Intimate partner violence types are differentially associated with substance use among young, urban, sexual minority men of color.

Sexual minority men of color report intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance use at elevated rates compared to heterosexual peers, but little is known about how types (physical/sexual, controlling, monitoring, emotional) of perpetration and victimization are connected to types of substance use. Associations between past-6-month IPV experiences and substance use (tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, poppers, cocaine) were examined among sexual minority men (N = 414; 18-27 years). IPV victimization and perpetration were reported by 22% and 14% of the sample.

Strategies to promote language inclusion at 17 CTSA hubs.

The prioritization of English language in clinical research is a barrier to translational science. We explored promising practices to advance the inclusion of people who speak languages other than English in research conducted within and supported by NIH Clinical Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs. Key informant interviews were conducted with representatives ( = 24) from CTSA hubs ( = 17).

Community-Based Public Health Vaccination Campaign (VaccinateLA) in Los Angeles' Black and Latino Communities: Protocol for a Participatory Study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly affected Los Angeles County and disproportionately impacted Black and Latino populations who experienced disparities in rates of infection, hospitalizations, morbidity, and mortality. The University of Southern California (USC), USC Keck School of Medicine, Southern California Clinical and Translational Science Institute, USC Mann School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Annenberg School for Journalism and Communication, and Children's Hospital Los Angeles will launch a collaborative public health campaign called VaccinateLA.

Objective: VaccinateLA will implement a community-based, community-partnered public health campaign that (1) delivers culturally tailored information about COVID-19 and available vaccines; and (2) addresses misinformation and disinformation, which serves as a barrier to vaccine uptake.

Research Ambassador Program: An innovative educational approach to addressing underrepresentation of minority populations in clinical research.

Clinical trial participation among historically underrepresented populations remains low in large part due to mistrust of academic institutions and research investigators. Mistrust may be ever greater today given misinformation related to COVID-19. The Research Ambassador Program is an interactive educational workshop delivered by /Community Health Workers and designed to both address common myths, fears, and concerns about research and encourage research participation among underrepresented populations.

Health and service utilization among a sample of gender-diverse youth of color: the TRUTH study.

Background: While there is growing research considering the experiences of transgender youth whose identities align with the gender binary, especially among young trans women, there are significantly fewer studies that accurately capture data about nonbinary youth, and even fewer studies capturing the experiences of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) youth of color. The purpose of this research was to assess the prevalence of sexual health behaviors, mental health challenges, substance use, and healthcare utilization among Black/African American, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander, indigenous and multi-racial/ethnic TGD youth, who have been largely underrepresented in research.

Methods: A total of 108 TGD youth ages 16-24 were recruited into the Trans Youth of Color Study (TRUTH).

Greater lifetime stressor exposure is associated with poorer mental health among sexual minority people of color.

Background: Research has shown that sexual minority people of color experience pervasive and sometimes severe life stressors that increase their risk of experiencing mental health problems, and that can contribute to lifelong health disparities. However, no studies in this population have investigated stressor exposure occurring over the entire lifespan. Moreover, it remains unknown whether these stressor-health effects differ based on the timing or types of stressors experienced.

Can a linking crosswalk table be applied to a different population? An independent validation study for a crosswalk between BSI depression and PROMIS depression scales.

A linking procedure establishes a "bridge" between the scores from different patient-reported outcome (PRO) instruments that measure similar constructs. After developing a linking relationship however, it is critical to evaluate whether this relationship can be generalized to different groups. Our study aims to validate a published crosswalk for score conversion between the Brief Symptom Inventory Depression subscale and the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression 8a using an independent sample.

The Role of Anti-Racist Community-Partnered Praxis in Implementing Restorative Circles Within Marginalized Communities in Southern California During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the adverse influence of structural racism and discrimination experienced by historically marginalized communities (e.g., Black, Latino/a/x, Indigenous, and transgender people).

A Trans Youth of Color Study to Measure Health and Wellness: Protocol for a Longitudinal Observation Study.

Background: Growing research on transgender youth is accounting for the variety of ways in which young people define their genders and sexualities. Because of this growing representation, more research is needed to understand how intersectional identities and stigma affect risk for HIV acquisition along the HIV care continuum and engagement in mental and physical health care. Little is known about accessibility to HIV-related prevention services of nonbinary and transmasculine youth, and further understanding of the impacts on transfeminine people-those who have historically faced the highest prevalence of HIV positivity-is crucial.

Intersectional stigma subgroup differences in unhealthy drinking and disordered marijuana use among Black and Latino cisgender sexual minority young men.

Background: We investigated associations of intersectional stigma subgroups with alcohol and marijuana use among Black and Latino sexual minority young men. Subgroups included Minimal Stigma (low to no stigma), Select Social Stigma (occasional stigma in social relationships), Multiform Heterosexism (internalized and interpersonal heterosexism from family/friends), Multiform Racism (racism across diverse contexts), Compound Stigma (frequent, ubiquitous racism and heterosexism).

Methods: Cohort of Black and Latino cisgender sexual minority young men (n = 414; baseline ages 16-25) surveyed semiannually 2016-2019.

Combining the HYM (Healthy Young Men's) Cohort Study and the TRUTH (A Trans Youth of Color Study): Protocol for an Expanded Mixed Methods Study Renewal.

Background: As we enter the fifth decade of the AIDS epidemic, health researchers and AIDS activists reflect both on the progress that has been made and the importance of continued prevention efforts for those most at risk. As HIV infection rates continue to fluctuate across communities, a trend has emerged with new HIV infections becoming increasingly concentrated-with cascading effects-among people aged <30 years, from marginalized racial and ethnic groups, and who are sexual or gender minorities.

Objective: In this paper, we discuss the renewal of the Healthy Young Men's (HYM) Cohort Study and the addition of a subcohort-TRUTH: A Transgender Youth of Color Study.

Gut dysbiosis and inflammatory blood markers precede HIV with limited changes after early seroconversion.

Background: Alterations in the gut microbiome have been associated with HIV infection, but the relative impact of HIV versus other factors on the gut microbiome has been difficult to determine in cross-sectional studies.

Methods: To address this, we examined the gut microbiome, serum metabolome, and cytokines longitudinally within 27 individuals before and during acute HIV using samples collected from several ongoing cohort studies. Matched control participants (n=28) from the same cohort studies without HIV but at similar behavioral risk were used for comparison.

Development of an HIV Prevention Intervention for African American Young Men Who Have Sex With Men (Y2Prevent): Study Protocol.

Background: African American young men who have sex with men (YMSM) possess many intersecting identities that may increase their vulnerability to social stigmatization and discrimination, which yields a negative influence on their well-being and behaviors. These experiences often manifest as increased general and sexual risk-taking behaviors that place this particular group at an increased risk for HIV. This scenario is exacerbated by the lack of HIV prevention interventions specifically designed for African American YMSM.

What affects timely linkage to HIV Care for Young Men of Color who have sex with Men? Young Men's Experiences Accessing HIV Care after Seroconverting.

The HIV care continuum provides intervention points that should be addressed to optimally identify, engage, and retain populations in HIV care. This study addressed the lack of research into barriers and facilitators of linkage to care for HIV-positive young men who have sex with men (YMSM) of color. Data were collected using a qualitative timeline follow-back interview approach with YMSM who had seroconverted in the last 6 months.

Longitudinal trajectories of prescription opioid misuse in adolescents.

Background: Adolescent misuse of prescription opioids is hazardous. This study aimed to generate data on prescription opioid misuse trajectories across adolescence and identify risk factors and mechanisms for more dangerous use trajectories.

Methods: Using a prospective longitudinal cohort repeated measures design, baseline (Fall 2013) and seven semiannual assessments were administered through Spring 2017 in 10 public high schools in Los Angeles, CA.

Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake in the LGBTQIA Community.

To report findings from qualitative research that describe sources of hesitancy and barriers to vaccine uptake among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and asexual (LGBTQIA) populations. In March 2021, we conducted focus groups with members of the Los Angeles, California LGBTQIA community to identify barriers to becoming vaccinated. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 32 individuals in 5 focus groups.

Examining the impact of social distancing and methamphetamine use on sexual risk and intimate partner violence in sexual and gender minority young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, concerns were raised about the potential impact of pandemic-related social distancing measures on existing health disparities among sexual and gender minority (SGM) young adults, including HIV transmission risk and intimate partner violence (IPV). Another concern was the potential for increased methamphetamine use during the pandemic, which is a known risk factor for HIV transmission and IPV.

Methods: The present analysis examines the impact of COVID-19 social distancing (social distancing and quarantining) and methamphetamine use on HIV risk and IPV in a combined dataset from 3 cohort studies of SGM young adults (two in Los Angeles and one in Chicago) from May 2020 to April 2021 (n = 1142).

HIV, psychological resilience, and substance misuse during the COVID-19 pandemic: A multi-cohort study.

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted mental health, increasing rates of substance misuse. Resilience is a positive adaptation to stress that may act as a buffer against adverse mental health outcomes. Based on prior knowledge, we hypothesized that PLWH would display higher resilience than HIV-uninfected peers, and that high resilience would be associated with lower risk of substance misuse.

Body Image Concerns, Correlates, and Community Connection Among Black and Latinx Sexual Minority Cisgender Men and Transgender/Gender Nonconforming Young Adults.

We extended the focus on body image research beyond cisgender, White sexual minority men (SMM) by describing body image concerns among Black and Latinx SMM and transgender/gender nonconforming (TGNC) adults and by examining protective effects of community connection. From 2016 to 2020, 447 Black and Latinx SMM (94%) and TGNC (6%) individuals in Los Angeles provided data semiannually. Participant endorsement of any body image concerns was determined by five body image codes (weight, fitness, appearance, body area dissatisfaction, and general body image) applied to participants' open-ended lists of health and body concerns.

Intersecting racism and homonegativism among sexual minority men of color: Latent class analysis of multidimensional stigma with subgroup differences in health and sociostructural burdens.

Rationale: Applying an intersectional framework to quantitative public health research among Black and Latino sexual minority men requires analysis that considers interlocking, multidimensional systems of racist and homonegative oppression that fundamentally subvert health. In this study, person-centered methods reflected the complexity of intersecting stigma and how subgroups experience that intersection differently.

Methods: Data were from a cohort of 435 Black and Latino sexual minority young men (mean age = 22.

Multiple Minority Stress and Behavioral Health Among Young Black and Latino Sexual Minority Men.

Young Black and Latino sexual minority men may experience multiple minority stressors, which may negatively impact behavioral health. To investigate this, longitudinal associations between multiple minority stressors and behavioral health outcomes were examined over a 2-year period. Data were from the Healthy Young Men's Cohort Study.

Linking racism and homonegativity to healthcare system distrust among young men of color who have sex with men: Evidence from the Healthy Young Men's (HYM) study.

Background: Experiences with racism predict healthcare system distrust among people of color, but Black and Latino young men who have sex with men (YMSM) also experience overlapping forms of stigma associated with their sexual identities and behaviors (i.e., homonegativity and internalized homonegativity).

A Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) study of medication and CBT sequencing in the treatment of pediatric anxiety disorders.

Background: Treatment of a child who has an anxiety disorder usually begins with the question of which treatment to start first, medication or psychotherapy. Both have strong empirical support, but few studies have compared their effectiveness head-to-head, and none has investigated what to do if the treatment tried first isn't working well-whether to optimize the treatment already begun or to add the other treatment.

Methods: This is a single-blind Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) of 24 weeks duration with two levels of randomization, one in each of two 12-week stages.

Work2Prevent, an Employment Intervention Program as HIV Prevention for Young Men Who Have Sex With Men and Transgender Youth of Color (Phase 3): Protocol for a Single-Arm Community-Based Trial to Assess Feasibility and Acceptability in a Real-World Setting.

Background: In the United States, young cisgender men who have sex with men (YMSM), young transgender women (YTW), and gender nonconforming (GNC) youth face elevated rates of HIV infection. However, racial and ethnic disparities in adolescent HIV infection cannot be attributed to individual-level factors alone and are situated within larger social and structural contexts that marginalize and predispose sexual and gender minority youth of color to HIV. Addressing broader ecological factors that drive transmission requires interventions that focus on the distal drivers of HIV infection, including violence exposure, housing, food insecurity, educational attainment, and employment.