2026-10-13T21:52:26Z https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai

oai:figshare.com:article/33999871 2026-09-25T17:46:34Z category_7 category_19 category_21 category_24 category_272 category_45 category_64 category_122 category_132 category_134 portal_5 item_type_3 month_year_09_2026

<p>Biospecimen overview.</p> Katie B. Biello (15234413) Angela R. Bazzi (5983151) Katherine Dunham (17392980) Jacqueline E. Goldman (22477449) Maxwell S. Krieger (7886648) Vanessa Silva (65103) Yu Li (183836) Deve Mehta (25111618) Mavis Nimoh (25111621) Chanelle J. Howe (11837657) Curt G. Beckwith (10880009) Devika Singh (743035) Brandon D. L. Marshall (7820615) Medicine Pharmacology Biotechnology Evolutionary Biology Environmental Sciences not elsewhere classified Sociology Cancer Mental Health Infectious Diseases Virology rapidly address current potential policy changes major metropolitan areas level causal effects examine regional transitions emerging research priorities drug supply contaminants also occur semiannually oral fluid collection increasing polysubstance use ne ): protocol social support services substance use trends substance use patterns overdose care continua overdose among people g ., hiv evaluate multilevel determinants based hiv prevention prospective cohort study substance use prevention services use drugs opioid use multilevel framework biospecimen collection ne cohort ne ), treatment services services along access services xlink "> ultimate goal toxicology testing service settings rhode island primary outcomes overdose outcomes new england intersecting epidemics equitable scale equitable access early introduction community leadership anticipated strengths <div> <p>Background</p><p>High levels of opioid use, early introduction of drug supply contaminants, and increasing polysubstance use have led to intersecting epidemics of HIV, HCV, and overdose among people who use drugs (PWUD) in New England. Prevention services (e.g., syringe service programs, HIV testing) have been available in parts of New England for decades, yet significant service delivery gaps exist outside of major metropolitan areas. Further, racially minoritized PWUD face heightened discrimination in service settings and may be reluctant to access services. Our five-year, prospective cohort study, “Responding to the Increase in Substance Use, HIV, HCV, and Overdose in New England” (RISE-NE), will systematically examine rapidly evolving HIV and substance use trends in New England with the ultimate goal of informing the equitable scale-up of evidence-based HIV prevention and treatment services for PWUD.</p> <p>Methods</p><p>We will recruit 1,200 PWUD across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont to participate in our cohort. Beginning at enrollment, participants will complete semiannual surveys asking about their substance use patterns, ability to access healthcare and social support services, and HIV, HCV, and overdose outcomes. Biospecimen collection (e.g., HIV/HCV testing, oral fluid collection, and toxicology testing) will also occur semiannually. All aspects of the project will be guided by community leadership and a multilevel framework for HIV, HCV, and substance use outcomes.</p> <p>Discussion</p><p>Using data from the RISE-NE cohort, we aim to: 1) examine regional transitions in substance use patterns and trajectories; 2) evaluate multilevel determinants of equitable access to and quality of services along the HIV, HCV, and overdose care continua; 3) evaluate the population-level causal effects of potential policy changes and interventions on our primary outcomes; and 4) rapidly address current and emerging research priorities. We discuss the anticipated strengths of this study as well as opportunities for training and dissemination.</p></div> 2026-09-25T17:46:25Z Dataset Dataset 10.1371/journal.pone.0358938.t002 https://figshare.com/articles/dataset/_p_Biospecimen_overview_p_/33999871 CC BY 4.0