Overview of HIV Among Injection Drug Users in New York City: Critical Next Steps to Eliminate Racial/Ethnic Disparities

At the start of the HIV epidemic, 50% of new infections were among injection drug users (IDUs) in New York City. While HIV has declined among IDUs since the mid 1990s, parenteral transmission continues to overburden blacks/Hispanic IDUs. Individual risk behaviors do not explain the distribution of HIV/AIDS among IDUs. Social and/or structural factors are likely fueling racial disparities creating a high-risk socio-environmental context. While increased access to structural interventions (i.e. syringe exchange and pharmacy syringe access) are needed, it may not be sufficient to eliminate HIV/AIDS disparities among IDUs. Research on incorporating structural factors into intervention strategies is needed.