Current Research Projects
Keep It Up!
Keep It Up! (KIU!) is a multi-media, Internet-based HIV prevention program developed specifically for 18-24 year old young men who have sex with men (YMSM) who recently tested HIV negative. The intervention is based on the Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills Model for HIV risk behavior change, principles of E-learning, and qualitative research with ethnically diverse YMSM. Intervention content is delivered in various formats like games, animation, and videos with topics including community involvement, communication skills in relationships (including negotiating safer sex), condom use, HIV knowledge, and HIV/STI risks. The goal of the program is for HIV negative YMSM to “Keep It Up!” and maintain the behaviors that keep them safe and negative.
Keep It Up! (KIU!) is a multi-media, Internet-based HIV prevention program developed specifically for 18-24 year old young men who have sex with men (YMSM) who recently tested HIV negative. The intervention is based on the Information-Motivation-Behavior Skills Model for HIV risk behavior change, principles of E-learning, and qualitative research with ethnically diverse YMSM. Intervention content is delivered in various formats like games, animation, and videos with topics including community involvement, communication skills in relationships (including negotiating safer sex), condom use, HIV knowledge, and HIV/STI risks. The goal of the program is for HIV negative YMSM to “Keep It Up!” and maintain the behaviors that keep them safe and negative.
Funding sources for KIU! have included the National Institutes of Mental Health and the Chicago Department of Public Health through funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. KIU! was developed and conducted in partnership with Center on Halsted, Howard Brown Health Center, the Center for the Advancement of Distance Education, and the Health Informatics Program in the Department of Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University.
Project Q2
A longitudinal Study of LGBT Youth ages 16-20 at baseline. Focused on the individual and sociocultural predictors of mental health, substance use, HIV risk, and resilience. Funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The David Bonnett Foundation funded UIC LGBT seed fund, and the William T Grant Foundation. Conducted in partnership with Children’s Memorial Hospital.
A longitudinal Study of LGBT Youth ages 16-20 at baseline. Focused on the individual and sociocultural predictors of mental health, substance use, HIV risk, and resilience. Funded by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The David Bonnett Foundation funded UIC LGBT seed fund, and the William T Grant Foundation. Conducted in partnership with Children’s Memorial Hospital.
CREW 450
Crew450 is designed to study the prevalence, course, and predictors of a syndemic (multiple co-occurring epidemics that contribute to excess burden of disease) of health issues. Crew 450 will explore HIV risk, drug use, internalizing mental health problems, and violence exposure linked to HIV among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) ages 16-20. Participants will be followed for two years to identify multiple trajectories of syndemic development. State-of-the-art modeling approaches will be used to identify predictors of trajectory class and consequences of class membership. This project is funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Conducted in partnership with Children’s Memorial Hospital.
Crew450 is designed to study the prevalence, course, and predictors of a syndemic (multiple co-occurring epidemics that contribute to excess burden of disease) of health issues. Crew 450 will explore HIV risk, drug use, internalizing mental health problems, and violence exposure linked to HIV among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) ages 16-20. Participants will be followed for two years to identify multiple trajectories of syndemic development. State-of-the-art modeling approaches will be used to identify predictors of trajectory class and consequences of class membership. This project is funded by the National Institute of Drug Abuse. Conducted in partnership with Children’s Memorial Hospital.
Queer Sex Ed
What are the positive and negative effects of the Internet on the development of sexual health among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youth? How can it be used to promote positive sexual health? This five year project has three aims: 1) To conduct formative qualitative research on GLB youth use of the Internet and how it is linked to sexual health. 2) To study patterns of Internet use and sexual health using longitudinal data. 3) To translate findings from the first two projects into the creation of evidence-informed online health promotion materials. This project is funded by a William T. Grant Foundation Scholars Award.
What are the positive and negative effects of the Internet on the development of sexual health among gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youth? How can it be used to promote positive sexual health? This five year project has three aims: 1) To conduct formative qualitative research on GLB youth use of the Internet and how it is linked to sexual health. 2) To study patterns of Internet use and sexual health using longitudinal data. 3) To translate findings from the first two projects into the creation of evidence-informed online health promotion materials. This project is funded by a William T. Grant Foundation Scholars Award.
Developmental Infrastructure for Population Research
This network grant is design to build the infrastructure for a population research center housed at the Fenway Institute, but which networks faculty from around the country. The goal of the center will be to develop expertise in LGBT population health. The center is funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Dr. Mustanski is a participating scientist and Dr. Judy Bradford at the Fenway Institute is the principal investigator.
Guy2Guy
Guy2Guy (G2G) is an exciting new text messaging-based HIV prevention project designed specifically for adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM), ages 14-18. This study is a joint collaboration between the IMPACT Program at Northwestern University and the Center for Innovative Public Health Research, a non-profit research group in California. G2G is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
Guy2Guy (G2G) is an exciting new text messaging-based HIV prevention project designed specifically for adolescent men who have sex with men (AMSM), ages 14-18. This study is a joint collaboration between the IMPACT Program at Northwestern University and the Center for Innovative Public Health Research, a non-profit research group in California. G2G is funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
