Connect with us

Uncategorized

Researchers in the UO’s Prevention Science Institute have received a two-year, $1.2 million grant

Published

on

Eugene, OR – They have received the 2 year, $1.2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to fund expanded COVID-19 testing at syringe exchange sites. This two-year grant is part of a nationwide effort to expand testing to underserved communities.

Philip H. Knight Chair, professor in the Department of Counseling Psychology and the principal investigator on the project, said:

“This project expands the critical work being conducted through the MAP initiative. It will help ensure the health and safety of our communities and strengthens a vital partnership with HIV Alliance in Oregon that will enable that agency to provide COVID-19 testing at syringe exchange sites.”

Other investigators on the project include Anne Mauricio, Camille Cioffi, Hannah Tavalire, Leslie Leve and Derek Kosty, all research scientists at the Prevention Science Institute or faculty members in the College of Education. Doug Turnbull and Ariana White from the Genomics and Cell Characterization Core Facility are also collaborators.

The project is the second grant the UO has received through the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Underserved Populations program, also called RADx-UP, to expand COVID-19 testing strategies in populations disproportionately affected by the pandemic. It follows a September grant that provided nearly $5 million in funding to expand testing in Oregon Latinx communities.

More than 60 federal awards were made as part of RADx-UP, with those two being the only projects provided with funding to serve residents in the state of Oregon.

The new project is tied to an existing Prevention Science Institute grant targeting substance use among at-risk students and their families. Titled “Creating a Sustainable Infrastructure for SARS-COV-2 Testing at Syringe Exchange Programs,” the program builds on an existing partnership between HIV Alliance in Oregon and UO researchers.

The program will provide a “motivational enhancement intervention” known as the COVID-19 Check-Up and evaluate whether the intervention increases testing rates among HIV Alliance clients attending syringe exchange programs. The brief, one-session intervention is modeled after the successful Family Check-Up Online model. The evaluation will include a component to identify barriers and facilitators that can be used to scale up the testing program.

It aims to better understand COVID-19 testing patterns among underserved and vulnerable populations; strengthen the data on disparities in infection rates, disease progression and outcomes; and develop strategies to reduce the disparities in COVID-19 testing.

You may also like…

Crime & Safety23 hours ago

Woman admitted to finding vehicIe additive and pest controI product on her property before mixing some of it with a gIass and giving it to her famiIy member, who became very iII on both occasions; charged

Missouri – A Missouri woman was arrested last week following allegations of attempting to polson her family member. She faces two counts...

Oregon2 days ago

Oregon State Treasury to return $11 million in unclaimed funds through ‘Checks Without Claims’ initiative

Oregon – Oregon State Treasurer Elizabeth Steiner announced that approximately $11 million in unclaimed property will be returned to individuals...

Eugene2 days ago

37-year-old man arrested on multiple charges after hit-and-run incidents and police pursuit

Eugene, OR – A 37-year-old man was taken into custody after multiple hit-and-run incidents and a police pursuit through Eugene...

Eugene2 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire designated as regional EMS training center

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire has been officially recognized as a regional training center for emergency medical services (EMS),...

Eugene2 days ago

Police seek suspect after Eugene church vandalized, thousands in damages reported

Eugene, OR – The Eugene Police Department is investigating a burglary and vandalism incident at Wesley United Methodist Church on...

Eugene4 days ago

Motorcyclist dies in crash during memorial ride on River Road in Eugene

Eugene, OR – A motorcyclist participating in a memorial ride was killed in a crash with a vehicle on the morning...

Eugene4 days ago

Eugene Springfield Fire celebrates retirement of firefighter after 22 years of service

Eugene, OR – Eugene Springfield Fire honored the retirement of Firefighter Gene Revier after an impressive 22 years of dedicated...

Eugene4 days ago

Eugene mayor Knudson welcomes youth delegation from Kakegawa, Japan, marking the return of cultural exchange program

Eugene, OR – Mayor Kaarin Knudson greeted a youth delegation from Eugene’s Sister City of Kakegawa, Japan. The delegation’s four-day...

Eugene4 days ago

65-year-old woman arrested on charges of murder in the second degree after 63-year-old man dies from stab wounds

Eugene, OR – On March 29, at 6:59 p.m., Eugene Police responded to a stabbing incident at a residence in the...

Crime & Safety6 days ago

Child was obligated to put on an eIectric coIIar, which was used repeatedly, and keep it on at all times while at home so her parent could use it as discipIine whenever the child’s behavior displeased her; charges

New Jersey – ​In New Jersey, a disturbing case of child abuse has come to light, resulting in the arrest...

Oregon7 days ago

Oregon Senate Committee discusses Senate Bill 829 to provide financial relief for affordable housing and shelter providers facing insurance rate hikes

Oregon – Members of the Senate Committee on Housing and Development convened to hear testimony for Senate Bill 829, introduced...

Trending