A5057328286- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Opioid Use Disorder Treatment
- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
- Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
- HIV Research and Treatment
- HIV-related health complications and treatments
- Homelessness and Social Issues
- Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Intramuscular injections and effects
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Neuropeptides and Animal Physiology
- Health Policy Implementation Science
- Hepatitis C virus research
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Anesthesia
- Vaccine Coverage and Hesitancy
- Nutrition, Genetics, and Disease
- Drug-Induced Adverse Reactions
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Sex work and related issues
- Traumatic Brain Injury Research
- Mental Health and Patient Involvement
- Diet and metabolism studies
- Infectious Encephalopathies and Encephalitis
- Diabetes Management and Education
University of Miami
2011-2025
University of Southern California
2024
Howard University
2022
ORCID
2020
Jackson Memorial Hospital
2015-2016
Xylazine is an alpha-2 adrenergic receptor agonist that has emerged as a contaminant in the illicit drug supply of fentanyl. use may be suspected naloxone-resistant overdoses and atypical, chronic wounds people who drugs (PWUD). This case unique because it first to our knowledge describing wound care for xylazine-induced with confirmatory xylazine test strip (XTS) setting syringe services program (SSP) state Florida.
Infections related to injection drug use are common. Harm reduction strategies such as syringe exchange programs and skin care clinics aim prevent these infections in users (IDUs). Syringe currently prohibited by law Florida. The goal of this study was estimate the mortality cost use-related bacterial over a 12-month period county safety-net hospital Miami, Additionally, prevalence HIV hepatitis C virus among cohort hospitalized IDUs estimated.IDUs discharged from Jackson Memorial Hospital...
To describe the current financial health of syringe services programs (SSPs) in United States and to assess predictors SSP budget levels associations with delivery public interventions.
Abstract Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have made it possible for persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to live a lifespan approaching that of people without HIV, progressing AIDS or transmitting HIV sexual partners infants. There is, therefore, increasing emphasis on maintaining health throughout the lifespan. To receive optimal medical care and achieve desired outcomes, must be consistently engaged able access uninterrupted treatment, including ART. Comprehensive...
Abstract Objectives The COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of IDEA syringe services program medical student-run free clinic in Miami, Florida. In an effort continue serve community people who inject drugs and practice compassionate non-judgmental care, students transitioned a model TeleMOUD (medications for opioid use disorder). We describe development implementation telemedicine through academic center-operated program. Methods Students advertised at service on social media created online...
Abstract Introduction A recent surge in HIV outbreaks, driven by the opioid and stimulant use crises, has destabilized our progress toward targets set forth Ending Epidemic: Plan for America high-priority community of people who inject drugs (PWID), particularly Black PWID. Methods In order to ascertain acceptability feasibility using a mobile syringe services program (SSP) comprehensive prevention via PrEP medications disorder (MOUD), mixed methods approach included quantitative assessment...
Abstract Prevention of HIV outbreaks among people who inject drugs remains a challenge to ending the epidemic in United States. The first legal syringe services program (SSP) Florida implemented routine screening 2018 leading identification ten anonymous seroconversions. SSP collaborated with Department Health conduct an epidemiologic investigation. All seven acute seroconversions were linked care (86% within 30 days) and achieved viral suppression (mean 70 days). Six individuals are...
Injection drug use (IDU) remains a significant public health problem. IDU has been associated closely with the opioid crisis; driving overdose, HIV, and Hepatitis C (HCV) infection nationwide. Syringe services programs (SSPs) remain pivotal evidence-based interventions to reduce harm engage subgroups of people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aims provide policy considerations from IDEA SSP, first legal SSP in state Florida.
Among people with an opioid use disorder in the United States, only 10% receive buprenorphine treatment. The Ryan Haight Act is a federal law that has regulated delivery, requiring in-person examination between patient and provider before initiating At beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, agencies waived requirements for treatment initiation. We examined whether waiver improved implementation telehealth within syringe service programs (SSPs) – organizations serve historically low access to...
Background: At the start of pandemic, relaxation buprenorphine prescribing regulations created an opportunity to create new models medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) delivery and care. To expand improve access MOUD, we adapted implemented Tele-Harm Reduction (THR) intervention; a multicomponent, telehealth-based peer-driven intervention promote HIV viral suppression among people who inject drugs (PWID) accessing syringe services program (SSP). This study examined initiation retention...
Naloxone is a medication that can quickly reverse an opioid overdose. Syringe service programs (SSPs) are community-based prevention provide range of evidence-based interventions in the USA, including naloxone distribution. Attributes SSPs make them ideal settings for distribution-they have staff and delivery models designed to reach people who use drugs where they are. We assessed which outer inner setting factors were associated with distribution USA.We surveyed USA known North American...
Abstract Introduction The expanded capacity of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the USA to integrate telehealth was largely related flexibility buprenorphine prescription response COVID-19 pandemic. SSPs demonstrated potential using reach participants with both medical and non-medical services. present study examines implementation telehealth-based health 2020 at organizational characteristics associated adopting specific Methods We administered a cross-sectional survey among all known...
Blood-borne viral infections, such as HIV and hepatitis C (HCV), are common infections among people who inject drugs (PWID). This study aims to determine the prevalence of HCV infection PWID accessing first legal syringe services program (SSP) in state Florida, along with examining baseline correlates infection.Baseline behavioral enrollment assessments 837 participants an SSP for time were analyzed. Patients self-reporting or testing positive at visit included. Socio-demographic, drug use,...
The opioid epidemic has led to increases in injection drug use (IDU)-associated infectious diseases; however, little is known about how more recent stimulant have affected the incidence and outcomes of hospitalizations for infections among people who inject drugs (PWID).All PWID IDU-associated Florida were identified using administrative diagnostic codes grouped by substance used (opioids, stimulants, or both) site infection. We evaluated association between outcomes: patient-directed...
Background People who inject drugs (PWID) are at an increased risk for HIV infection due to injection and sexual behaviors. This study aims examine PrEP knowledge, awareness, willingness be linked services a syringe program (SSP), the relationship between substance use interest in linkage. Methods Data were collected using cross-sectional survey of IDEA SSP clients Miami, FL (N = 157). Based on reported injected, participants classified into opioid-only or polysubstance injection....
Opioid use disorder (OUD) has led to not only increases in overdose deaths, but also endocarditis and osteomyelitis secondary injection drug (IDU). We studied the association between initiation of medications for opioid (MOUD) treatment outcomes people with infectious sequelae IDU OUD.This is a retrospective cohort study reviewing encounters at 143 HCA Healthcare hospitals across 21 states United States from 2014 2018.Adults aged 18-65 ICD diagnosis code OUD or (n = 1407).Main exposure was...
Significance: Opioid use disorder and transition to injection drug (IDU) are an urgent, nationwide public health crisis. Wounds skin soft tissue infections (SSTIs) common complications of IDU that disproportionately affect people who inject drugs (PWID) a major source morbidity mortality for this population. Critical Issues: Injections in nonsterile environment reusing or sharing needles facilitates bacterial inoculation, with subsequent risk serious such as sepsis, gangrene, amputation,...