# Biopsychosocial Mechanisms Linking Gender Minority Stress to HIV Comorbidities

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $653,969

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
Despite a high prevalence of HIV among gender minority women, very little is known about HIV
comorbid conditions in this population. Understanding the mechanisms of underlying HIV-related
comorbidities in this health disparity population is an important step toward advancing health equity.
The address this gap in knowledge, the study seeks to elucidate pathways linking stigma and
physiologic stress to HIV comorbidities among Black and Latina gender minority women. The specific
aims of the project include to: (1) quantify the longitudinal relationship of stigma to chronic stress
biomarkers; (2) identify pathways linking chronic stress biomarkers to HIV comorbidities; and (3)
examine the role of chronic stress in pathways linking stigma, sex hormones, and HIV comorbidities.
These aims will be met using existing NIH-funded cohort platforms to enroll and follow 200 participants
in a 24-month, mixed-methods, prospective study to measure stigma, biomarkers of chronic stress, sex
hormones, mental health, and CVD risk. Data will be collected at baseline, 6-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months.
This longitudinal study blends in-depth-interviews and quantitative psychosocial research with clinical
and biological measures to advance understanding of the complex relationships between social
experiences and physical health. This innovative research will identify mechanisms underlying
associations between stigma and HIV comorbidities. It has important implications for interventions with
health disparity populations living with HIV and will provide novel information that can be used to guide
clinical practice and reduce health disparities.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9902192
- **Project number:** 5R01MD013498-04
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** TONIA C POTEAT
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $653,969
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2018-09-01 → 2023-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9902192

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9902192, Biopsychosocial Mechanisms Linking Gender Minority Stress to HIV Comorbidities (5R01MD013498-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9902192. Licensed CC0.

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