Two of the 13 University of Washington Population Health Tier 1 pilot grants were awarded to teams that include Department of Biostatistics researchers.
Genetic Analysis Center research scientists Sarah Nelson and Stephanie Gogarten are part of a team exploring stakeholder perspectives on the use of controversial datasets like the Human Genome Diversity Project (HGDP) in population health research.
Respectful and transparent scientific decision-making is currently hindered by lack of information on the ethical and social implications of continued use of HGDP by health researchers. Study results will be used to determine if sustained stakeholder engagement should be pursued (using ancillary funding support), as well as to address relevant policy questions surrounding the continuing use of this, and related, population health legacy datasets.
Professor of Biostatistics Barbra Richardson is a member of a team conducting a community co-led epidemiologic study of methamphetamine use patterns and associated factors among cisgender men and transgender people who have sex with men (MTSM).
Recent works have found that meth use has become increasingly widespread among US MTSM since 2021. Current interventions target only advanced forms of meth use. This novel study aims to provide a description of classes of MTSM who use meth and an epidemiologic profile of the risk factors associated with varying degrees of meth use, and apply the knowledge to develop interventions that target early MTSM meth use, either before it is ever used or shortly after the first meth use experience.
