Research

Center for HIV and Research in Mental Health (CHARM)

CHARM (P30MH116867) seeks to reduce the impact of mental health and minority health disparities across the HIV prevention and care continua in areas of the U.S. that are heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS. Our focus is to:

• Coordinate HIV research
• Support and mentor new and established investigators new to HIV
• Provide research methods assistance
• Support culturally competent research addressing multilevel HIV/AIDS-related mental health disparity factors

We offer the expertise and resources to strengthen mental health-related HIV prevention and care research and reduce the impact of mental health disparities as barriers to behavioral and biobehavioral approaches in HIV prevention and care.

MACS/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (MWCCS)

More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with HIV, and they’re more likely to develop chronic diseases than AIDS-related diseases. The MAC/WIHS Combined Cohort Study (U01HL146203), funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a collaborative research effort that aims to understand and reduce the impact of chronic health conditions that affect people living with HIV, including heart, lung, blood, and sleep disorders. The study is also exploring the differences between men and women affected with HIV.

Call us at 305-243-2188 for more information.

Stigma and the non-communicable disease syndemic in aging HIV positive and HIV negative MSM

The non-communicable diseases diabetes (high blood sugar), hypertension (high blood pressure), and dyslipidemia (high cholesterol) are highly common among people living with HIV (PWH), especially among aging men and men who are racial or ethnic minorities. Stigma in community settings and in healthcare settings can be a barrier to controlling high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. We will study how different kinds of stigma are linked to non communicable disease outcomes among a diverse cohort of HIV- positive and HIV-negative sexual minority men. Around 1800 subjects are expected to be enrolled in this study.

A Comprehensive Translational Initiative On Novel coronavirus (ACTION 3)

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for COVID-19, a pandemic that has resulted in extreme challenges for health care systems, the global scientific community,and public health. The overall objectives of this study are to recruit individuals in Miami into a longitudinal cohort that will serve as a robust platform for future multidisciplinary research focused on SARS-CoV-2.And to evaluate the viral persistence, immunological responses, psychosocial factors, and intra-host SARS-CoV-2 evolution of those affected by COVID-19 and to develop an artificial intelligence algorithm to predict novel variants in Miami.

Call us at 305-243-2188 for more information.

Comprehensive Research on Oral and mental health among Women (CROWN) Study

Oral health problems and unmet dental needs are prevalent in women living with HIV (WWH). For WWH across the lifespan, physiological changes that induce fluctuating hormone levels (e.g., puberty, pregnancy, aging) can also significantly impact oral health, most commonly through exaggerated periodontal inflammation. Neglected dental care and negative oral symptomatology can play a significant role in overall health by impacting everyday function, e.g., eating and engaging in social interactions. Oral health related quality of life (OHRQOL) is an important multidimensional construct used to evaluate the impact of untreated dental disease on quality of life and well-being. OHRQOL in WWH is impacted not only by oral health conditions, but also by the social determinants of health, age, and mental health symptomatology. Mental health challenges, i.e., depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), are prevalent in WWH and are associated with poor health outcomes, including oral health conditions. The co-occurrence of depression and HIV infection has been associated with impaired self-care (e.g., reduced oral hygiene, neglected preventive dental treatment), as well as dental side effects from psychotropic medication. Despite the high prevalence of oral and mental health conditions among WWH, there have been no studies addressing the relationship between HIV, oral health, and mental health over the lifespan.

Spear & Shield (S&S) 2

Spear & Shield 2 (R01MH095539) is an implementation science study that continues the Spear & Shield 1 project — a randomized clinical trial to increase voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC) in Zambian men not interested in undergoing VMMC and their partners.

S&S 2 study promotes VMMC to uncircumcised men and their female partners and offers provider training to perform VMMC for HIV risk reduction in 96 community health centers in four Zambian provinces with high HIV incidence (Lusaka, Central, Southern, Copperbelt). Researchers are also exploring which program implementation methods are most successful.

Email us at djones@med.miami.edu to request a copy of the Spear & Shield group intervention manual or assessment measures (in English, Bemba, Nyanja) or learn more about the project.

Like Father, Like Son (LFLS)

The Like Father, Like Son feasibility study (R34MH121111) focuses on the promotion of early infant male circumcision in Zambia. The project recruits pregnant couples for a behavioral intervention that encourages fathers, their infant sons, and other male family members to undergo medical circumcision for HIV risk reduction. Email us at djones@med.miami.edu to learn more about the project.

Conexiones y Opciones Positivas en la Argentina 2 (COPA2)

This project is a continuation of the COPA1 project, which developed, adapted, and tested an innovative patient-provider intervention to enhance HIV/antiretroviral therapy (ART) knowledge, personalize the information provided to patients, and improve provider-patient treatment communication.

COPA 2 is a cluster randomized clinical trial examining the impact of health care provider-delivered motivational interviewing on medication adherence and retention in care among Argentinian HIV patients who weren’t retained in treatment. The project is being conducted in seven clinics in four urban centers in Argentina, including Buenos Aires, Neuquén, Cordoba, and Rosario. This project also includes COPA-Trans, an administrative supplement to the COPA2 grant that targets the recruitment, engagement, and retention of transgender women lost to care.

MRSI and DKI Evaluation of HIV-1 Clade C Infection in the Whole Brain

This study (R01NS094043) uses advanced brain imaging techniques and neuropsychological testing to examine the brain structure, activity, and neurocognitive functioning of people infected with HIV-1 Clade C in India. The study is recruiting people in Chandigarh, India, who are HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected healthy controls.