Team Members
- Andrea Dunn
- J. Richelle Joe
- Shan-Estelle Brown
Research Project Description
The 2021-2025 HIV National Strategic Plan identifies Black women as a priority population given the disproportionate prevalence of HIV within this group. Additionally, Orange County, Florida was identified as a priority jurisdiction in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. Our project aims to center the nuanced experiences of Black women and illuminate their sexual health and HIV prevention needs with an emphasis on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Black women of all demographics experience differential and worse health outcomes than other women due to structural racism broadly, and discrimination in healthcare settings specifically. Given the critical role that Black women play in their families and communities, an HIV diagnosis or poor HIV-related health outcomes can have social and economic effects that reverberate throughout their social networks. Hence, through this project we prioritize the sexual health of Black women to facilitate a culture of health where HIV diagnoses are rare and the illness itself is manageable. Our research approach is deliberately community-engaged with an emphasis on bringing together diverse stakeholders to inform efforts to eliminate obstacles to HIV prevention faced by Black women in Orange County, FL. Data will be collected and analyzed using individual interviewing and concept mapping with stakeholders including a diverse sample of Black women and representatives of multiple local HIV/AIDS-serving organizations.
Team Members
Andrea Dunn
Dr. Andrea Dunn is the Founder and Executive Director of Let's Beehive!, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Orlando, FL. She is very passionate about helping reduce the rates of HIV/AIDS in the community and help fill gaps in knowledge as it relates to HIV education, awareness, and prevention services among at risk populations disproportionately affected by this disease; especially heterosexual women and youth of color who are often underserved and misinformed.
J. Richelle Joe
J. Richelle Joe is an Associate Professor of counselor education at the University of Central Florida. In addition to training future mental health, marriage/family, and school counselors, she engages in service and research that focus on culturally responsive engagement with underserved and marginalized individuals and families. She is particularly dedicated to raising awareness about HIV and addressing its prevention and treatment through a psychosocial lens.
Shan-Estelle Brown
Shan-Estelle Brown, PhD is Assistant Professor of Anthropology and Coordinator of the Global Health Program at Rollins College. Previously, she was Postdoctoral Research Associate in the AIDS Program at Yale School of Medicine. She is a mixed-methods medical anthropologist conducting community-engaged research, improving medical technologies, understanding patients' perceptions of risk and wellbeing, and identifying structural facilitators and barriers to access and retention in healthcare.
