Federal Grant Award Summary

The University of South Carolina received a $631,513 Project Grant award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse under the Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs (CFDA 93.279), effective February 15, 2026, through December 31, 2030. This research project investigates modifiable factors affecting the HIV care continuum for people with HIV (PWH) experiencing concurrent substance use (SU) and mental health (MH) comorbidities. The study addresses health disparities driven by social determinants of health—including poverty and unstable housing—that synergistically interact with SU and MH conditions to negatively impact HIV treatment outcomes, including delayed entry into care, lower retention, reduced antiretroviral therapy adherence, and poor viral load suppression.

The research deliverables include analysis of real-world longitudinal data from multiple linked administrative and clinical datasets, including Enhanced HIV/AIDS Surveillance (E-HARS) data, electronic health records (EHR), Department of Mental Health data, Department of Alcohol and Other Drugs of Abuse (DAODAS) data, corrections data, and other public sources. Using data science methodologies and qualitative research methods, the project will examine disparities in SU and MH recognition and treatment, characterize the complex interactions of sociocultural, economic, environmental, and geographic factors influencing HIV care outcomes, and identify evidence-based strategies to support the U.S. End the HIV Epidemic initiative by 2030.