Scott D. Rhodes, PhD, MPH, CHES, is a public health scientist, whose research focuses on the
integration of
community development and health promotion and disease prevention interventions in both rural
and urban
communities. Specifically, his research explores sexual health; HIV and sexually transmitted
disease (STD)
prevention; and health disparities among vulnerable communities, including substance use and
obesity. Dr.
Rhodes has extensive experience working with Latino communities; urban African American
adolescents;
persons living with HIV and AIDS; men of color; self-identified gay and bisexual men; and men
who have sex
with men (MSM).
Dr. Rhodes has experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis
techniques; the
design, implementation, and evaluation of prevention interventions, community capacity
development, and
environmental and policy change; community-based participatory research (CBPR); the
application of
behavioral theory; photovoice as a methodology of participatory action research (PAR); lay health
advisor
approaches; the exploration of sociocultural determinants of health; and internet research,
including data
collection, intervention delivery, and evaluation.
Currently-funded projects for which Dr. Rhodes is Principal Investigator include:
(1) A Partnership Approach to Reducing HIV Disparities Among Latino Men.
The goal of this 5-year, NCMHD-funded community-based participatory research (CBPR) study is to
reduce the risk of HIV and STD infection among Latino men through the further refinement,
implementation, and evaluation of: HoMBReS: Hombres Manteniendo Bienestar y Relaciones
Saludables (Men Maintaining Wellness and Healthy Relationships) in partnership with Chatham Social
Heath Council, Siler City, NC, and AIDS Care Service Inc., Winston-Salem, NC.
(2) Trust and Mistrust of Evidence-based Medicine among Latinos with HIV.
The goals of this study (which is funded by amfAR: The Foundation for AIDS Research) are to better
understand and characterize the factors that influence trust of evidence-based medicine and identify
intervention strategies to increase trust among Latinos with HIV.
(3) CBPR and the Internet: Increasing HIV Testing Through Chat Room-Based Promotion.
The goal of this NIMH-funded community-based participatory research (CBPR) study is to increase HIV
testing among gay and bisexual men and men who have sex with men (MSM) through the development,
implementation, and evaluation of a culturally relevant Internet chat room-based intervention in
partnership with Triad Health Project, Greensboro, NC.
(4) HIV among Rural Latino Gay Men and MSM in the Southeast.
The goal of this NICHD-funded community-based participatory research (CBPR) study is to explore
the social and sexual networking patterns and
behavioral,
psychological, and socio-cultural correlates of HIV risk among predominantly Spanish-speaking
rural Latino
gay and bisexual men and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM).
(5) Trabajando Juntos: Working Together for Health Disparities Reduction.
The goal of this NIMH-funded, community-based participatory research (CBPR) study is to
reduce the risk
of HIV infection among immigrant Latino men through the
refinement,
implementation, and evaluation of an intervention entitled: HoMBReS:
Hombres
Manteniendo Bienestar y Relaciones Saludables (Men Maintaining Wellness and Healthy
Relationships) in partnership with Chatham Social Health Council, Siler City, NC. This study is
commonly referred to as HoMBReS-2 because it builds off the
original CDC-funded CBPR study that developed and first implemented the HoMBReS pilot study.
HoMBReS-2 uses a small group format and does not use a lay health advisor strategy. Dr. Rhodes
served as PI of the original HoMBReS study.
For information about this project see the CDC-sponsored 2007 webcast
(6) Rapid Responses to Problem Drinking on College Campuses.
The goals of this NIAAA-funded study are to implement and evaluate comprehensive
interventions to effect
environmental changes within the community and on 3 campuses to reduce the incidence of
alcohol-related
consequences among college students.
(7) Use of Prescription Drugs Obtained from Non-medical Sources for STD Treatment among
Rural Latinos in the Southeast.
The goals of this CDC-funded study are to (a) better understand and characterize use of
prescription drugs obtained from non-medical sources for STD treatment; (b) identify potentially
effective intervention approaches to reduce risky use of these drugs among predominantly
Spanish-speaking adult male and female Latinos in the rural Southeastern United States (US);
and (c) examine the composition of these drugs obtained from non-medical sources.
(8) Cervical Cancer Prevention for Latinas (C-CAPRELA).
The goal of this NCI-funded study is to improve routine Pap smear screening among uninsured Latinas
using a community-based empowerment program led by lay health advisors.
Dr. Rhodes also serves as co-investigator on other studies at WFUHS, the University of North
Carolina at Greensboro (CDC-funded CBPR study to develop, implement, and evaluate an HIV
prevention intervention for college-age African American men), and George Washington
University. He also serves as a subcontractor (evaluator) for a CBPR study (funded by the Pfizer
Foundation) currently being implemented by AIDS Care Service in Winston-Salem, NC.
In 2005, Dr. Rhodes was awarded: Outstanding Master Project Advisor Award by the WFUHS
Physician Assistant Program in recognition for outstanding performance as a Master Project
Advisor and an authentic commitment to community-based research.
In 2006, Dr. Rhodes was awarded: 2006 WFUHS New Investigator in Clinical Sciences Award for
excellence in research, significant contributions to the biomedical sciences, and exceptional
potential for an outstanding academic career.
In 2007, Dr. Rhodes was awarded: Professional and Community Service Award, Division of Public
Health Sciences, WFUHS, for longstanding success in developing exceptional programs to
address the public health needs of the greater community and expanding the public health
outreach efforts of the Division and Institution.
