# Modeling the Impact of a Police Education Program on HIV Incidence among People Who Inject Drugs

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2020 · $188,214

## Abstract

Project summary/abstract
Given the observed increased risk of HIV due to policing behaviors, a police education program (PEP) is being
conducted in Tijuana, Mexico to protect police officers from occupational needlestick injuries while
simultaneously harmonizing law enforcement and public health priorities. The long-term sustainability of this
intervention is dependent upon whether it is cost-effective in terms of reducing HIV incidence. Indeed,
structural interventions such as police education interventions may hold promise as novel strategies to reduce
HIV transmission among people who inject drugs in many locations around the world where policing behavior
contribute to HIV transmission. To evaluate the potential of PEPs on reducing HIV incidence, this mentored
research scientist development award will focus on building dynamic cost-effectiveness and mathematical
models to examine the impact of the PEP on the PWID population in Tijuana. The first aim is to model the
cost-effectiveness of the police education program, including both individual and population prevention benefits
on the HIV epidemic among PWID in Tijuana; the second aim is to model the potential impact of increased
police referrals to harm reduction services (SEP and OST) on HIV incidence among PWID; and the third aim is
to explore how increased police referral of PWID to SEP and OST services could improve the overall cost-
effectiveness of the police education program. The candidate, Dr. Javier Cepeda, is well-qualified to conduct
this research because of his strong background in quantitative methods and track record of producing high
impact work. Over the 5 year award period, Dr. Cepeda will achieve the following career development
objectives: 1) Acquire expertise in the principles of health economic evaluation and cost-effectiveness analysis
with an emphasis on HIV preventative interventions 2) Develop skills in mathematical modeling of infectious
disease transmission with a focus on HIV epidemics among people who inject drugs 3) Acquire training in the
design and implementation of theory-driven structural interventions focusing on HIV prevention in resource-
limited settings 4) Obtain expertise in the ethical conduct of research pertaining to structural HIV prevention
interventions among vulnerable populations in resource limited settings 5) Expand professional development
skills in preparation for a successful academic career by developing grantsmanship, publishing manuscripts,
and future scientific collaborations To accomplish these training aims, he has assembled an outstanding team
of mentors with expertise in HIV, substance abuse, epidemiology, mathematical modeling, cost-effectiveness
and design of HIV prevention interventions. Under their supervision, he will complete coursework and attend
workshops, scientific meetings, and conduct research to apply the skills to become an independent researcher
in HIV, substance abuse, mathematical modeling leading to independence. Th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9848520
- **Project number:** 5K01DA043421-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Javier Cepeda
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $188,214
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-02-15 → 2021-01-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9848520

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9848520, Modeling the Impact of a Police Education Program on HIV Incidence among People Who Inject Drugs (5K01DA043421-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9848520. Licensed CC0.

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