Posted on August 21, 2014
Source: Elizabeth Garcia, Baltimore HIV Scholar
I was not aware of the HIV epidemic that is happening here in the city of Baltimore. I immediately wondered what we could do to reduce the prevalence HIV/AIDS infection in Baltimore, but also how could we do this without being invasive in these communities. More importantly, how could I be part of this movement? One simple, yet complex approach is to address the risk incidences that occur in Baltimore City by understanding the circumstances that may lead into risk behaviors. Fortunately for me, I have the amazing opportunity to work with Dr. Debra Furr-Holden this summer and we are observing and analyzing risk behaviors at liquor outlet stores throughout the city. We hope to understand what makes them attractive not only to violence, but also what makes them popular areas for risky behaviors?
Since starting the internship, we have continuously edited and re-edited our observational tool to look for items that can be categorized as youth violence indicators, HIV/STI indicators, and any other indicator that could influence risky behaviors in those communities. This summer is just beginning, and I am very much looking forward to piloting additional survey and tools for this project. You can learn more about our work here: http://www.divestudies.com/
