1
|
Greenberg AE, Wutoh A, Bowleg L, Robinson B, Magnus M, Segarra L, Simon P, Wutoh A, Blankenship K, Burke M, Okeke NL, Corneli A, Hussen S, Holliday RC, Ciaranello A, Ghebremichael M, Haberer J, Irvin R, Irvin N, Antoine DG, Chen Z, Momplaisir F, Jordan-Sciutto K, So-Armah K, Kuo C, Flanigan T, Sanchez M, Levine AD, Sluis-Cremer N, Koethe JR, Dash C, Pereira FA, Rice AP, Newell A, Dācus J, Wood C, Elopre L, Rana A, Pitpitan E, Stockman JK, Sauceda J, Marquez C, Robinson S, Chi BH, Balkus J, Walters K, Lewin A, Schoonmaker A, Wong E, Refsland E. Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI): Developing Career Pathways for Early-Stage Scholars From Racial and Ethnic Groups Underrepresented in HIV Science and Medicine. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2023; 94:S5-S12. [PMID: 37707842 PMCID: PMC10567097 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000003270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There is an urgent need to increase diversity among scientific investigators in the HIV research field to be more reflective of communities highly affected by the HIV epidemic. Thus, it is critical to promote the inclusion and advancement of early-stage scholars from racial and ethnic groups underrepresented in HIV science and medicine. METHODS To widen the HIV research career pathway for early-stage scholars from underrepresented minority groups, the National Institutes of Health supported the development of the Centers for AIDS Research (CFAR) Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI). This program was created through partnerships between CFARs and Historically Black Colleges and Universities and other Minority Serving Institutions throughout the United States. RESULTS Seventeen CFARs and more than 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions have participated in this initiative to date. Programs were designed for the high school (8), undergraduate (13), post baccalaureate (2), graduate (12), and postdoctoral (4) levels. Various pedagogical approaches were used including didactic seminar series, intensive multiday workshops, summer residential programs, and mentored research internship opportunities. During the first 18 months of the initiative, 257 student scholars participated in CDEIPI programs including 150 high school, 73 undergraduate, 3 post baccalaureate, 27 graduate, and 4 postdoctoral students. CONCLUSION Numerous student scholars from a wide range of educational levels, geographic backgrounds, and racial and ethnic minority groups have engaged in CDEIPI programs. Timely and comprehensive program evaluation data will be critical to support a long-term commitment to this unique training initiative.
Collapse
|
2
|
Evans KN, Martinez O, King H, van den Berg JJ, Fields EL, Lanier Y, Hussen SA, Malavé-Rivera SM, Duncan DT, Gaul Z, Buchacz K. Utilizing Community Based Participatory Research Methods in Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx Communities in the US: The CDC Minority HIV Research Initiative (MARI-Round 4). J Community Health 2023; 48:698-710. [PMID: 36943607 PMCID: PMC10028312 DOI: 10.1007/s10900-023-01209-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Minority HIV Research Initiative (MARI) funded 8 investigators in 2016 to develop HIV prevention and treatment interventions in highly affected communities. We describe MARI studies who used community-based participatory research methods to inform the development of interventions in Black/African American and Hispanic/Latinx communities focused on sexual minority men (SMM) or heterosexual populations. Each study implemented best practice strategies for engaging with communities, informing recruitment strategies, navigating through the impacts of COVID-19, and disseminating findings. Best practice strategies common to all MARI studies included establishing community advisory boards, engaging community members in all stages of HIV research, and integrating technology to sustain interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing community-informed approaches is crucial to intervention uptake and long-term sustainability in communities of color. MARI investigators' research studies provide a framework for developing effective programs tailored to reducing HIV-related racial/ethnic disparities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly N Evans
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
| | - Omar Martinez
- Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA
| | - Hope King
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Errol L Fields
- Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yzette Lanier
- Rory Meyers College of Nursing, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sophia A Hussen
- Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Souhail M Malavé-Rivera
- School of Public Health, University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR, USA
| | - Dustin T Duncan
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zaneta Gaul
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
- Social & Scientific Systems affiliate of DLH, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Kate Buchacz
- Division of HIV Prevention, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Stoff DM, Bowleg L, del Río-González AM, Rodriguez-Diaz CE, Zea MC. Critical Perspectives on Expanding Racial/Ethnic Diversity in the HIV Research Workforce: Comorbidities and Mentoring. HEALTH EDUCATION & BEHAVIOR 2023; 50:10901981231157795. [PMID: 36924258 PMCID: PMC10977082 DOI: 10.1177/10901981231157795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
HIV-related comorbidities in underrepresented minority populations are reframed to include the co-occurring problems of systemic and structural barriers, within the mentoring context as a buffer and as action-oriented. This framework is discussed to improve racial and ethnic minority diversity in the research workforce from the perspectives of HIV comorbidities and mentoring. An integrated and coordinated approach to HIV-related comorbidities and inequities may be helpful when combined with research on the social-structural contributions as drivers to diversify the research workforce. We emphasize how these key research issues (a) provide a platform for training and retraining a highly motivated, diverse workforce and (b) facilitate the empowerment of these trained individuals to conduct rigorous scientific research on social-structural factors to mitigate the effects of these comorbidities. We conclude that a diverse research workforce is necessary but insufficient for improving training-related outcomes or reducing comorbidity effects. Additional considerations are warranted that include systemic approaches and changes at the structural and institutional levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Stoff
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Lisa Bowleg
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | | | | | - Maria Cecilia Zea
- Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Robles G, Hong C, Yu M, Starks TJ. Intersecting Communities and PrEP Uptake among US-based Latinx Sexual Minority Men. J Racial Ethn Health Disparities 2022; 9:2157-2163. [PMID: 34554441 PMCID: PMC9034471 DOI: 10.1007/s40615-021-01154-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The Latinx community in the USA continues to be disproportionately burdened by the HIV epidemic, especially among Latinx sexual minority men (LSMM). Research indicates that up to two-thirds of new HIV infections occur among men who have sex with men (MSM) within primary partnerships. One promising biomedical approach for HIV prevention includes community scale-up of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among LSMM. We examine the relationship between community connectedness (with the Latinx and gay communities) and PrEP uptake among 307 partnered LSMM who reported casual partner sex (i.e., non-monogamous relationships). Within the sample, approximately thirty percent (29.7%) of participants were on PrEP, and 43.3% reported partner approval for PrEP (i.e., my partner is in favor of PrEP generally), while only 7.2% were opposed to PrEP. Insurance status and income levels were significantly associated with PrEP uptake. There was a significant interaction term (gay community connectedness and Latinx group membership), which was positively associated with PrEP uptake (OR = 2.18; p = .007). Findings suggest that there may be structural barriers preventing this population from seeking and initiating PrEP care. Results point to the utility of integrating culturally relevant content related to intersecting identities and their corresponding communities when conceptualizing community-based and culturally informed interventions to improve the PrEP care cascade among LSMM.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Robles
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, 390 George Street, Room 606, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA.
| | - Chenglin Hong
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Melanie Yu
- School of Social Work, Rutgers University, 390 George Street, Room 606, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901, USA
| | - Tyrel J Starks
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Silberberg M. Research translation: A pathway for health inequity. Clin Transl Sci 2022; 16:179-183. [PMID: 36325944 PMCID: PMC9926067 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
In a context of social inequity, research translation naturally furthers health inequity. As Fundamental Cause Theory (FCT) explains-and an associated empirical literature illustrates-those with more resources benefit earlier and more from scientific innovation than those with fewer resources. Therefore, research translation of its own course creates and widens health disparities based on socioeconomic status and race/ethnicity. Yet, the conversation about research translation has yet to center this critical reality, undermining our efforts to address heath inequity. Moving toward sustainable health equity requires that we build the evidence base for, prioritize, and institutionalize translation approaches that center the needs and assets of low-resource populations (with community engagement helping toward that end). However, even the impact of that approach will be limited if we as a society do not mobilize knowledge to address social inequity and the many ways in which it shapes health. The health research community should engage the FCT paradigm to think critically about resource allocation among different kinds of research and action. Moreover, in our contributions to discussions about the road to health equity, we must be forthcoming about the reality FCT describes and the limitations it indicates for achieving health equity through translation of biomedical, clinical, health services, and health behavior research alone.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mina Silberberg
- Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Community Engaged Research Initiative, CTSI, Global Health Institute, Margolis Center for Health Policy, Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication SciencesDuke UniversityNorth CarolinaDurhamUSA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Rodriguez-Diaz CE, Martinez O, Bland S, Crowley JS. Ending the HIV epidemic in US Latinx sexual and gender minorities. Lancet 2021; 397:1043-1045. [PMID: 33617767 PMCID: PMC8684813 DOI: 10.1016/s0140-6736(20)32521-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Carlos E Rodriguez-Diaz
- Milken Institute School of Public Health, The George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, USA.
| | - Omar Martinez
- School of Social Work, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sean Bland
- O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| | - Jeffrey S Crowley
- O'Neill Institute for National and Global Health Law, Georgetown University, Washington, DC
| |
Collapse
|