News & Events
Awareness Months
On this page we will highlight national awareness months related to mental health and substance use/misuse.
December is HIV/AIDS Awareness month
December is recognized as HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, an opportunity to highlight harm reduction strategies that reduce the risks associated with substance use and behaviors that increase vulnerability to HIV infection. Sharing needles and syringes significantly increases the risk of blood-borne HIV transmission. In addition, substance use is often linked to high-risk sexual behaviors, such as unprotected sex or exchanging sex for drugs or money, which further elevates the risk of HIV exposure.
Implementing evidence-based harm reduction strategies can effectively reduce behaviors that increase the likelihood of HIV transmission among both injecting and non-injecting drug users. Research consistently demonstrates that individuals engaged in substance use disorder treatment often decrease or stop drug use and reduce associated risk behaviors, including unsafe sexual practices.
Medication-assisted treatment (MAT) has been shown to play a critical role in reducing high-risk behaviors, particularly among people who inject drugs. Studies indicate that MAT can significantly lower behaviors associated with HIV transmission. Notably, the HPTN 058 trial, funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), found that treatment with buprenorphine/naloxone was effective in reducing HIV-related risk behaviors.
Syringe services programs (SSPs) are another essential harm reduction strategy. These programs reduce needle sharing and promote safer injection practices, contributing to lower rates of new HIV infections. A National Institutes of Health (NIH)鈥揻unded study published in 2015 reported an approximate 70 percent reduction in the average monthly rate of new HIV infections among people who use drugs in Washington, D.C., following the implementation of a syringe exchange program in 2008.
Despite these advances, preventing HIV transmission among individuals who use drugs remains a critical public health challenge. The NIH and other federal partners continue to support research and initiatives aimed at reducing HIV risk and expanding access to effective prevention and treatment strategies.
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