On the Heights: March 2025
Departmental news, research highlights, community achievements, and more to help you stay connected with the Michigan Public Health community.
LGBT Health
HIV risk decreases in transgender, nonbinary, and gender diverse individuals receiving gender-affirming hormone therapy, U-M study says
Overall, the study, published in The Lancet HIV journal, found that hormone therapy for patients receiving medical care to align their physical characteristics with their gender identity improved all HIV-related health outcomes for transgender, nonbinary and gender diverse people.
Kristi Gamarel wins NIH Award for Sexual & Gender Minority Research
Kristi Gamarel, associate chair and associate professor of Health Behavior & Health Equity, has been awarded the 2024 National Institutes of Health Sexual & Gender Minority Mid-Career Investigator Award. Her research addresses health inequities among LGBTQ+ communities in the context of HIV, mental health, substance use, and healthcare access.
HPV self-sampling key for cancer screening in transgender patients
New research from Andrew Brouwer
Two studies published in the journal LGBT Health shed light on the acceptability and necessity of human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling as a method for cancer screening among transgender and gender diverse individuals assigned female at birth.
Researchers evaluating program aimed at HIV prevention and care for trans youth of color
Q&A with Kristi Gamarel and Sari Reisner
Kristi Gamarel and Sari Reisner are leading an evaluation of a program called LEAP (Legal, Economic, and Affirming Peer Support) as part of the NIH-funded Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV Interventions. LEAP addresses social factors that have been linked to inequities in HIV prevention and care outcomes for trans youth of color.
Gary Harper reappointed to the Michigan State Board of Psychology
This will be Harper’s second term
Gary Harper, professor of Health Behavior and Health Education, has been reappointed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer to serve a second term in the Michigan State Board of Psychology.