A5043781342- HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- BRCA gene mutations in cancer
- Genomics and Rare Diseases
- Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
- Ethics in Clinical Research
- Reproductive Health and Contraception
- Homelessness and Social Issues
- Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations
- Sex work and related issues
- Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- HIV Research and Treatment
- Global Maternal and Child Health
- Family Caregiving in Mental Illness
- COVID-19 and Mental Health
- Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics
- Treatment of Major Depression
- Health disparities and outcomes
- Financial Literacy, Pension, Retirement Analysis
- HIV/AIDS drug development and treatment
- Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development
- Higher Education Practises and Engagement
- Healthcare professionals’ stress and burnout
- Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
2014-2024
Montefiore Medical Center
2018-2022
Children's Hospital at Montefiore
2020-2022
Yeshiva University
2022
City University of New York
2019
University of Washington
2016
University of Michigan–Ann Arbor
2016
Engagement in HIV care helps to maximize viral suppression, which turn, reduces morbidity and mortality prevents further transmission. With more cases than any other US city, New York City reported 2012 that only 41% of all persons estimated be living with (PLWH) had a suppressed load, whereas nearly three-quarters those clinical achieved suppression. Thus, retaining PLWH addresses this central goal both the National HIV/AIDS Strategy Governor Cuomo's plan end AIDS epidemic State.We...
One in 5 people living with HIV are unaware of their status; they account for an estimated 51% new infections. transmission can be reduced through a "Test and Treat" strategy, which decrease both viral load risk behaviors. However, linkage newly diagnosed HIV-positive persons to care has proved challenging. We report quantitative qualitative data on from testing sites that partnered the New York City Department Health Mental Hygiene implement "The Bronx Knows" (TBK), initiative tested...
Abstract: Communities of people living with or impacted by HIV have been at the forefront research, from identifying health priorities to advocating for development and implementation interventions that benefit affected populations individuals. Community engagement is considered fundamental successful science projects. However, researchers acknowledged limited guidance on community research. Some recommendations made in sciences, but conducting research must consider unique challenges...
Abstract Background Increasingly, genomics is informing clinical practice, but challenges remain for medical professionals lacking genetics expertise, and in access to utility of genomic testing minority underrepresented populations. The latter a particularly pernicious problem due the historical lack inclusion racially ethnically diverse populations research medicine. A further challenge rapidly changing landscape genetic tests considerations cost, interpretation, diagnostic yield emerging...
PurposeUse of genomic sequencing is increasing at a pace that requires technological solutions to effectively meet the needs growing patient population. We developed GUÍA, web-based application, enhance delivery results and related clinical information patients families.MethodsGUÍA development occurred in five overlapping phases: formative research, content development, stakeholder/community member input, user interface design, web application development. Development was informed by...
Genomics is increasingly used for diagnostic testing in children. This study describes the expectations of parents whose child received genomic and whether or not they were met.A diverse stratified, purposive sample 22 children New York City was interviewed using a semi-structured guide. Genomic test results positive, negative, uncertain.Parents expressed their narrative numeric fashion. Parents expected that child's would have direct effect on diagnosis. Some believed be definitive, while...
Abstract Background ‘Treat All’ policies recommending immediate antiretroviral therapy (ART) soon after HIV diagnosis for all people living with (PLHIV) are now ubiquitous in sub-Saharan Africa. While early ART initiation and retention is effective at curtailing disease progression transmission, evidence suggests that stigma may act as a barrier to engagement care. This study sought understand the relationships between care PLHIV Rwanda context of Treat All. Methods Between September 2018...
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the performance nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) against psychiatrist diagnosis in people with HIV (PWH). Design: Cross-sectional analysis data collected between January 2018 and July 2022 across five sites Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Senegal, Republic Congo. Participants were ≥18 years receiving care at participating site. PHQ-9 administered by staff followed a psychiatrist's evaluation within 3 days. Results: Overall, 778...
College students with children are a unique subset of emerging adults, whose lives were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, challenging their pursuit for education and financial independence. We sought to understand barriers facilitators academic persistence during first wave in New York City. conducted 37 in-depth interviews students, faculty, staff at six community colleges within public university about experiences pandemic analyzed data using modified approach grounded theory. Students,...
Genetic counselors are trained to deliver complicated genomic test results parents of pediatric patients. However, there is limited knowledge on how perceive this information and what they understand about the results. This research aims qualitatively explore parents' experiences receiving for their children. As part formative NYCKidSeq Study, we recruited a purposive sample 22 children stratified by child race/ethnicity result classification (positive, uncertain, or negative) conducted...
Intentions-oriented approaches to measuring pregnancy do not necessarily align with how people view and approach pregnancy. Our objective was obtain an in-depth understanding of the notions women men hold regarding We conducted semi-structured interviews 176 heterosexual ages 18–35, in United States. Data were analyzed using grounded theory methodology. Participants described getting pregnant one three ways. One group participants used language that solely as a deliberate process, either...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Youth carry a disproportionate burden of new HIV infections. With our study, we aimed to characterize testing experiences among adolescents and young adults admitted children’s hospital that is located in high HIV-prevalent community implemented routine for all patients ≥13 years age. METHODS: A total 120 aged 13 24 old who were had documented offer on admission invited complete self-administered survey asked about sex, race and/or ethnicity, risk behaviors,...
Despite calls for evidence-based HIV/STI prevention programs youth aged 12 to 14 transitioning adolescence, few effective exist. In a two-group intent-to-treat randomized trial in the Bronx, NY, 397 participants were randomly assigned Project Prepared or an attention control, TEEN. Participants completed surveys at baseline, 6 months, and months. had two components, 11-session program 3-week internship. Content covered sexual risk behavior, social cognitions, gender norms, relationships,...
We sought to understand barriers and facilitators academic engagement among student parents at six community colleges, through in-depth interviews with parents, staff, faculty members (n = 49). Using a grounded theory approach, we found were expected repeatedly self-advocate request accommodations such as for extended childcare hours, food subsidies, assignment deadlines. This burden was either constrained or relieved by 1) parents' strengths strategies, 2) campus structures groups operating...
Objective We examined socioeconomic, academic, and health-related factors associated with respondent reports that childcare interfered academics.Participants 176 undergraduate student parentsMethods administered a cross-sectional survey to representative sample of students at public university in New York City. Using sub-set those who reported being parents/guardians (n = 176), we conducted bivariate analyses assess problems interfering school.Results About 30% the school...
Abstract Community-based organizations (CBOs) deliver services in culturally-responsive ways, and could effectively partner with health centers to HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) Latino men who have sex (LMSM). However, few such models exist. We conducted a planning study collaboration three CBOs serving LMSM identify optimal PrEP delivery strategies for implement jointly. established Community Expert Panel (CEP) of eight client-facing CBO center staff. Over 6 months, the panel met...
Abstract Few studies have examined pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) engagement among youth experiencing homelessness (YEH), despite their high HIV risk. We assessed awareness of, willingness to use, and plans take PrEP YEH receiving services at nine organizations in New York City. Among 113 participants, 49 (43%) identified as LGBTQIA 74 (65%) reported food insecurity. In total, 53 (47%) had heard of before the survey, 82 (73%) PrEP, 28 (25%) a plan it. Interventions improve encourage use are...
Abstract Background: There is considerable literature on effective engagement strategies for recruiting adolescents individually health research studies, but adolescent couples new and minimal. Purpose: This paper describes the recruitment used Teen Connections (TC), a longitudinal study that recruited 139 mainly African American Latino in romantic relationships living New York City. Methods: We collected data Microsoft Access documented date each strategy was implemented, partner enrolled,...
121 Background: Time to treatment (TTI) delays result in increased morbidity and mortality for cancer patients. These disproportionately occur within marginalized communities due structural challenges with social determinants of health (SDoH), disengagement the healthcare system limited or low literacy that impacts their ability obtain timely, appropriate care. We conducted semi-structured interviews patients treated breast about care trajectories further understand barriers facilitators...