Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

In 2016, Health Canada approved the first preventative medication for use among HIV-negative individuals to protect against the transmission of HIV. This drug, called Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis ("PrEP"), has the potential to revolutionize the HIV/AIDS epidemic and has gained widespread endorsement around the world. But for social scientists, critical questions remain regarding the social and ethical implications of medicating people who are not sick but are simply "at risk." In addition, existing PrEP research and interventions have focused primarily on men who have sex with men and have ignored the needs of other groups with high rates of HIV transmission, particularly people who inject drugs. In my research, I will address these issues by exploring willingness to use PrEP among people who inject drugs, potential barriers and motivators to using PrEP, and how PrEP interventions can be designed ethically and responsibility to meet the specific needs of people who inject drugs. As Canada begins to incorporate PrEP into HIV prevention initiatives, this research will guide healthcare providers and policymakers as they design PrEP interventions for people who inject drugs and other hard-to-reach and marginalized populations. Further, as new medications are prescribed to "treat" risk factors, this data provides empirical evidence to theoretical discussions of medicating risk and mere potential for illness.