American’s thirst for incarceration has resulted in the highest per capita rate of incarceration in the world. Our failed legal policies on drug abuse contribute greatly to 13 million people interfacing with the criminal justice system each year and 1 in 100 Americans being behind bars. The failure to adequately treat substance abuse, a chronic and relapsing condition within our criminal justice system, has resulted in a concentration of individuals with HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, mental illness and tuberculosis behind bars. Though in recent years, prisons and jails have become increasingly successful in treating chronic conditions such as HIV/AIDS, but less successful in ensuring continuity of care after release. As such, 26% of all people living with HIV are released to the community, yet their HIV treatment outcomes less than optimal. In this presentation, we will review the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS within the criminal justice system and explore evidence-based solutions and alternative mechanisms to improve HIV detection, treatment and continuity of care for those with HIV/AIDS who interface with the criminal justice system.

Dr. Altice’s research interests are focused on the interface between infectious diseases and substance abuse. As a clinical epidemiologist, health services and intervention researcher, he has created novel programs for the treatment of HIV, HCV, and tuberculosis in vulnerable populations, including injection drug users and prison inmates. Specifically, he has been an international leader in research related to adherence to antiretroviral therapy, particularly among HIV+ drug users, has made considerable inroads into novel approaches HIV+ using directly administered antiretroviral therapy and other structural interventions to facilitate adherence both nationally and internationally.

More biographical information:
http://www.med.yale.edu/intmed/faculty/altice.html

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This lecture is an installment of the Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Lecture Series sponsored by the NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research and organized by the NIH Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee.

The Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Coordinating Committee (BSSR CC), with support from the Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR), convenes a series of guest lectures and symposia on selected topics in the behavioral and social sciences. These presentations by prominent behavioral and social scientists provide the NIH community with overviews of current research on topics of scientific and social interest. The lectures and symposia are approximately 50 minutes in length, with additional time for questions and discussion. All seminars are open to NIH staff and to the general public.