Culturally relevant social work services for latinas infected or affected with HIV/AIDS.

As we begin the third decade of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, concerns continue about social, psychological, and behavioral aspects of the living with the illness. What was once thought to be predominately a gay, Anglo disease has now become prominent in the heterosexual population crossing all racial and class lines. Presumed injection drug users have always been highly infected. However, studies show that HIV/AIDS is affecting different populations at shockingly disproportionate rates. The HIV/AIDS pandemic in the United States is disproportionately represented and is growing at a faster rate in ethnic minority communities as compared to majority populations (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2002). The purpose of this article is to explore the specific issues associated with HIV/AIDS in racial and ethnic minorities, with a specific focus on how the increase of new AIDS cases is affecting Latinas. Disparities such as lack of access to medical care and unique socio-cultural issues are discussed, followed by implications for social work practice, policy, research, and education

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Assessing the Social Service Needs of an Emerging Population of Recent Mexican Immigrants Living with, or at risk for, HIV/AIDS

Latinos have recently become the largest minority group in the United States. It is expected that Latino population growth will continue due to high fertility and high immigration rates. Latinos currently experience a health disparity in HIV rates compared to Caucasians. This disparity may be associated with health care access, which is compounded by the phenomenon of an emerging population with language and culture that differ from the health care system. This article then provides an example of the methodology developed to access and assess the needs of, individuals with HIV/AIDS who traditionally have not participated in needs assessments. Implications of the current research findings and recommendations for future research are discussed.Desde hace poco tiempo la población latina se ha convertido en el grupo minoritario más grande de los Estados Unidos. Se espera que el crecimiento de este sector poblacional continúe también en el futuro debido a una elevada tasa de fertilidad y de inmigración. Comparados con la población blanca, los latinos experimentan una disparidad en cuanto a las tasas de VIH que puede estar asociada con el acceso a servicios de salud el cual se agrava ya que se trata de una población emergente con lengua y cultura diferentes a los conocidos por el sistema de salud. En este artículo se ofrecen ejemplos de una metodología que fue desarrollada para conocer y evaluar las necesidades de individuos que padecen VIH/SIDA y que tradicionalmente no han participado en este tipo de evaluaciones. Sobre esta base se discuten las implicaciones de los resultados y se elaboran una serie de recomendaciones para investigaciones futuras

Prevention of Substance-Use with Student-Veterans: Beliefs System and Psychological Distress

In the second decade of the Global War on Terrorism, more than a million veterans are returning to higher education. Readjustment from military to academic life, however, poses unique challenges for veterans who may be at increased risk for mental and substance use disorders. Mental disorders, particularly post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and major depressive disorder (MDD), are prevalent among returning veterans and may confer risk for substance use problems. And yet, evidence on the links between psychological distress and problem drinking among this important population remains thin. Cognizant of this gap, the current study examines the associations between posttraumatic stress, depressive symptomatology, and problem drinking among college student veterans. Findings from the present study suggest that elevated levels of posttraumatic stress may be linked with increased risk for alcohol-related problems among college student veterans. Notably, no such relationship was identified between depressive symptomatology and alcohol-related problems and there does not appear to be a link between binge alcohol use and psychological distress among this population. Although preliminary, the results from the present study may have implications for practice and certainly point to the importance of conducting larger, longitudinal studies to examine the relationship between posttraumatic stress and problem drinking among this rapidly-growing and at-risk population.Social Wor