The goals of this program area is to optimize the health of individuals with addiction. Focus areas include homelessness, observational and intervention studies, and tobacco cessation.

Current Projects

The group has, since 1993, built a program of research to end homelessness in general and among individuals with addiction, including crack cocaine addiction. Active research efforts are targeted toward transporting effective drug addiction treatment, integrating treatment services for persons living with AIDS and substance related disorders, and improving provider performance in drug addiction treatment settings in Ukraine for persons at risk of HIV due to intravenous opiate abuse. The group also has an active VA research program focusing on optimizing the primary care of veterans who have been homeless.

Research projects and expertise include: assessment of behavioral and psychosocial risk factors (e.g., smoking, sexual behavior, dietary habits), interventions designed to reduce risk factors, promote health-enhancing behaviors, and improve processes of care, examination of factors associated with adherence to medical and behavioral treatment regimens, development of treatment strategies to promote mental and physical health and development of interventions to improve quality of life.

Faculty

Faculty in this research pillar area include physician scientists and behavioral scientists. Faculty with a primary research focus in this area are:

• Stefan Kertesz, MD MSc
• Joseph E. Schumacher, PhD

Faculty with a secondary research focus in this are are:

• Isabel C. Scarinci, PhD MPH