Mary-Ann Shafer, Cherrie B. Boyer,
Psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection, among urban high school students,
The Journal of Pediatrics,
Volume 119, Issue 5,
1991,
Pages 826-833,
ISSN 0022-3476,
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-3476(05)80312-9.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022347605803129)

Shafer MA, Boyer CB. Psychosocial and behavioral factors associated with risk of sexually transmitted diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection, among urban high school students. J Pediatr. 1991 Nov;119(5):826-33. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(05)80312-9. PMID: 1941394.

Goldsmith, L., & Bell, M. L. (2021, December 22). Queering Environmental Justice: Unequal environmental health burden on ... https://ajph.aphapublications.org/doi/full/10.2105/AJPH.2021.306406 

President, Julia Cusick   Vice, et al. “HIV/AIDS Inequality: Structural Barriers to Prevention, Treatment, and Care in Communities of Color.” Center for American Progress, 5 Oct. 2023, www.americanprogress.org/article/hivaids-inequality-structural-barriers-to-prevention-treatment-and-care-in-communities-of-color/.

Talman, A., Bolton, S., & Walson, J. L. (2013, February). Interactions between HIV/AIDS and the environment: Toward a syndemic framework. American journal of public health. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3558758/#:~:text=Environmental%20changes%20may%20foster%20conditions,an%20increase%20in%20diarrheal%20pathogens. 

Wittke, Evan. “What You Need to Know About HIV in Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender People in the U.S.” The Body, 18 June 2020, www.thebody.com/health/hiv-aids-lgbtq. 

Why is the health outcome a problem, or how does the burden play out for the community?

Low: HIV is Human Immunodeficiency Virus. 

A virus that attacks cells that help the body fight infection, making a person more vulnerable to other infections and diseases.

There are 7,000+ people diagnosed and living with HIV in Kentucky as of 2019. 20% of new cases are diagnosed among people ages 13-24. 66% of HIV is transmitted by HIV positive people who are not retained in medical care. 23% of HIV is transmitted by people infected with HIV but undiagnosed and unaware.

No effective cure exists for HIV--but, by taking HIV medicine (called antiretroviral therapy or ART), people with HIV can live long and healthy lives and prevent transmitting HIV to their sexual partners.

What does this person's field/discipline do to address the problem?

Low: I am a sexual health coordinator on campus. I provide a lot of different programs and services; 

Sexuality Coaching

Personal Sexual Health Resource Kits (SHK)

Free HIV Screening

Sexual Health and Relationships Program Requests

STI Testing and Treatment

HIV Testing and Referrals For HIV Treatment

PrEP & PEP Resources 

Contraceptive Care

Well Person Exams

How does this person's field/discipline interact with public health in their work?

Low works hard managing a team of sexual health advocate leaders on campus. They educate students across campus in personal and group sessions, provide a plethora of resources, and advocate for students who need help. Low’s goal is to help as many students as they can learn more comprehensive sexual education and give students the best possible chance they can of having a healthy sex life. Low works closely with students and interacts with them one on one.