Holly Hagan

Professor Emeritus

Professional overview

Dr. Holly Hagan is Professor Emeritus at the School of Global Public Health. Trained as an infectious disease epidemiologist, Dr. Hagan’s work has sought to understand the causes and consequences of substance use disorders.  Her research has examined blood-borne and sexually-transmitted infections among people who use drugs. She is an internationally-recognized expert in the etiology, epidemiology, natural history, prevention and treatment of hepatitis C virus infection among PWUD, and in 2014 her work was recognized by the US Department of Health and Human Services with the President’s Award for Leadership in the Control of Viral Hepatitis in the United States. Dr. Hagan served on the Institute of Medicine Committee on the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis in the United States, and she has been an advisor to the US Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC, and the Canadian Institutes of Health on national programs to detect, diagnose and treat HCV infections. She was recently appointed to the National Academy of Medicine Committee on the Examination of the Integration of Opioid and Infectious Disease Prevention Efforts in Select Programs.

Dr. Hagan is the Director of the NIDA P30 Center for Drug Use and HIV|HCV Research at Global Public Health, which provides research support to investigators throughout NYU and in two other NYC institutions. In 2017, she was selected by NIDA to chair the Executive Steering Committee for the Rural Opioid Initiative funded by NIH, CDC, SAMHSA and the Appalachian Regional Commission. Her research has shifted to examining the impact of the opioid crisis more broadly, to include studying the epidemiology of fatal and non-fatal overdose among PWUD. She was chosen by the American Foundation for AIDS Research to be the Principal Investigator for the New York State Opioid Prevention Center pilot study, which will examine the safety and effectiveness of the Supervised Consumption Sites to be implemented in New York City and in upstate NY. 

Education

PhD Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA

MPH Epidemiology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA

BA Russian Studies, Evergreen State College, Olympia, WA

Publications

Publications

HIV among injecting drug users

Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Hagan, H., & Friedman, S. (n.d.). (Merigan, Bartlet, & Bolognesi, Eds.; 2nd eds.).

Publication year

1998

Abstract

Abstract

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Drug use

Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Friedman, S. R., Hagan, H., Paone, D., & Vlahov, D. (n.d.).

Publication year

1997

Journal title

AIDS Care - Psychological and Socio-Medical Aspects of AIDS/HIV

Volume

9

Issue

1

Page(s)

53-57

Abstract

Abstract

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Emerging infectious diseases and the injection of illicit psychoactive substances

Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Stimson, G. V., Hagan, H., Perlman, D., Choopanya, K., Bastos, F., & Friedman, S. (n.d.).

Publication year

1996

Journal title

Current Issues in Public Health

Volume

2

Page(s)

130-137

Abstract

Abstract

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HIV among injecting drug users : Epidemiology and emerging public health perspectives

Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Hagan, H., & Friedman, S. (n.d.). (J. Lowinson, P. Ruiz, R. Millman, & J. Langrod, Eds.; 3rd eds.).

Publication year

1996

Abstract

Abstract

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Injection drug use and emerging blood-borne diseases [2]

Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Stimson, G. V., Hagan, H., & Friedman, S. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

1996

Journal title

Journal of the American Medical Association

Volume

276

Issue

13

10.1001/jama.1996.03540130032014

Abstract

Abstract

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The protective effect of AIDS-related behavioral change among injection drug users : A cross-national study

Des Jarlais, D. C., Friedmann, P., Hagan, H., & Friedman E, S. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

1996

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

86

Issue

12

Page(s)

1780-1785

10.2105/ajph.86.12.1780

Abstract

Abstract

Objective. This study assessed the relationship between self-reported acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) behavioral change and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) serostatus among injection drug users. Methods. The study sample involved 4419 injection drug users recruited from drug abuse treatment and nontreatment settings in 11 cities in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia, The World Health Organization multisite risk behavior questionnaire was used, and either blood or saliva samples for HIV testing were obtained. Subjects were asked, "Since you first heard about AIDS, have you done anything to avoid getting AIM?" Results. The protective odds ratio for behavioral change against being infected with HIV was 0.50 (95% confidence interval = 0.42, 0.59). White there was important variation across sites, the relationship remained consistent across both demographic and drug use history subgroups. Conclusions. Injection drug users are capable of modifying their HIV risk behaviors and reporting accurately on behavioral changes. These behavioral changes are associated with their avoidance of HIV infection.

Maintaining low HIV seroprevalence in populations of injecting drug users

Des Jarlais, D. C., Hagan, H., Friedman, S. R., Friedmann, P., Goldberg, D., Frischer, M., Green, S., Tunving, K., Ljungberg, B., Wodak, A., Ross, M., Purchase, D., Millson, M. E., & Myers, T. (n.d.).

Publication year

1995

Journal title

Journal of the American Medical Association

Volume

274

Issue

15

Page(s)

1226-1231

10.1001/jama.274.15.1226

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives. - To describe prevention activities and risk behavior in cities where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was introduced into the local population of injecting drug users (IDUs), but where seroprevalence has nevertheless remained low (

Management of children with hypodermic needle injuries

Hagan, H., Bell, T., & Hagan, H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1995

Journal title

The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal

Volume

14

Issue

3

Page(s)

254-255

Abstract

Abstract

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Reduced risk of hepatitis B and hepatitis C among injection drug users in the Tacoma syringe exchange program

Hagan, H., Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Friedman, S. R., Purchase, D., & Alter, M. J. (n.d.).

Publication year

1995

Journal title

American journal of public health

Volume

85

Issue

11

Page(s)

1531-1537

10.2105/AJPH.85.11.1531

Abstract

Abstract

Objectives. This case-control study examined the association between syringe exchange use and hepatitis B and C in injection drug users. Methods. Case patients included 28 injection drug users with acute hepatitis B and 20 with acute hepatitis C reported to the health department in a sentinel hepatitis surveillance county; control subjects were injection drug users with no markers of exposure to hepatitis B or C (n = 38 and 26, respectively) attending health department services during the same period. Data were abstracted from clinic records. Results. Seventy-five percent of case patients with hepatitis B and 26% of control subjects had never used the exchange; similar proportions were found for the hepatitis C case and control groups. After adjustment for demographic characteristics and duration of injecting drugs, nonuse of the exchange was associated with a sixfold greater risk of hepatitis B (odds ratio [OR] = 5.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.5, 20.4) and a sevenfold greater risk of hepatitis C (OR = 7.3; 95% CI = 1.6, 32.8). Conclusions. The results suggest that use of the exchange led to a significant reduction in hepatitis B and hepatitis C in the county and may have also prevented a substantial proportion of human immunodeficiency virus infections in injection drug users.

An interview study of participants in the Tacoma, Washington, syringe exchange

Hagan, H., JARLAIS, D. C., PURCHASE, D., FRIEDMAN, S. R., REID, T., & BELL, T. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

1993

Journal title

Addiction

Volume

88

Issue

12

Page(s)

1691-1697

10.1111/j.1360-0443.1993.tb02044.x

Abstract

Abstract

Although European and Australian studies of syringe exchange programs have reported safer injection among participants and no increase in drug use, the generalizability of these findings to the US is uncertain. We report on the operations and potential effectiveness of the longest‐operating syringe exchange in the US and compare our results to studies of exchange programs outside the US. The sample of 204 study subjects reported no change in the frequency of injection, from 155 to 152 injections per month, and a decline in the frequency of unsafe injections, from 56 to 30 times per month, while participating in the program. In all studies, participants report reduction in unsafe injections, and no increase in illicit drug use. However, the comparison also suggests that a high proportion of Tacoma exchangers have higher initial rates of drug injection, unsafe injection and homelessness, all of which were associated with unsafe injection while using the exchange. These indicate a need for additional services but that the Tacoma program is no less effective than European and Australian programs.

Studies of HIV/AIDS and injecting drug use

Des Jarlais, D. C., Friedman, S. R., & Hagan, H. (n.d.).

Publication year

1992

Journal title

AIDS Care

Volume

4

Issue

4

Page(s)

481-485

10.1080/09540129208253129

Abstract

Abstract

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The Incidence of HBV Infection and Syringe Exchange Programs

Hagan, H., Reid, T., Des Jarlais, D. C., Purchase, D., Friedman, S. R., & Bell, T. A. (n.d.).

Publication year

1991

Journal title

JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association

Volume

266

Issue

12

Page(s)

1646-1647

10.1001/jama.1991.03470120048019

Abstract

Abstract

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The tacoma syringe exchange

Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Purchase, D., Reid, T., & Friedman, S. R. (n.d.).

Publication year

1991

Journal title

Journal of Addictive Diseases

Volume

10

Issue

4

Page(s)

81-88

10.1300/J069v10n04_06

Abstract

Abstract

For over a year, the Tacoma Syringe Exchange has been operating in spite of existing drug paraphernalia laws. One hundred fifty-four subjects have been interviewed regarding drug injection practices for the month prior to first use of the exchange and for the most recent month since using the exchange. Statistically significant reductions in mean frequency of obtaining used syringes, and in mean rate of passing on used syringes, have been reported. Mean number of times bleach was used to disinfect contaminated syringes has risen. The exchange continues to attract mainly men, median age 35, with a long history of injection. No differences have been observed in mean number of injections per month. In order to increase utilization, new sites are planned, but expansion has been hampered by a series of legal problems. Since the exchange draws many difficult to reach individuals, it is an important location for STD screening and drug treatment recruitment. Documentation of participation patterns and barriers to exchange use, and effects upon HIV serological status are recommended.

The Tacoma syringe exchange

Hagan, H., Hagan, H., Des Jarlais, D. C., Purchase, D., Reid, T., & Friedman, S. (n.d.). (S. Friedman & D. Lipton, Eds.).

Publication year

1991

Abstract

Abstract

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Letters to the Editor

Hagan, H., Hagan, H. C., & Des Jarlais, D. C. (n.d.).

Publication year

1990

Journal title

AIDS Patient Care

Volume

4

Issue

6

10.1089/apc.1990.4.2a

Abstract

Abstract

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