Table 2 Research topics in the top 50 recently published articles on harm reduction related to injectable drug use

Opioid Overdose Prevention

Articles focusing on strategies, interventions, and policies aimed at preventing opioid overdose, including naloxone distribution programs, overdose risk mitigation, overdose prevention training, and opioid overdose counseling. These topics are directly related to harm reduction efforts by addressing the immediate risks associated with opioid use.

HIV Prevention and Service Delivery for People Who Inject Drugs

Articles examining the effectiveness of HIV prevention interventions, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), testing, linkage to care, and engagement in HIV services specifically tailored for people who inject drugs. These topics are relevant to harm reduction as they aim to reduce the transmission of HIV among this population and improve access to healthcare services.

Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) Prevention and Treatment

Articles focusing on the prevention, testing, treatment, and outcomes of hepatitis C virus among people who inject drugs. These topics are crucial for harm reduction efforts as they address the high prevalence of HCV among this population and aim to reduce the transmission and improve the health outcomes related to HCV infection.

Stigma Reduction and Attitudes toward Opioid Use Disorder

Articles exploring the stigma surrounding opioid use disorder and attitudes toward harm reduction strategies. These topics are relevant to harm reduction by addressing the social barriers and negative perceptions associated with opioid use, which can hinder access to care and harm reduction services.

COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on People Who Inject Drugs

Articles examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people who inject drugs, including access to harm reduction services, vaccination uptake, and changes in drug use behaviors. These topics highlight the importance of adapting harm reduction efforts in response to public health emergencies.

Social Network Analysis and Modeling of HIV and Drug Use

Articles utilizing social network analysis and mathematical modeling to understand HIV transmission dynamics among people who inject drugs. These topics contribute to harm reduction efforts by providing insights into the patterns of HIV transmission and informing the development of targeted interventions.

Needle and Syringe Programs

Articles evaluating the effectiveness and outcomes of needle and syringe exchange programs as a harm reduction strategy. These topics focus on providing access to sterile injecting equipment and facilitating safer drug use practices to reduce the risks of blood-borne infections.

Overdose Risk and Fentanyl-related Concerns

Articles investigating the risks associated with fentanyl use, multiple naloxone administration for overdose reversal, and concerns related to fentanyl overdose among people who inject drugs. These topics address the evolving landscape of drug use and its impact on harm reduction efforts.

Other Topics

The remaining articles cover a variety of topics, including occupational roles and risks of peer educators, depression and secondary HIV transmission, ED-based referral tools for HIV/HCV and overdose prevention, and gender-based violence prevention among key populations. Although these topics may not directly relate to harm reduction, they contribute to the broader understanding of the intersecting issues and challenges faced by people who inject drugs.