The HIV and opioid epidemics are intrinsically entwined. People who are using opioids—especially those who inject drugs—are at increased risk for HIV, and one epidemic could undo strides made against the other, experts said.
“Any uptake in injection drug use is likely to lead to more HIV cases,” explained Ricky N. Bluthenthal, PhD, the associate dean for social justice and a professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern