International Epidemiology
We have conducted extensive epidemiologic research throughout the world, with emphasis on work in developing countries. Special considerations and precautions need to be addressed when conducting studies outside of the United States. Cultural differences impact the types of data that can be collected and how social roles influence expectations, norms, and behaviors. In addition, labor regulations and other legal requirements, import tariffs, appropriate labor rates, and use of foreign currency add a high level of complexity when setting up foreign subcontracts. Our experienced, committed staff anticipate potential obstacles, mitigate problems that arise, and ensure high-quality and efficient study performance.
Focus Areas
- Transmission of HIV to partners and infants
- Chronic disease outcomes of viral infections (e.g., AIDS, cancer, liver disease)
- Community-level intervention to modify HIV/AIDS risk behaviors
- Women’s and children’s health and pregnancy outcomes
- Malaria
- HIV surveillance in at-risk populations, e.g., sub-Saharan Africa, foreign militaries
Capabilities
- Coordination of multisite/multinational studies
- Capacity building and technology transfer in developing countries
- Data collection (clinical, laboratory, and personal)
- Biospecimen collection, processing, and storage
- Biospecimen export from countries with restricted policies
- IT and scientific technology resource evaluation and solutions
- Hiring and training of field staff
- Multisite HIV surveillance and establishment of electronic databases to evaluate clinical care
- Development and evaluation of laboratory and biorepository facilities and staff
- Design and implementation of quality control procedures
- Ethics committee approvals
- Development of materials and procedures that are culturally appropriate and effective
- Foreign language translations
Projects
- Technical Assistance Consortium for the CDC Center for Global Health (2010–2015)
- Health Surveillance Research in Foreign Military Populations (2005–2013)
- Preparing and Performing Readiness Assessment(s) for Implementation of New Biomedical HIV Prevention Technologies in the Republic of South Africa (2011–2012)
- Epidemiology of Burkitt's Lymphoma in East African Children or Minors (EMBLEM) (2008–2012)
- Global Network for Women’s and Children’s Health Research (2001–2012)
- International Epidemiologic Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) (2006–2011)
