Research Projects Directory

Black Women, Sexual Violence, and Sexual Health Decision-Making

The research I am conducting is in an exploratory phase. This endeavor is a focused exploration of primarily qualitative data and some quantitative data concerning sexual health decision-making and psychological and emotional well-being among African American/Black women survivors of sexual…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The research I am conducting is in an exploratory phase. This endeavor is a focused exploration of primarily qualitative data and some quantitative data concerning sexual health decision-making and psychological and emotional well-being among African American/Black women survivors of sexual violence/assault. Participants that identify as women (cis, trans, and gender expansive) will be included in this research. This exploration is important because it will allow us to understand better the many variables (e.g., sociocultural, interpersonal, systemic racism, and medical-related traumas and protective factors) that impact black women survivors' help-seeking and decision-making processes. The scientific question I hope to have more direction on, via exploration of this data set, is how the aforementioned variables impacted sexual health decision-making, and what impact has this had on black women's sexual, psychological, and emotional health outcomes.

Project Purpose(s)

Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

A sequential mixed methods-interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) approach will be used to explore the sociocultural, interpersonal, systemic, and medical-related traumas sexual health decision-making. Given that this research is in an exploratory phase, qualitative data will be analyzed first, using thematic analysis to discover significant themes among participants. Quantitative data will be analyzed second for relationships among variables. Lastly, the quantitative data will be embedded into the qualitative findings to understand the phenomena impacting sexual health decision-making among Black/African American women survivors of sexual violence. The project will use a combination of the survey data and the EHR to discover new phenomena impacting sexual health decision-making and psychological and emotional well-being among Black/African American women survivors.

Anticipated Findings

The working hypothesis is that there is a predictive relationship between all these variables; however, IPA is needed to discover phenomena that might better explain the relationships between the variables and to better inform clinical practice and interventions with this population.

Findings from both of these research projects will substantiate the importance of this research topic and be used to apply for independent grants that will continue to support this research past its exploratory and pilot phases. The ultimate hope is that findings from this research will help develop more innovative and timely community and medical interventions that seek to serve better Black women survivors who are not receiving (adequate) sexual health support and interventions.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Shantoyia (Toy) Jones - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, Xavier University of Louisiana

Depression and substance among Black women with HIV

What is the prevalence of depression among Black women who living with HIV? What factors at multiple levels impact Black women's depression status?

Scientific Questions Being Studied

What is the prevalence of depression among Black women who living with HIV?
What factors at multiple levels impact Black women's depression status?

Project Purpose(s)

Educational
Other Purpose (This is the first project that I am using to practice AoU data. )

Scientific Approaches

I would use descriptive analysis to identify depression among Black women living with HIV. Subgroup analyses will be employed. Furthermore, multiple regression models will be employed.

Anticipated Findings

Identify prevalence of depression among Black women who live with HIV.
Explore factors that may associated with depression among Black women living with HIV.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Chen Zhang - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Rochester

Pharmaceutical Companies Targeting Black Communities for Profit

The scientific question we hope to answer by using the data is whether pharmaceutical companies use biased algorithms to exploit black communities for profit. We hope to address the cultural and societal impact of such machine learning models in health…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The scientific question we hope to answer by using the data is whether pharmaceutical companies use biased algorithms to exploit black communities for profit. We hope to address the cultural and societal impact of such machine learning models in health care. This proposed project will enable personalized models for health care to best treat minority populations subject to behavioral health disorders, regardless of their insurance status, serious mental illness status, or any other legally protected class.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral
Educational
Methods Development
Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI)

Scientific Approaches

Use the electronic health records available through AIM-AHEAD, such as the database of OCHIN, and All of US, to characterize the cohort of Black patients in health record diagnosed with serious mental illness such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or borderline personality disorder. Conduct a value chain analysis of how psychiatric medicine is distributed to minority populations across the United States and develop a cross-walk methodology using natural language processing to link the cohort of patients with serious mental illness to the database of hospital prices. The next step will be to conduct statistical hypothesis testing to assess the policy impacts of our analysis: quantify whether the cohort of Black patients is subject to diagnoses which require higher or lower medication, higher or lower cost, and whether these patients reside in areas with higher or lower median income, alongside analyzing other social and environmental determinants and behavioral health.

Anticipated Findings

The project has the potential to expose dangerous algorithms within the pharmaceutical industry and suggest new ones that benefit minority patients. This research hopes to enable health care models that best treat minority populations subject to behavioral diagnoses no matter any legally protected status.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Kakuyon Mataeh - Project Personnel, One Fact Foundation
Jaan Altosaar - Other, One Fact Foundation

Duplicate of Urban Health Disparities among Black and Latino People

Globally, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas; and urbanization negatively affects the social determinants of health (WHO, 2022). Access to healthy foods and a healthy and safe environment are especially affected by urbanization; and barriers…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Globally, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas; and urbanization negatively affects the social determinants of health (WHO, 2022). Access to healthy foods and a healthy and safe environment are especially affected by urbanization; and barriers to these necessities facilitate negative mental and physical health outcomes. Environmental hazards and food access barriers disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups in urban areas, especially Black and Latino people. This analysis will utilize the All of Us Research data to analyze how urbanization contributes to health disparities in Black and Latino people who reside in a New York City borough.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

This study will utilize secondary quantitative data from the All of Us Research dataset. Multiple logistic regression will be used to determine associations between the negative aspects of urbanization and its effect on health outcomes of Black and Latino urbanites. The regression models will be adjusted for race/ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and other determinants of health.

Anticipated Findings

It is hypothesized that this study will find that urbanization negatively affects the social determinants of health, specifically food and healthcare access and a safe environment; and thus increases the likelihood of developing Type II diabetes, asthma, obesity, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. WHO (2022) anticipates that by 2050 more than 68% of the worlds population will live in urban areas. This study will add knowledge about health disparities in already marginalized populations that are most affected by the rate of urban sprawl.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Jade Bedell - Other, New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice

Functional GI Disorders Among Black/AA Patients

The aim of this study is to explore and characterize common functional GI diseases among patients who identify as African American or Black. We are interested specifically in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As a part of this research study, we…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The aim of this study is to explore and characterize common functional GI diseases among patients who identify as African American or Black. We are interested specifically in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). As a part of this research study, we will be comparing comorbidities, demographic, socioeconomic information, and medical management among among patients who identify as African American or Black, as well as Caucasians. Minority populations are more likely to face health disparities and issues related to access to care, however they are frequently underrepresented in clinical research. Research focused on investigating diseases which affect people from a an array of racial and ethnic backgrounds is one way to help take steps towards ensuring quality of clinical care for all patients.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Functional GI Diseases)

Scientific Approaches

To complete this study, we plan to utilize several datasets, based primarily on four different cohort populations from the All of Us database, including a cohort of Black patients with IBS, a cohort of Black patients without IBS, a cohort of White patients with IBS, and one without. By creating an age and sex matched control group, we will not only be able to compare differences in overall health status, but also differences in patient socioeconomic status, perceptions of the health care which they receive based on survey data, as well as basic demographics. Following the creation of the cohorts, we will use the exported data, All of US notebook and statistical software to identify whether or not there are meaningful differences between the groups.

Anticipated Findings

There have not been many studies of functional GI diseases, or IBS in general which have been specifically focused on Black populations, however one epidemiological study from 2005 demonstrated that IBS occurs less frequently among African Americans, although the disease IBS affects quality of life among both ethnicities, the degree of impairment is similar. A second population-based study has been published which explored racial differences in the overlap between IBS and dyspepsia between African American and Caucasians. Comorbid functional GI disorders other than dyspepsia have not been explored. Specific perceptions of care have also not been thoroughly explored in this population. Our study utilizing All of Us Data will contribute to the field by creating a more holistic picture of the characteristics, medical management and health perspectives of black patients living with IBS, using a generalizable population database.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Taylor Boyd - Graduate Trainee, Mass General Brigham
Casey Silvernale - Graduate Trainee, Mass General Brigham

Collaborators:

Kyle Staller - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, Mass General Brigham

Functional GI Disorders Among Black/AA Patients

The aim of this study is to explore and characterize common functional GI diseases among patients who identify as African American or Black. We are interested in comparing comorbidities, demographic and socioeconomic information, and medical management among this group. Minority…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

The aim of this study is to explore and characterize common functional GI diseases among patients who identify as African American or Black. We are interested in comparing comorbidities, demographic and socioeconomic information, and medical management among this group. Minority populations are more likely to face health disparities and issues related to access to care, however are frequently underrepresented in clinical research. Research focused on Investigating diseases, which towards to ensure better quality of clinical care for all patients.

Project Purpose(s)

Disease Focused Research (Functional GI Diseases)

Scientific Approaches

To complete this study, we plan to utilize several datasets, based primarily on four different cohort populations from the All of Us database, including a cohort of Black patients with IBS, a cohort of Black patients without IBS, a cohort of White patients with IBS, and one without. By creating an age and sex matched control group, we will not only be able to compare differences in overall health status, but also differences in patient socioeconomic status, perceptions of the health care which they receive based on survey data, as well as basic demographics. Following the creation of the cohorts, we will use the exported data, All of US notebook and statistical software to identify whether or not there are meaningful differences between the groups.

Anticipated Findings

There have not been many studies of functional GI diseases, or IBS in general which have been specifically focused on Black populations, however one epidemiological study from 2005 demonstrated that IBS occurs less frequently among African Americans, although the disease IBS affects quality of life among both ethnicities, the degree of impairment is similar. A second population-based study has been published which explored racial differences in the overlap between IBS and dyspepsia between African American and Caucasians. Comorbid functional GI disorders other than dyspepsia have not been explored. Our study utilizing All of Us Data will contribute to the field by creating a more holistic picture of the characteristics, medical management and health perspectives of black patients living with IBS, using a generalizable population database.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Taylor Boyd - Graduate Trainee, Mass General Brigham

Urban Health Disparities among Black and Latino People

Globally, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas; and urbanization negatively affects the social determinants of health (WHO, 2022). Access to healthy foods and a healthy and safe environment are especially affected by urbanization; and barriers…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

Globally, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas; and urbanization negatively affects the social determinants of health (WHO, 2022). Access to healthy foods and a healthy and safe environment are especially affected by urbanization; and barriers to these necessities facilitate negative mental and physical health outcomes. Environmental hazards and food access barriers disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups in urban areas, especially Black and Latino people. This analysis will utilize the All of Us Research data to analyze how urbanization contributes to health disparities in Black and Latino city dwellers.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

This study will utilize secondary quantitative data from the All of Us Research dataset. Multiple logistic regression will be used to determine associations between the negative aspects of urbanization and its effect on health outcomes of Black and Latino urbanites. The regression models will be adjusted for race/ethnicity, gender identity, socioeconomic status, and other determinants of health.

Anticipated Findings

It is hypothesized that this study will find that urbanization negatively affects the social determinants of health, specifically food and healthcare access and a safe environment; and thus increases the likelihood of developing Type II diabetes, asthma, obesity, and mental health issues such as depression and anxiety. WHO (2022) anticipates that by 2050 more than 68% of the worlds population will live in urban areas. This study will add knowledge about health disparities in already marginalized populations that are most affected by the rate of urban sprawl.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Controlled Tier

Research Team

Owner:

Jade Bedell - Other, New York Medical College School of Health Sciences and Practice

HIV risk of Black behaviorally bisexual women

I will use this workbench to help recruit participants for a research study. The study is intended to explore the lived experiences of women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) and the connection between their relationship dynamics and…

Scientific Questions Being Studied

I will use this workbench to help recruit participants for a research study. The study is intended to explore the lived experiences of women who have sex with women and men (WSWM) and the connection between their relationship dynamics and sexual practices, in relation to HIV risk.

The specific question I intend to study is: How do the relationship dynamics and sexual practices of Black behaviorally sexual women influence HIV risk?

Looking at the relationship dynamics of WSWM (i.e. self-esteem, power, and intimate partner violence) may help gain insight on the sexual risk behaviors of WSWM’s that exist in those relationships, and how they may be related to increased HIV risk. Identifying these dynamics and behaviors may inform future clinical cultural competence interventions which address the problem associated with the phenomena of sexual practices within WSWM relationships, and increased HIV risk within these relationships, which result from unprotected sex.

Project Purpose(s)

Population Health
Social / Behavioral

Scientific Approaches

I plan to conduct a qualitative study, using a phenomenological approach. Participant qualification will be deemed by completion of a participant inclusion survey. All study questions will be answered in a virtual interview format (i.e. Zoom).

Anticipated Findings

This study was designed to address the limited research that currently exists on HIV prevention and testing interventions for women who have sex with women, to also include interactions with men. The anticipated findings from the study intend to identify which dynamics of participant relationships (i.e self-esteem, power) may contribute to sexual decision making. The intent is to identify patterns in sexual decision making and consequent sexual-risk taking behaviors that may increase risk in contracting or transmitting HIV.

Demographic Categories of Interest

Data Set Used

Registered Tier

Research Team

Owner:

DaJaneil McCree - Early Career Tenure-track Researcher, University of Michigan

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