# Estimating the Impact of Structural Factorson HIV Transmission: A Multi-agent Spatial Simulation Modeling Study

> **NIH NIH F31** · BROWN UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $46,752

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
The disparity in HIV incidence rates between African Americans/Blacks and whites continues to
grow. Interventions aimed towards reducing HIV incidence by changing individual-level behaviors
have been implemented among African Americans/Blacks. Unfortunately, there has been little to
no success in closing the gap between the two racial groups. Many studies have determined
neighborhood-level factors (e.g., neighborhood disadvantage, poverty, and incarceration)
significantly influence HIV-related risk behaviors, engagement in testing and treatment, and
adherence to HIV care and mortality among African Americans/Blacks, especially those who
identify as heterosexual. In this study, we will develop a multi-agent spatial simulation model that
will estimate the effect of neighborhood-level factors such as neighborhood disadvantage and
gentrification on HIV incidence among heterosexual African American/Black adults to develop
interventions that can reduce transmission among this population. We will first implement spatial
dynamics into an agent-based model to create the multi-agent spatial simulation model. We will
then estimate the effect of neighborhood disadvantage on HIV incidence among heterosexual
African American/Black adults. Next, we will evaluate the effect of migration and gentrification on
HIV incidence within this population by integrating migration into the model. Using innovative
methods such as multi-agent spatial simulation modeling, we will simulate the complex
interactions between individual-level behaviors, networks, and neighborhoods for estimating the
structural influence of HIV on a population level and test structural-level interventions. We will be
the first to develop a spatially dynamic model for studying HIV among heterosexual African
American/Black adults in an urban setting through the development of the model. This research
will also be used as a framework for estimating structural influences on populations in different
jurisdictions within the United States to reduce HIV-related disparities and the structures that allow
it to prosper.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10547975
- **Project number:** 1F31AI167685-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** BROWN UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Shayla Nolen
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $46,752
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-07-01 → 2024-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10547975

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10547975, Estimating the Impact of Structural Factorson HIV Transmission: A Multi-agent Spatial Simulation Modeling Study (1F31AI167685-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10547975. Licensed CC0.

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