Short Communication: Population Representation in HIV Cure Research: A Review of Diversity Within HIV Cure Studies Based in the United States

Roberts, Carly A.; Creamer, Emma K.; Boone, Cheriko A; Young, A. Toni; Magnus, Manya

doi:10.1089/aid.2021.0127

Cited by 5 publications

(2 citation statements)

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“…A 2016 study showed that only 5.8% of providers entering the HIV workforce identified as Black/African American, a figure that poorly reflects the relative size of this minority group in the US population and the disparate HIV burden experienced by Black Americans. 12,13 In 2021, the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) responded to a call from the NIH to participate in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pathway Initiative (CDEIPI) to improve representation of trainees engaged "in HIV science at the high school, undergraduate, graduate [,] and postdoctoral levels." In this study, we describe the structure of our program, logic model guiding our work, and program evaluation to date.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Early Engagement in HIV Research: Evaluation of the Penn CFAR Scholars Program Aimed at Increasing Diversity of the HIV/AIDS Workforce

Kreider,

Ortega-Burgos,

Dumeng-Rodriguez

et al. 2023

JAIDS Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

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Background: Demographic diversity is not represented in the HIV/AIDS workforce. Engagement of underrepresented trainees as early as high school may address this disparity. Methods: We established the Penn Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) Scholars Program, a mentored research experience for underrepresented minority (URM) trainees spanning educational stages from high school to medical school. The program provides participants with tailored educational programming, professional skill building, and mentored research experiences. We conducted qualitative interviews with scholar, mentor, and leadership groups to evaluate the program's impact. Results: Eleven participants were selected to partake in 1 of 5 existing mentored research programs as CFAR scholars. Scholars attended an 8-week HIV Seminar Series that covered concepts in the basic, clinical, behavioral, and community-based HIV/AIDS research. Program evaluation revealed that scholars’ knowledge of HIV pathophysiology and community impact increased because of these seminars. In addition, they developed tangible skills in literature review, bench techniques, qualitative assessment, data analysis, and professional network building. Scholars reported improved academic self-efficacy and achieved greater career goal clarity. Areas for improvement included clarification of mentor–mentee roles, expectations for longitudinal mentorship, and long-term engagement between scholars. Financial stressors, lack of social capital, and structural racism were identified as barriers to success for URM trainees. Conclusion: The Penn CFAR Scholars Program is a novel mentored research program that successfully engaged URM trainees from early educational stages. Barriers and facilitators to sustained efforts of diversifying the HIV/AIDS workforce were identified and will inform future program planning.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%