Diffusion of effective HIV prevention interventions--lessons from Maryland and Massachusetts.

This article describes, compares, and contrasts the contexts, processes, and results of the experiences of Maryland and Massachusetts in diffusing evidence-based interventions. The evolution of first Maryland's, then Massachusetts's, diffusion of effective interventions is described. Both states have extensive experience planning, developing and evaluating individual-, group-, and community-level interventions promoted in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Diffusion of Effective Behavioral Interventions (DEBI) initiative, as well as overcoming many barriers to translate research to practice.