The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) titled Injection Practices and Sexual Behaviors Among Persons with Diagnosed HIV Infection Who Inject Drugs in the United States, 2015–2017. Approximately 10% of HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID) engaged in distributive injection equipment sharing; nonsterile syringe acquisition and unsafe disposal methods were common. HIV-positive PWID were also more likely to have engaged in high-risk sexual behaviors. Eighty percent did not receive treatment for substance use.

Through collaborations with state and local health departments, CDC supports projects to prioritize HIV prevention strategies for persons who inject drugs. One such project, Community PROMISE uses peer advocates to reach PWID and communicate public health messages around risk reduction. CDC also supports the use of Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) as part of a comprehensive HIV prevention strategy and provides guidance on the support of SSP activities. Continuing to increase access to sterile injection equipment, drug treatment services, and education around harm reduction and condom use might reduce HIV transmission among sexual and injection partners of HIV-positive PWID and directly support the national initiative to end the HIV epidemic.