Collaborative Justice-Involved Research and Training Program on Substance Use and HIV at Brown University Health

Miriam Hospital, Providence RI

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

ABSTRACT Involvement with the justice system, substance use, and infection with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are syndemic in the United States (U.S.). Persons involved with the justice system are more likely to have substance use disorders (SUD), comorbid mental health conditions, limited access to health care, and have higher rates of HIV, HCV infection, and other infectious diseases than the general population. Research exploring these phenomena and their impacts on health outcomes are insufficient. To address these disparities and increase the number and capacity of scientists working with justice populations, we established The Lifespan/Brown Criminal Justice Research Program on Substance Use and HIV (referred to as CJRT) in 2015. Now in the 10th year of funding, CJRT program is seeking a second renewal (years 11-15) to sustain this unique, innovative, and highly successful program. The CJRT program recruits an annual cohort of 5-6 scholars consisting of post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty researchers, and occasional exceptionally qualified pre-doctoral students, from the U.S. The program is led by an experienced team of NIH-funded investigators who collectively have several decades of experience conducting research among justice-involved populations within local, national, and international settings; and who have extensive mentoring experience with early-career and early-stage investigators. The mission of the CJRT program is to prepare scholars for independent NIH-funded clinical research careers focused on improving health outcomes related to substance use, HIV, HCV, and related co-morbidities among persons who are involved with the justice system. The educational program is comprised of didactic education, mentored research, and experiential learning. CJRT scholars are enrolled for a two-year period and pursue research at their home institution under the guidance of both local and CJRT mentors. The program has the following three aims: 1) provide scholars with a solid foundation for conducting research in justice populations that includes skills in research methodology, scientific writing, grant writing, dissemination, and the ethics and practice of conducting research among vulnerable populations; 2) provide professional mentorship and guidance to support the career advancement of junior investigators; and 3) provide a mentored research experience including funds for pilot studies that provides a supportive pathway to research independence. Pilot funding enables scholars to gather preliminary data to support future NIH grants, and the opportunity to disseminate their findings at national meetings and through the peer-reviewed literature. Following completion of their training, scholars are retained in a robust network of CJRT-affiliated investigators that fosters ongoing mentorship, research collaboration, and professional growth. For the next funding period, the CJRT will add research to explore innovative approaches to improve HIV and SUD outcomes among justice populations in Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) priority jurisdictions; and 2) introduce and support health economics research to inform the overall research agenda and policies aimed at HIV, SUD, and co-morbidities among justice populations.