Rutgers scholar Henry Raymond, an expert in HIV/LGBT populations, is
researching HIV prevalence and behaviors among hard to reach LGBT
communities in order to monitor the epidemic and provide data to design
appropriate education and intervention strategies in HIV prevention.
While there has been great progress in the prevention and treatment of
HIV over the last decade, the disease is still a persistent problem
around the world, according to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention,
Raymond, an associate professor at Rutgers School of Public Health,
discusses some of his recent research – which took place in San
Francisco – into hidden, hard to reach, populations in order to identify
trends and behaviors of LGBT populations that vary by geography, race,
and ethnicity.
“While some preventative interventions, such as the use of pre-exposure
prophylaxis (PrEP) are increasing, there is still a need for targeted
strategies that will continue to increase access to HIV testing,
prevention and care, and treatment, without making disparities in HIV
worse,” said Raymond. “PrEP is ‘the thing’ in HIV prevention today –
statewide and nationally, but there are disparities in uptake and
adherence.”
What is the significance of “hidden populations” in your research?
Raymond: The reason they are considered hidden is that
they are not usually included as a special population in typical data
collection activities. We might want to know about the HIV prevalence
among female sex workers, for instance, but in household surveys women
are unlikely to admit they engage in sex work and often are not even
asked about it. This means we have to use epidemiologic methods to study
the incidence, location, and management of the disease. Because of
stigma or illegality, hidden populations may also not be involved in
prevention planning or other programs, making it difficult to determine
exactly how many are being overlooked and neglected. Being able to
access these populations and collect data on size and conditions of
health will help ensure they are included.
What trends are you finding related to behaviors associated with HIV testing and prevalence?
Raymond: It really depends on where and what
population. For example, in San Francisco the trend in new HIV
infections among men who have sex with men is going down across all race
and ethnic groups, while at the same time the trend in new infection
among adult transwomen is high and stable. In contrast to that, New
Jersey is seeing more new HIV diagnoses among Black / African American
and Latino men who have sex with men compared to white men who have sex
with men.
What are the implications of your research findings?
Raymond: That all epidemics are local, and locally
obtained data is part of the best practice toolbox that will help to
develop policy and adopt programming to address it.
Is there anything from your research that you have found personally surprising?
Raymond: How much these communities appreciate the
chance to have their concerns illustrated and communicated by
participating in research.
Some of Raymond’s recent work was presented at the annual American Public
Health Association meeting in San Diego, November, 2018. Check out the studies he presented here.