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Our Work

What Do We Do at the Lighthouse?

Our research team uses innovative data collection methods to assess behavioral and social factors that affect health. The hallmark of our work is to design and implement peer-based interventions, three of which have been designated as evidenced-based interventions by the CDC and are now used by communities around the world.

In addition to our community research activities, we provide our clients with information, risk reduction materials, and referrals to medical, mental health, and social services.

Current Projects

Our research team employs diverse methods including ecological momentary assessments, community-based participatory research, longitudinal analysis, social networks analysis, and mHealth. Here are a few of our projects now underway in Baltimore and elsewhere. 

A geospatial analysis of hotspots and targeted injection settings pilot intervention for HIV prevention among people who inject drugs in Baltimore, Maryland

This study will identify “hotspot” locations with high rates of HIV or HCV infection, high HIV viral loads, or drug-resistant HIV strains. PI is Carl Latkin.

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An evaluation of a social network intervention for primary and secondary prevention of opioid overdoses

The proposed study is based on prior research examining how social networks can be leveraged to develop robust and sustainable interventions for behavior change among opiate users. PI is Carl Latkin.

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Health disparities, stress pathways, and stress-related comorbidities among MSM living with HIV

This study will look at which modifiable stressors are most strongly associated with the health of MSM. PIs are Carl Latkin and Cui Yang.

Assessing the acceptability and feasibility of using an automated text messaging application to promote and monitor peer outreach among PWID

This study is examining the facilitators and barriers to PWID engaging in mHealth interventions. PI is Lauren Dayton

Development and implementation of a peer education training to promote climate change action in social networks 

The project aims to understand public perception of climate change messages and to pilot test an online intervention to promote climate change activism. PIs are Lauren Dayton and Carl Latkin with support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.

Identifying barriers and facilitators to engagement in climate change activism

This study will identify the barriers and facilitators to climate change activism, especially among vulnerable and minority community members. The goal is to develop brief videos for climate changemakers about common barriers to climate change activism and strategies to overcome them. PIs are Lauren Dayton and Carl Latkin with support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.

Transgender Health/Housing/HIV Equity Project (T.H3.E Project): Ending the Transgender HIV Epidemic

This project will assess the delivery and effects of an integrated intervention (e.g., Housing First, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and HIV/AIDS intensive case management) to improve PrEP uptake and viral load suppression for transgender health, housing, and HIV equity in Los Angeles and Orange Counties. PIs are Melissa Davey-Rothwell and Karin Tobin.

Building a multi-sector academic-community partnership to develop programs and policies that prevent and reduce violence against BIPOC transgender women

The goals of this project are to expand partnership aims to address violence by engaging individuals across various sector to increase individual and organizational competency about BIPOC TGW needs and identify and implement feasible policies and practices to reduce and respond to violence. PI is Karin Tobin with support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.

Pilot trial of an intervention to increase HIV engagement and reduce intimate partner violence among Black women living with HIV

NIH  

This is a pilot intervention to improve HIV and intimate partner violence outcomes for Black women living with HIV in Baltimore. Co-PI is Karin Tobin

A pilot peer mentor intervention that trains Black MSM to use and promote uptake of HIV/STI self-testing to peers and sex partners

The proposed study focuses on training BMSM to promote web-based self-testing for HIV and STI among people in their social networks. PI is Karin Tobin

Program Evaluation of Casa de Zulma: a supportive housing program in Los Angeles for transgender women (TGW) and its impact on substance use and violence outcomes

The purpose of this project is to evaluate Casa Zulma, a housing intervention operated through APAIT/SSG. Co-PI is Karin Tobin with support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative.

Browse some of our past projects, and find publications by author on our faculty profile pages