Current Scholar

Alberto Cifuentes, Jr.

PhD Student, Social Work

Academic Institution: University of Connecticut Location: Hartford, Connecticut Cohort Start Year: 2018

Research Topics: Addiction, Alcoholism, Behavioral and Mental Health, Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Education, Education Policy, Health Policy, Family and Social Support, Health Care Access, Health Care Education and Training, Health Care Equity and Trust, Health Care Quality, Health Disparities, Health Outcomes, Health Reform, Healthy Schools, Infectious Diseases, Leadership Development, Life and Behavioral Skills Training, Public and Community Health, Public Policy, Social Determinants of Health, Stigma, Substance Abuse Treatments, Substance Use, Uninsured Individuals, Violence and Trauma

Populations Served: African-American/Black, At-Risk/Vulnerable Populations, Children and Families, Hispanic/Latino, Homeless, Immigrants and Refugees, Incarcerated Populations, LGBTQ Communities, Low-Income Communities, Men's Health, Parents and Families, People with Addictions, Poor/Economically Disadvantaged, Puerto Rico, Caribbean Region, Sex Workers, Tobacco Users, Urban Communities, Women's Health, Youth

FOCUS
Urban sex workers, regardless of race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status, experience high levels of prejudice and discrimination that negatively impact their health outcomes. Moreover, these individuals often lack access to health care, employment, housing, and educational opportunities because of their culturally stigmatized status in society. Alberto’s research seeks to not only reduce prejudicial views of sex workers that alienate them from mainstream society, but also expand their level of access to lifesaving resources and support systems.

MORE ABOUT ALBERTO
As an openly gay Latino social worker that has worked extensively with the LGBTQ community, Alberto has spent over a decade organizing and advocating for marginalized communities. He believes HPRS will serve as a vehicle for transforming his research into policy change that will protect rather than undermine the rights and dignity of sex workers.