Gene-environment interaction effects on HIV risk

Principal Investigator:  Brian Mustanski, PhD

Funding:  National Institute on Drug Abuse

This study capitalizes on a natural experiment involving some families in a longitudinal study relocating out of public housing to higher SES neighborhoods.  We are exploring the interaction between genes and neighborhood environment to predict a cluster of behavioral and health issues linked to HIV risk. The long-term goal is to use these data to develop biological, behavioral, structural, or multilevel interventions for urban, impoverished adolescents highly vulnerable to HIV.

Specific aims are to:

• test a bioecological model of HIV risk behaviors among impoverished AA youth;
• identify mediators and moderators of genes and neighborhoods on a cluster of HIV risk behaviors among impoverished AA youth;
• conduct all of the research and dissemination of findings according to the highest bioethical standards