UAB has multiple current studies examining how pain affects underserved minority populations often marginalized by social conditions. Research shows that ethnic/racial minorities, LGBTQ+, refugees, immigrants, those living with mental health challenges, and people marginalized by social conditions (e.g., low socioeconomic status) often experience the most frequent, severe, and disabling chronic pain. Ongoing efforts are trying to figure out why this is.
Ongoing Studies
Examining Racial and Socioeconomic Disparities (ERASED) in Chronic Low Back Pain
(PI: Dr. Robert Sorge; R01MD010441)
The goal of this project is to determine whether laboratory measures of endogenous pain modulation in conjunction with biobehavioral and psychosocial factors help explain racial and socioeconomic group differences in clinical pain and disability between Blacks and Whites with chronic low back pain.
HIV and Insomnia effects of Pain, Physical Function, and Inflammation (HIPPI) in HIV
(PI: Dr. Robert Sorge; R01HL147603)
If the hypotheses of this study are confirmed, we will identify:
- insomnia as a major driver of pain in the laboratory and in everyday life among PLWH, and
- inflammation as an important insomnia-related mediator of pain in PLWH.
This research could help confirm insomnia as a therapeutic target for the suppression of pain and inflammation in PLWH. Possible treatments may include cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia and anti-inflammatories.
SEX, HORMONES, AND IDENTITY AFFECT NOCICEPTIVE EXPRESSION (SHINE)
(PI: Dr. Robert Sorge; R01NR019417)
Transgender (trans) men and women (TM and TW) are a minority group whose gender identity is different than their genetic sex (as opposed to cisgender men and women; CM and CW). As a result, TM and TW may experience stigma, prejudice and depression, putting them at greater risk for negative health outcomes and impacted quality of life. Thus, this understudied community provides a unique opportunity to investigate the role of gender identity (trans vs. cis), sex assigned at birth (male vs. female) and hormonal status (elevated testosterone vs. elevated estrogen) on pain and well-being, while providing a better understanding of the needs of the community. This is the first exploration of the impact of gender identity, sex assigned at birth, and hormonal status on quality of life, pain sensitivity, and immune cell activity in trans individuals.