Rapid Response to the Legalization of Fentanyl Test Strips in Alabama: An Academic-Community Partnership.

In June 2022, Alabama legalized fentanyl test strips (FTS). In response to this new opportunity to prevent overdoses, Project Linkage, Education, and Prevention (LEAP)-an academic-community partnership providing substance use prevention services-quickly purchased FTS and started distributing them in the Birmingham area. We describe how the Addiction Prevention Coalition, a substance use education and harm reduction provider, distributed 7300 FTS in the first year of legalization via Project LEAP and discuss its efforts to decrease substance use among young people.

Assessing the Impact of Social Determinants of Health on HIV Care Engagement in the Southern United States: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Recent studies have shown social determinants of health (SDOH) to impact HIV care engagement. This cross-sectional study (Oct 20-Apr 21) assessed the impact of a range of SDOH on HIV care engagement using data from HIV Care Connect, a consortium of three HIV care facility-led programs (Alabama, Florida, Mississippi). The exposures were captured using the PRAPARE (Protocol for Responding to and Assessing Patient Assets, Risks, and Experiences) scale.

Associations Between Social Networks and COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in 4 Rural Alabama Counties: Survey Findings.

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how vaccination decisions are influenced by misinformation, disinformation, and social pressures, leading to varied and inequitable uptake rates. In this study, we examined how COVID-19 vaccine messages received via social networks were associated with vaccine uptake in rural Alabama.

Methods: From November 2021 through March 2022, we collected 700 responses to a telephone survey administered in 4 rural Alabama counties.

A mixed methods evaluation assessing the feasibility of implementing a PrEP data dashboard in the Southeastern United States.

Background: Alabama is one of seven priority states for the National Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative due to a disproportionate burden of rural infections. To reverse growing infection rates, the state must increase its focus on prevention efforts, including novel strategies. One such approach is to utilize dashboards that visualize real-time data on the pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) care continuum to assist in prioritizing evidence-based preventative care for those most vulnerable for HIV infection.

Social Support Assets and Needs of Underrepresented Students Participating in Health Sciences Pathways Programs in Birmingham, Alabama.

Background: Using the Asset Bundle Model, we sought to understand the social support assets and needs of underrepresented minority (URM) high school, undergraduate, and graduate students.

Setting: Study participants were or had participated in health sciences pathway programs at Birmingham City Schools and/or the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

Methods: We took a concurrent mixed methods approach to conduct an environmental scan of health science pathway programs in the Birmingham, AL area.

Physicians' experiences with buprenorphine: A qualitative study of motivations for becoming X waivered and barriers to and facilitators of prescribing the medication for opioid use disorder.

Introduction: Buprenorphine can only be prescribed for opioid use disorder (OUD) by providers with a Controlled Substance Act waiver (X waiver) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This study examines what motivates physicians to become X waivered, as well as what facilitates and hinders physicians' abilities to prescribe buprenorphine to people with OUD.

Methods: This is a qualitative study of physicians in Birmingham, Alabama.

Expanding access to substance use services and mental health care for people with HIV in Alabama, a technology readiness assessment using a mixed methods approach.

Background: Alabama is one of seven priority states for the National Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative due to a large rural burden of disease. Mental health (MH) and substance use disorders (SUD) represent obstacles to HIV care in rural areas lacking Medicaid expansion and infrastructure. Evidence-informed technologies, such as telehealth, may enhance SUD and MH services but remain understudied in rural regions.