THE PROBLEM: The prevalence of injection drug use (IDU) and incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain high in Baltimore, where IDU is a primary HIV risk factor. Substance use disorders and HIV are related syndemically--their causes and consequences interact synergistically. Baltimore is increasingly considering the syndemic relationship of substance use disorders, IDU, and HIV in making decisions about drug treatment funding and location. PURPOSE OF ARTICLE: Our goal was to empirically identify the optimal location of new drug treatment programs through the development and application of a novel, practical tool. KEY POINTS: Syndemic triangles were constructed to measure and visualize unmet need for drug treatment services. These data were used to determine priority zones for new treatment centers. CONCLUSIONS: The application of this tool helped inform strategies for locating drug treatment services in Baltimore, and its successful use suggests its potential value in other metropolitan areas.
THE PROBLEM: The prevalence of injection drug use (IDU) and incidence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remain high in Baltimore, where IDU is a primary HIV risk factor. Substance use disorders and HIV are related syndemically--their causes and consequences interact synergistically. Baltimore is increasingly considering the syndemic relationship of substance use disorders, IDU, and HIV in making decisions about drug treatment funding and location. PURPOSE OF ARTICLE: Our goal was to empirically identify the optimal location of new drug treatment programs through the development and application of a novel, practical tool. KEY POINTS: Syndemic triangles were constructed to measure and visualize unmet need for drug treatment services. These data were used to determine priority zones for new treatment centers. CONCLUSIONS: The application of this tool helped inform strategies for locating drug treatment services in Baltimore, and its successful use suggests its potential value in other metropolitan areas.
Authors: Iulia Niculescu; Simona Paraschiv; Dimitrios Paraskevis; Adrian Abagiu; Ionelia Batan; Leontina Banica; Dan Otelea Journal: AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses Date: 2014-11-04 Impact factor: 2.205
Authors: Tim Rhodes; Merrill Singer; Philippe Bourgois; Samuel R Friedman; Steffanie A Strathdee Journal: Soc Sci Med Date: 2005-03-19 Impact factor: 4.634
Authors: Ross K K Leung; Fion N Y Fong; Thomas C C Au; I Fan Lau; Paul K S Chan; Chiyu Zhang; Peng Kei Ip; Chong Lam; Shui Shan Lee; Stephen K W Tsui Journal: Int J Infect Dis Date: 2010-09 Impact factor: 3.623