WHAT IS THE MOST COST-EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION TO PREVENT HIV/AIDS AND STDS AMONG WOMEN?
Nineteen million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) arise each year in the United States. Such diseases, including HIV, cost an estimated $12–20 billion in lifetime direct medical costs. Injection drug use is a leading transmission route of HIV and STDs, and disease prevention among drug users is an important public health concern. In a randomized controlled trial, we found that well woman exams with the NIDA Standard Intervention is a cost-effective behavioral intervention compared to NIDA standard intervention in preventing hepatitis C infections, gonorrhea, and HIV.
