About Drew CARES: Advancing HIV Research, Education, and Health Equity in Los Angeles
Drew CARES (Center for AIDS Research, Education, and Services) is a collaborative partnership between Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) and the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. We are a multidisciplinary team of HIV researchers, public health educators, and clinical providers committed to reducing HIV transmission and improving health outcomes in underserved communities. As thought leaders rooted in South Los Angeles, we drive innovative solutions, represent CDU’s groundbreaking work in HIV prevention, and champion health equity for vulnerable populations.
The researchers at Drew CARES fight the HIV epidemic by examining both the behavioral and clinical aspects of HIV diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Our research not only strengthens the work of scientific collaborators and community partners, but also improves the quality of services we provide. Students, residents, and fellows gain valuable opportunities to engage in every stage of the research process, from data collection to analysis, fostering the next generation of HIV researchers and advocates.
Our work has significantly advanced global understanding of HIV/AIDS in underserved communities. Supported by organizations such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the California HIV/AIDS Research Program (CHRP), the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), and the Los Angeles Department of HIV/STD Programs (DHSP), Drew CARES research has been published in leading journals including the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), Lancet, Archives of General Psychiatry, American Journal of Public Health, and AIDS.
Drew CARES provides a collaborative environment where researchers work closely with communities of color to address persistent health disparities. Our experts span multiple disciplines, including biological and medical sciences, behavioral and social sciences, and public health. We have forged strong partnerships with local, state, and national organizations, including the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California San Francisco (UCSF), University of Southern California (USC), St. John’s Well Child and Family Services, Bienestar Human Services, L.A. Centers for Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Center for Health Justice, the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department, and JWCH Institute, Inc. These partnerships allow us to develop and implement groundbreaking programs and research initiatives that make a lasting impact.
Domestic HIV Research Focused on Impacted Communities
Drew CARES conducts HIV research in the United States focused on populations disproportionately affected by the epidemic. These include Black and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM), Black and Latina women, transgender women of all backgrounds, and people reentering the community after incarceration.
Our studies evaluate culturally relevant HIV prevention and treatment interventions that address health disparities and structural barriers to care. We employ community-based approaches and behavioral science to generate data that informs public health policy and enhances HIV services.
Global HIV Research and Capacity Building
Drew CARES conducts international HIV research focused on prevention, testing, education, and linkage to care in underserved regions. CDU-led projects are active in sub-Saharan Africa, including Angola, Rwanda, Zambia, and South Africa, with prior work in Belize and Jamaica.
Funded by agencies such as the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the U.S. Department of Defense, and HRSA/PEPFAR, these efforts support global HIV response goals. CDU researchers lead capacity-building and intervention programs that help low-resource areas reach UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets: 90% of people with HIV diagnosed, 90% of those linked to care, and 90% achieving viral suppression.