From Response to Prevention: Enhancing EMS Impact With Harm Reduction and HIV Education.

EMS are crucial not only for immediate life-saving interventions but also for broader public health initiatives, particularly in harm reduction and HIV prevention. However, many EMS training programs lack comprehensive education and training in these areas, resulting in significant gaps in patient care and provider safety. As the opioid epidemic continues to devastate communities, the need for EMS personnel to be trained in harm reduction strategies, such as naloxone administration, and HIV prevention, has become increasingly urgent. Integrating harm reduction and HIV prevention into EMS training is essential for equipping first responders to effectively address the complex needs of individuals affected by addiction. This training is not only vital for improving public health outcomes but also for ensuring the safety and efficacy of EMS providers in their critical roles on the front lines. The evidence strongly supports the immediate inclusion of harm reduction and HIV prevention in EMS curricula to enhance care quality, reduce the spread of HIV, and combat the ongoing opioid crisis.

Barriers and Facilitators That Influence HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)-Prescribing Behaviors Among Primary Care Providers in the Southern United States.

The Southern United States (US) bears the highest burden of HIV prevalence in the country, disproportionately affecting African American communities. Despite the proven efficacy of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) in reducing HIV transmission, its uptake remains suboptimal in this region. This study aimed to identify factors influencing PrEP-prescribing behaviors among primary care providers (PCPs) in the Southern US through the application of the transtheoretical model of behavior change. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among PCPs in 10 Southern states to assess their PrEP-prescribing practices, barriers, and facilitators. The results indicate that non-White PCPs and those practicing in urban and suburban settings are more likely to prescribe PrEP. Key barriers include lack of training, perceived stigma, and systemic issues such as health insurance coverage and time constraints. Significant facilitators are access to prescribing resources, streamlined insurance procedures, and patient motivation. Targeted educational programs and policy changes to address these barriers can enhance PrEP uptake, thereby reducing HIV transmission in high-risk populations. The findings underscore the need for tailored interventions to support PCPs in integrating PrEP into routine care, ultimately contributing to better public health outcomes in the Southern US.

The Prevalence of Sexual Misconduct in US Medical Education: Examining the Intersecting Vulnerabilities of Gender and Sexual Orientation.

This study explores the prevalence, characteristics, and correlates of sexual harassment and nonconsensual sexual contact among medical students in the United States (US). The study aims to understand the association between gender, sexual orientation, and these incidents within the context of undergraduate medical education in the US. Employing a cross-sectional approach, this study collected primary data from 23,124 medical students across various US allopathic and osteopathic medical schools. After the data were cleaned, 245 (1% of the targeted population) respondents were included in the final analysis. The focus was on the prevalence and characteristics of sexual harassment and nonconsensual sexual contact and the association of gender and sexual orientation with these experiences. The findings revealed that 12.2% (n = 30) of the respondents experienced nonconsensual sexual contact, with other medical students being the most common perpetrators. A significant association was found between gender, sexual orientation, and the occurrence of unwanted sexual contact, indicating a disproportionate impact on non-heterosexual individuals and females. The study underscores the prevalence of sexual harassment and nonconsensual sexual contact within the US undergraduate medical education, highlighting disparities based on gender and sexual orientation. These results call for the implementation of policies and programs to address sexual misconduct in medical schools. The study elucidates the need for an understanding of the impact of sexual misconduct on students attending both allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) medical programs.