IRL | Team Orlando

​Removing obstacles to HIV prevention for
​black women in Orange County, Florida

The honeybees at Let's Beehive!® are very excited to be a part of a new research project in collaboration with Rollins College and University of Central Florida. This project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Leaders (IRL) Fellowship Program. 
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Black women of all demographics experience differential and worse health outcomes when compared to any other race.  According to the 2021-2025 HIV National Strategic Plan, Black women continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV diagnosis.  This is important in our community because Orange County, FL is ranked 5th in the nation for the highest rates of new HIV diagnosis and we are classified as a high priority jurisdiction in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Plan for America.  

Our research project aims to center the nuanced experiences of Black women and illuminate their sexual health and HIV prevention needs with an emphasis on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). With the help of the community, we hope to identify the barriers to HIV prevention faced by Black women in Orange County, FL to help empower a culture of health and reduce gendered racism in healthcare. 

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MEET THE TEAM

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bLACK WOMEN

ARe you interested in participating in our study?

You are invited to participate in this voluntary study if you:

• Are a cisgender woman (at least 18 years of age)
• Identify as Black, African American, Caribbean, or descended from people of African descent
• Reside in Orange County, FL

What you will be asked to do:

• Complete a brief questionnaire and an individual interview that will take a maximum of 2 hours
• Be audio recorded during the interview
• Check the transcript of your interview for accuracy

What you can expect:

• To be asked respectful, but in-depth questions about sex, sexual health, incarceration, HIV, and health care experiences.
• To receive compensation in the form of a gift card for participating in the questionnaire and the interview

Apply Today

Consent Form

Age 18+ years and older.

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healthcare providers
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Are you interested in participating in this study?

We would like to hear from local healthcare providers and employees of non-governmental organizations participating in the Ending the HIV Epidemic plan for Orange County regarding HIV prevention and sexual health for Black women to understand what needs are being met and what needs remain unmet.

Apply Today

Consent Form

Age 18+ years and older.

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STAKEHOLDERS

Are you interested in pARTICIPATING in this study?

​We are in search of local stakeholders which includes anyone in the local community who is concerned about Black women’s sexual health to participate in a series of discussions where we will cover a range of topics, including life in Central Florida, HIV stigma, sexual health, prevention of STIs including HIV, and Black women’s health.

Apply Today

Consent Form

Age 18+ years and older.

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Thank You To Our Partners and Sponsors!

Let’s Beehive! Inc., Rollins College, and the University of Central Florida have collaborated for this research study. All activities have been approved by the Institutional Review Board of the University of Central Florida This project is funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.