s13011-023-00541-2.
- Concordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysisHowell B, Black A, Grau L, Lin H, Greene C, Lee H, Heimer R, Hawk K, D'Onofrio G, Fiellin D, Becker W. Concordance between controlled substance receipt and post-mortem toxicology in opioid-detected overdose deaths: A statewide analysis. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2023, 244: 109788. PMID: 36738634, PMCID: PMC9975083, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2023.109788.
- Cost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Approaches in Emergency DepartmentsMiller T, Johnson M, Dziura J, Weiss J, Carpenter K, Grau L, Pantalon M, Abroms L, Collins L, Toll B, Bernstein S. Cost-Effectiveness of Smoking Cessation Approaches in Emergency Departments. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2023, 65: 39-44. PMID: 36710199, PMCID: PMC10293014, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2023.01.006.
- Geographic and temporal trends in fentanyl-detected deaths in Connecticut, 2009–2019Lu H, Crawford F, Gonsalves G, Grau L. Geographic and temporal trends in fentanyl-detected deaths in Connecticut, 2009–2019. Annals Of Epidemiology 2023, 79: 32-38. PMID: 36669599, PMCID: PMC10163838, DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2023.01.009.
- Successful Optimization of Tobacco Dependence Treatment in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Multiphase Optimization StrategyBernstein S, Dziura J, Weiss J, Brooks A, Miller T, Vickerman K, Grau L, Pantalon M, Abroms L, Collins L, Toll B. Successful Optimization of Tobacco Dependence Treatment in the Emergency Department: A Randomized Controlled Trial Using the Multiphase Optimization Strategy. Annals Of Emergency Medicine 2022, 81: 209-221. PMID: 36585318, PMCID: PMC9868063, DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2022.08.018.
- Innovation in the Treatment of Persistent Pain in Adults With NF1: Implementation of the iCanCope Mobile AppShaker J, Buono F, Lalloo C, Stinson J, Grau L, Zempsky W, Larkin K. Innovation in the Treatment of Persistent Pain in Adults With NF1: Implementation of the iCanCope Mobile App. Iproceedings 2022, 8: e39330. DOI: 10.2196/39330.
- Development and pilot-testing of a hepatitis C reinfection prevention intervention for patients in treatment for hepatitis C infectionViera A, Grau L, Fisher J, Farnum S, Tetrault J, Scott G, Heimer R. Development and pilot-testing of a hepatitis C reinfection prevention intervention for patients in treatment for hepatitis C infection. Drug And Alcohol Dependence Reports 2022, 3: 100038. PMID: 36845980, PMCID: PMC9948939, DOI: 10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100038.
- Pilot Evaluations of Two Bluetooth Contact Tracing Approaches on a University Campus: Mixed Methods StudyShelby T, Caruthers T, Kanner OY, Schneider R, Lipnickas D, Grau L, Manohar R, Niccolai L. Pilot Evaluations of Two Bluetooth Contact Tracing Approaches on a University Campus: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Formative Research 2021, 5: e31086. PMID: 34586078, PMCID: PMC8555945, DOI: 10.2196/31086.
- 1644. “And the stick to fight TB is IPT”: Perspectives on TPT Implementation Among Senior Nurses in Rural South AfricaGrammatico M, Ahmed A, Grau L, Moll A, Shenoi S. 1644. “And the stick to fight TB is IPT”: Perspectives on TPT Implementation Among Senior Nurses in Rural South Africa. Open Forum Infectious Diseases 2020, 7: s811-s811. PMCID: PMC7777536, DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1824.
- 5EMF Developing an Emergency Department-Based Intervention to Prevent Opioid Overdose: Listening to Patient VoicesHawk K, Grau L, Fiellin D, Pantalon M, Chawarski M, O'Connor P, D'Onofrio G. 5EMF Developing an Emergency Department-Based Intervention to Prevent Opioid Overdose: Listening to Patient Voices. Annals Of Emergency Medicine 2018, 72: s155. DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2018.08.402.
- (210) Understanding pain management strategies within individuals with neuropfibromatosisBuono F, Johnson K, Grau L, Morford K, Moore B. (210) Understanding pain management strategies within individuals with neuropfibromatosis. Journal Of Pain 2018, 19: s52-s53. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpain.2017.12.124.
- Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectorsHeimer R, Zhan W, Grau LE. Prevalence and experience of chronic pain in suburban drug injectors. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2015, 151: 92-100. PMID: 25841984, PMCID: PMC4447527, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2015.03.007.
- Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US citiesBowman S, Grau LE, Singer M, Scott G, Heimer R. Factors associated with hepatitis B vaccine series completion in a randomized trial for injection drug users reached through syringe exchange programs in three US cities. BMC Public Health 2014, 14: 820. PMID: 25107530, PMCID: PMC4138371, DOI: 10.1186/1471-2458-14-820.
- Regression diagnostics in the rate analysis based on data about the last episodesZelterman D, Suvorova A, Paschenko A, Musina V, Tulupyev A, Tulupyeva T, Grau L, Heimer R. Regression diagnostics in the rate analysis based on data about the last episodes. SPIIRAS Proceedings 2014, 2: 33-46. DOI: 10.15622/sp.17.2.
- Processing length bias of time intervals between the last episode and the interview in Gamma-Poisson models of behaviorZelterman D, Suvorova A, Paschenko A, Musina V, Tulupyev A, Tulupyeva T, Krasnoselskikh T, Grau L, Heimer R. Processing length bias of time intervals between the last episode and the interview in Gamma-Poisson models of behavior. SPIIRAS Proceedings 2014, 1: 160-185. DOI: 10.15622/sp.16.6.
- Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groupsHayes-Larson E, Grau LE, Khoshnood K, Barbour R, Khuat OT, Heimer R. Drug users in Hanoi, Vietnam: factors associated with membership in community-based drug user groups. Harm Reduction Journal 2013, 10: 33. PMID: 24268108, PMCID: PMC4176489, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-10-33.
- Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population.Akselrod H, Grau LE, Barbour R, Heimer R. Seroprevalence of HIV, hepatitis B virus, and HCV among injection drug users in Connecticut: understanding infection and coinfection risks in a nonurban population. American Journal Of Public Health 2013, 104: 1713-21. PMID: 24134382, PMCID: PMC3990658, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2013.301357.
- Associations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USAHeimer R, Barbour R, Palacios WR, Nichols LG, Grau LE. Associations Between Injection Risk and Community Disadvantage Among Suburban Injection Drug Users in Southwestern Connecticut, USA. AIDS And Behavior 2013, 18: 452-463. PMID: 23921583, PMCID: PMC3917972, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-013-0572-3.
- Cultural Adaptation of an Intervention to Reduce Sexual Risk Behaviors among Patients Attending a STI Clinic in St. Petersburg, RussiaGrau LE, Krasnoselskikh TV, Shaboltas AV, Skochilov RV, Kozlov AP, Abdala N. Cultural Adaptation of an Intervention to Reduce Sexual Risk Behaviors among Patients Attending a STI Clinic in St. Petersburg, Russia. Prevention Science 2013, 14: 400-410. PMID: 23322231, PMCID: PMC4021482, DOI: 10.1007/s11121-012-0301-6.
- Inebriation, Drinking Motivations and Sexual Risk Taking Among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Patients in St. Petersburg, RussiaAbdala N, Grau LE, Zhan W, Shaboltas AV, Skochilov RV, Kozlov AP, Krasnoselskikh TV. Inebriation, Drinking Motivations and Sexual Risk Taking Among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Patients in St. Petersburg, Russia. AIDS And Behavior 2011, 17: 1144-1150. PMID: 22139416, PMCID: PMC3585957, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-011-0091-z.
- Chronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, MaineHeimer R, Dasgupta N, Irwin KS, Kinzly M, Harvey AP, Givens A, Grau LE. Chronic pain, Addiction severity, and misuse of opioids in Cumberland County, Maine. Addictive Behaviors 2011, 37: 346-349. PMID: 22138379, DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2011.11.017.
- Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of police training initiatives by US SEPs: Building an evidence base for structural interventionsBeletsky L, Grau LE, White E, Bowman S, Heimer R. Prevalence, characteristics, and predictors of police training initiatives by US SEPs: Building an evidence base for structural interventions. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2011, 119: 145-149. PMID: 21705159, PMCID: PMC3192926, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2011.05.034.
- Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007Green TC, Grau LE, Carver HW, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Epidemiologic trends and geographic patterns of fatal opioid intoxications in Connecticut, USA: 1997–2007. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 115: 221-228. PMID: 21131140, PMCID: PMC3095753, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.11.007.
- Drug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and StabilityCepeda JA, Odinokova VA, Heimer R, Grau LE, Lyubimova A, Safiullina L, Levina OS, Niccolai LM. Drug Network Characteristics and HIV Risk Among Injection Drug Users in Russia: The roles of Trust, Size, and Stability. AIDS And Behavior 2010, 15: 1003-1010. PMID: 20872063, PMCID: PMC3112286, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9816-7.
- HIV Disclosure, Condom Use, and Awareness of HIV Infection Among HIV-Positive, Heterosexual Drug Injectors in St. Petersburg, Russian FederationGrau LE, White E, Niccolai LM, Toussova OV, Verevochkin SV, Kozlov AP, Heimer R. HIV Disclosure, Condom Use, and Awareness of HIV Infection Among HIV-Positive, Heterosexual Drug Injectors in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation. AIDS And Behavior 2010, 15: 45-57. PMID: 20700645, PMCID: PMC3023022, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-010-9775-z.
- Prevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policiesGreen TC, Bluthenthal RN, Singer M, Beletsky L, Grau LE, Marshall P, Heimer R. Prevalence and predictors of transitions to and away from syringe exchange use over time in 3 US cities with varied syringe dispensing policies. Drug And Alcohol Dependence 2010, 111: 74-81. PMID: 20537814, PMCID: PMC3087197, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.03.022.
- [The study of characteristics of overdose among users of opioid drug injections].Iliuk R, Krupitskiĭ E, Torban M, Kozlov A, Blinnikova K, Heimer R, Green T, Grau L. [The study of characteristics of overdose among users of opioid drug injections]. Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Im S S Korsakova 2010, 110: 33-43. PMID: 21322146.
- Getting the message straight: effects of a brief hepatitis prevention intervention among injection drug usersGrau LE, Green TC, Singer M, Bluthenthal RN, Marshall PA, Heimer R. Getting the message straight: effects of a brief hepatitis prevention intervention among injection drug users. Harm Reduction Journal 2009, 6: 36. PMID: 20003518, PMCID: PMC2804675, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-6-36.
- Psychosocial and contextual correlates of opioid overdose risk among drug users in St. Petersburg, RussiaGrau LE, Green TC, Torban M, Blinnikova K, Krupitsky E, Ilyuk R, Kozlov AP, Heimer R. Psychosocial and contextual correlates of opioid overdose risk among drug users in St. Petersburg, Russia. Harm Reduction Journal 2009, 6: 17. PMID: 19630963, PMCID: PMC2724502, DOI: 10.1186/1477-7517-6-17.
- Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, RussiaGreen TC, Grau LE, Blinnikova KN, Torban M, Krupitsky E, Ilyuk R, Kozlov A, Heimer R. Social and structural aspects of the overdose risk environment in St. Petersburg, Russia. International Journal Of Drug Policy 2008, 20: 270-276. PMID: 18774283, PMCID: PMC2696401, DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2008.07.002.
- Economic Evaluation of Delivering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Injection Drug UsersHu Y, Grau LE, Scott G, Seal KH, Marshall PA, Singer M, Heimer R. Economic Evaluation of Delivering Hepatitis B Vaccine to Injection Drug Users. American Journal Of Preventive Medicine 2008, 35: 25-32. PMID: 18541174, PMCID: PMC2483306, DOI: 10.1016/j.amepre.2008.03.028.
- Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence and Vaccination Rates among Hispanic Injection Drug Users Participating in a Vaccination CampaignHeimer R, Grau L, Singer M, Scott G, Marshall P, Hu Y, Seal K. Hepatitis B Virus Prevalence and Vaccination Rates among Hispanic Injection Drug Users Participating in a Vaccination Campaign. Journal Of Drug Issues 2008, 38: 335-350. DOI: 10.1177/002204260803800114.
- Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”?Grau LE, Dasgupta N, Harvey A, Irwin K, Givens A, Kinzly M, Heimer R. Illicit Use of Opioids: Is OxyContin® a “Gateway Drug”? American Journal On Addictions 2007, 16: 166-173. PMID: 17612819, DOI: 10.1080/10550490701375293.
- Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention EffortsHeimer R, Grau LE, Curtin E, Khoshnood K, Singer M. Assessment of HIV Testing of Urban Injection Drug Users: Implications for Expansion of HIV Testing and Prevention Efforts. American Journal Of Public Health 2006, 97: 110-116. PMID: 17138916, PMCID: PMC1716244, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.2005.078105.
- Psychosocial and Behavioral Differences Among Drug Injectors who Use and do not Use Syringe Exchange ProgramsGrau LE, Bluthenthal RN, Marshall P, Singer M, Heimer R. Psychosocial and Behavioral Differences Among Drug Injectors who Use and do not Use Syringe Exchange Programs. AIDS And Behavior 2005, 9: 495-504. PMID: 16237501, DOI: 10.1007/s10461-005-9020-3.
- Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three citiesBluthenthal RN, Malik MR, Grau LE, Singer M, Marshall P, Heimer R, Team T. Sterile syringe access conditions and variations in HIV risk among drug injectors in three cities. Addiction 2004, 99: 1136-1146. PMID: 15317634, DOI: 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00694.x.
- Expanding harm reduction services through a wound and abscess clinic.Grau LE, Arevalo S, Catchpool C, Heimer R. Expanding harm reduction services through a wound and abscess clinic. American Journal Of Public Health 2002, 92: 1915-7. PMID: 12453808, PMCID: PMC1447352, DOI: 10.2105/ajph.92.12.1915.
- Perspectives from the National Institute of Mental Health: Preventing or living with aidsStover E, Goldschmidts W, Grau L, Mitnick L, Pequegnat W, Rausch D, Vitiello B. Perspectives from the National Institute of Mental Health: Preventing or living with aids. Annals Of Behavioral Medicine 1996, 18: 58-60. PMID: 24203644, DOI: 10.1007/bf02903940.