Clinical Research Directory

Family Acceptance Project Online (Pilot RCT)

Research shows that sexual and gender minority youth (SGMY) experience high rates of mental health problems and other challenges (e.g., social, academic). A major factor that leads to these challenges is family rejection (family behaviors and reactions that minimize, deny, ridicule and attempt to prevent or change a child's sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression). Racial and ethnic minority youth experience the highest rates of family rejection and related health risks. The Family Acceptance Project (FAP) is a research, education, and intervention initiative that was founded more than 20 years ago to help diverse families learn to support and affirm their SGMY. FAP's Family Support Model is grounded in the lived experiences of diverse SGMY and families and uses a culture-based family support framework that enables parents and caregivers to change rejecting behaviors that FAP's research has shown contribute to health risks and increase supportive and accepting behaviors that promote well-being for SGMY. The overall goal of this research project is to evaluate a nine-week online version of FAP's Family Support Model (FAP-O). The investigators will specifically study how FAP-O: 1. Promotes parent/caregiver acceptance and support of their sexual and gender minority youth. 2. Increases family bonding and communication. 3. Increases SGMYs' feelings of pride in being LGBTQ+ and more hopeful about the future. 4. Leads to reductions in mental health problems reported by SGMY who experience family rejection. Before receiving FAP-O's family support services, racial and ethnic minority SGMY (ages 14 to 25) and their caregivers will complete an initial pre-test survey. After completing this initial (baseline) survey, half of the families will participate in program sessions. Following the first round of sessions, all participants will complete an immediate follow-up survey, with an additional survey conducted six months after this. These surveys help us learn if FAP-O impacts the project's goals above. After the final survey, the other half of the families will attend program sessions. The investigators will also ask SGMY and caregivers to share what they liked about the program and their guidance for enhancing it.

Lakota Family Acceptance Project

The goal of this open pilot trial (OPT) is to develop a Lakota-adapted Family Acceptance Project (LFAP) for Indigenous 2SLGBTQ+ youth and their caregivers. The OPT is specifically focused on acceptability, feasibility, and safety of programming and research protocols. The investigators will also examine pre- to post- changes on outcomes for the sole purposes of making sure scores on measures are changing in the hypothesized direction (e.g., depression scores are going from moderate to minimal as opposed to no change or depression scores increasing). Once enrolled in the study, participants complete a baseline survey. Then participants will engage in LFAP which is an 8-session group intervention; sessions will be scheduled once a week for eight weeks (at 2 hours per session). Participants will complete survey instruments before and immediately after the program sessions, in addition to post-program surveys and an exit interview.

Effect of the HCC Liver-Link Intervention

This study is a pilot, multi-center randomized controlled trial testing the HCC Liver-Link intervention, a culturally tailored, multi-level program designed to reduce racial disparities in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) care. The intervention combines: (1) patient education to improve HCC-related disease and treatment knowledge, (2) social needs and substance use screening with referral to social work and community resources, and (3) facilitated access to subspecialty cancer care through a multidisciplinary HCC tumor board. A total of 40 Black patients with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0, A, or downstaged B disease will be randomized to receive either the HCC Liver-Link intervention or usual care and followed for 6 months or until liver transplant waitlisting. Primary outcomes are time to receipt of curative therapies (liver transplantation or resection) and change in HCC-related knowledge. Findings will inform development of larger interventions to eliminate racial disparities in HCC outcomes.

The Influence of Mitochondrial-Derived Reactive Oxygen Species on Racial Disparities in Neurovascular Function

Black individuals are at increased cardiovascular disease risk. The central goal of the study is to determine if mitochondrial reactive oxygen species influence blood vessel function and nervous system regulation of blood pressure differentially in black, compared to white individuals. These findings may help to explain a potential mechanism that contributes to racial disparities in blood pressure and cardiovascular disease risk. A secondary goal is to determine if mitochondrial reactive oxygen species improves blood pressure and vascular function in individuals with elevated blood pressure and stage 1 hypertension.

Treating Genital Herpes Infection to Reduce Racial Disparities in the Risk of Severe Maternal Morbidity

Severe Maternal Morbidity (SMM) has been associated with maternal mortality, fetal risk, and long-term maternal risk. African American (AA) women are at consistently higher risk than White women. However, factors contributing to these racial disparities are largely unknown and commonly known factors have not been able to explain them, so strategies to reduce them are absent. CDC reports that the rate of GHSV infection is 4 times higher in AA than White women. Studies have shown that pregnant women with genital herpes simplex virus (GHSV) infection are at higher risk of SMM and that treating women with GHSV using existing anti-herpes medications could reduce SMM risk. To address the question of racial disparities in SMM and examine the comparative effectiveness of treating women with GHSV infection to reduce the risk of SMM, the investigators are conducting a large cohort study with a two-stage design, combining an EMR-based cohort (Stage I) with a sub-cohort interview (Stage II) to examine the impact of confounders not available from EMR data. Based on status of GHSV and treatment, 4 cohorts of women will be established: (1) those with GHSV infection receiving treatment early in pregnancy; (2) those with GHSV infection receiving treatment later in pregnancy; (3) those with GHSV infection untreated during pregnancy; and (4) those without GHSV. Given that racial disparities in SMM present serious challenges, the study will provide much needed data to address the effectiveness of treating GHSV on reducing racial disparities in SMM.