June 10, 2019
Since 2017, Caroline and Erin have been working with CAI Global to support the development of a community-led approach to reducing Sexually Transmitted Infections and promoting health equity.
The Community Approaches to Reducing Sexually Transmitted Diseases (CARS) Buffalo project is one of a handful of innovative, interdisciplinary projects funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to genuinely engage communities in identifying factors contributing to disparities in STI rates, and to develop and implement community-designed solutions.
The CARS Buffalo project assembled a Community Advisory Board of young adults who are black/African-American or LGBTQ+ young adults to plan and conduct a community needs assessment, analyze and prioritize the resulting data, and develop and implement a tailored intervention to address the community’s needs. VIA and CAI provided technical assistance and support throughout the process.
We are proud that this project has helped to bring the perspectives and recommendations of too-often marginalized groups to the forefront, and look forward to continuing to share and learn with the group.
