# Multilevel Influences on HIV and Substance Use in a YMSM Cohort

> **NIH NIH U01** · NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $9,536

## Abstract

Radar Abstract:
The RADAR study was launched in 2014 to provide critical insights into risk and protective factors for HIV and
drug use and to identify facilitators and barriers to the implementation of an effective strategy to end the HIV
epidemic. Specifically, RADAR seeks to understand the connections between sexually transmitted infections
(STIs), substance use, and romantic relationship patterns over time among young men who have sex with
men (YMSM) and transgender women. During our initial grant period, we were extremely productive in terms
of recruitment, retention, scientific output, and training future scholars. RADAR recruited over 1,200 study
participants and maintained a 80% retention rate since it was launched. To date, more than 40 scientific
publications have been published. RADAR also served as a platform for innovative research, with more than
25 connected studies and seven concepts via the NIDA C3PNO consortium.
The project utilizes a multilevel research design that incorporates biological, dyadic, and network components
to provide an unprecedented view into HIV transmission epidemiology. Cohort members are assessed every
six months on individual behavior and risk; relationship and sexual partner characteristics; and social, sexual,
and drug-using networks. Members also receive multiple biological assessments (drug and STI testing and
banking of plasma and DNA) at each six-month assessment. The RADAR cohort includes both HIV-positive
and -negative participants, and it continues to build a repository of HIV sequence data and biospecimens
from time points before, during, and after acute infection that can facilitate future proposals evaluating
substance use, HIV risk, pathogenicity, and immunity.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10400480
- **Project number:** 3U01DA036939-07S1
- **Recipient organization:** NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Brian Mustanski
- **Activity code:** U01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $9,536
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2014-04-15 → 2025-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10400480

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10400480, Multilevel Influences on HIV and Substance Use in a YMSM Cohort (3U01DA036939-07S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10400480. Licensed CC0.

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