Early in the HIV epidemic, the importance of behavior in the transmission of the virus and the progressionof disease was widely recognized. Behavioral issues remain extremely important in understanding suchcritical aspects of the epidemic as primary and secondary prevention, participation in HIV testing andmedical care, and behavioral aspects of disease progression (e.g., the roles of such variables as adherence,depression and substance abuse on disease; cognitive and psychiatric sequelae of HIV infection).Comprehensive programs of HtV research that can demonstrate the relationships between basic and clinicalscience variables (e.g., patterns of viral resistance, HIV-related morbidity and mortality, or treatment effects)and behavioral variables are necessary for a full understanding of ways to improve outcomes.The overall mission of the Behavioral Sciences Core (BSC) of the UAB CFAR is to make a substantialcontribution to interdisciplinary HIV-related research - whether initiated by behavioral, clinical, basicsciences, epidemiology, or other faculty - and assure a value-added contribution to CFAR throughintegration of behavioral expertise into the fullest range possible of CFAR activities. The BSC's specific aimsare as follows: (1) developing the capacity of behavioral sciences faculty throughout UAB to conceptualizeand implement HIV-related behavioral research projects, including those that are community-, clinically-, andinternationally-based; (2) developing the capacity of non-behavioral sciences faculty, particularly thoseassociated with the UAB CFAR, in the range of behavioral variables, measures, and interventions that maybe incorporated into a comprehensive HIV research program; and (3) facilitating linkages between the CFARand other centers of behavioral expertise within the UAB community, such as the Center for HealthPromotion (CHP).Specific areas of expertise within the BSC include recruitment into clinical or vaccine trials, adherence toantiretroviral therapy and other health recommendations, assessment of behavioral mediators of clinicaloutcomes, community-based HIV prevention and behavioral interventions, the interaction between chemicaldependency and HIV, qualitative data collection and analysis, the prevention of chronic disease risk factorsamong HIV-positive persons, and international HIV prevention and evaluation technology. Integration of theBSC's wide range of behavioral expertise in these areas can allow the UAB CFAR to maintain its reputationas a hub of excellence not only in behavioral, basic and clinical sciences as individual programs, but also inthe development of comprehensive interdisciplinary research that can model the complex interplay of thesevariables in a wide range of populations.
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