Past Projects

Through mixed methods, this study examines the economic, social, and cultural context of tobacco use in a sample of individuals with high rates of poverty and substance use. In addition, we will assess the impact of health warnings and tobacco messages on tobacco perceptions and behaviors. 

This study examined palliative care, end-of-life issues, and caregiving resiliency among people living with HIV.   

This project was a collaboration with city agencies to collaboratively examine and address their abilities to effectively provide emergency services to those in need.  

The Social Geographies study examined the socio-spatial context of HIV risk and preventive behaviors among African American men who have sex with men (AA MSM) in Baltimore.

This study examined an evidence-based HIV prevention intervention, a social-network peer education intervention for drug users, which has been shown to reduce risky sex and drug behaviors.

This study sought preliminary data to develop novel, culturally appropriate alcohol interventions to address social and contextual factors of risky sexual behavior among AA MSM under the influence of alcohol in the United States.

This study assessed the feasibility of using pharmacies as public health venues to provide HIV-related services to injection drug users in Xichang, China; Vietnam; St Petersburg, Russia; Boston, MA; and Providence, RI.

This randomized controlled trial of HIV prevention and medical care intervention trained HIV seropositive drug users to be peer health educators and promote risk reduction among social network members. 

The study pilot tested the feasibility and acceptability of introducing drug abuse screening and standard of care into routine Baltimore City Emergency Medical Service practices, coupled with a referral to opioid abuse treatment.

Rigorous scientific evaluation demonstrated the effectiveness of the SHIELD intervention in reducing injection risk behaviors and increasing condom use with casual partners.

This project included a prevention intervention that targeted social networks of peers who are at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Participants were recruited from the Baltimore City Health Department STD clinic.

The goal of this study was to collect information about fatal and non-fatal drug overdose experiences in Baltimore City to inform the development of social-behavioral and pharmacological preventive interventions.

The SHORE (Supporters and Helpers Organizing Resources and Education) longitudinal study was a needs assessment study focused on examining the psychosocial impacts of drug use, HIV, and other diseases on caregivers, supporters, and family members.  

The SAIL (Social Affiliates and Injectors Lives) Project was a three-year study that examined the role of family members and friends on the health and well-being of individual HIV-infected intravenous drug users. 

The PATH (People’s Attitudes Toward Testing for HIV) Project was a multi-site, cross-sectional community-based survey among people at high risk for HIV infection.

The ARK project examined social and behavioral factors that may promote or reduce access and adherence to HIV medical care. The goals were to promote the health and well-being of individuals, their supporters, and children.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a peer-based, social-network-oriented, HIV prevention intervention that targets injection drug users in Chennai, India, and their risk network members.  

The goals of this study were to assess drug use patterns, mobility patterns, and concomitant HIV-related risk behaviors among substance users in Lithuania and to pilot a network-oriented behavioral intervention to reduce drug use and other HIV-related risk behaviors among injectors.

This study evaluated the efficacy of a peer-educator intervention focused on the drug and sexual networks versus HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) on reducing the rate of HIV risk behaviors among active IDUs and members of their HIV risk network in St. Petersburg, Russia.