Michele Shedlin

Faculty

Michele Shedlin headshot

Michele G Shedlin

Professor Emerita

1 212 998 5714

433 FIRST AVENUE
NEW YORK, NY 10010
United States

Michele G Shedlin's additional information

Michele G. Shedlin, PhD, is a professor in the NYU Meyers College of Nursing, an adjunct professor in the College of Dentistry, and a visiting professor at the University of Szeged, Hungary. She is a medical anthropologist with extensive experience in qualitative reproductive health, substance abuse, and HIV/AIDS research in Africa, Latin America, and the United States. She has designed and implemented behavioral studies at the community, university, and national levels, to inform and evaluate prevention and care. She has taught for ten years in the doctoral program as well as taught Narrative Medicine in FAS. Shedlin mentors new researchers at the Center for Drug Use and HIV Research and the VA and NYU School of Medicine.

Shedlin was a founding member of the Meyers Faculty Council and has served as Deputy Director of the WHO Collaborating Center in Gerontologic Nursing, the Provost's Academy Advisory Committee, and the Cross University Faculty Forum. Shedlin has chaired the Council on Ethics and Professional Responsibility (at NYU Meyers and School of Dentistry) and served on the Advisory Committee of the NYU Center for Bioethics.

Prior to joining the faculty at NYU, Shedlin headed her own research consulting firm. She was also a faculty member at Columbia University School of Public Health and the University of Texas Leavell Chair in Nursing and Public Health and co-director of the NIH Hispanic Health Disparities Research Center. In 2013, she was a Senior Fulbright Scholar at the University of Szeged, in Hungary.

Shedlin received her PhD, MPhil, MA, and BS from Columbia University.

PhD - Columbia University (1982)
MPhil - Columbia University (1982)
MA - Columbia University (1975)
BS - Columbia University School of General Studies (1968)
Summer Sessions - Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (1961 & 1962)

Global
Immigrants
LGBTQ
Infectious disease
Women's health

American Anthropological Association
American Public Health Association, Latino Caucus
Board of Directors, IMIFAP, Mexico
Editorial Board, Advances in Population AIDS and Anthropology Research Group
Editorial Board, EHQUIDAD: International Journal of Social Sciences and Social Work (Spain)
Fellow, New York Academy of Medicine
Hungarian American Medical Association of America
International Editorial Board, Journal of Sexuality Research & Social Policy
Population Association of America
Society for Medical Anthropology

Faculty Honors Awards

Senior Fulbright Scholar, University of Szeged (2013)
Honorary University Professorship, University of Szeged (2013)

Publications

Dominican, Mexican, and Puerto Rican prostitutes: Drug use and sexual behaviors

Deren, S., Shedlin, M., Davis, W. R., Clatts, M. C., Balcorta, S., Beardsley, M. M., Sanchez, J., & Jarlais, D. D. (1997). Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 19(2), 202-213. 10.1177/07399863970192007
Abstract
Abstract
Although Hispanics are overrepresented in AIDS cases in the United States, little information is available to help understand differences in drug and sex risk behaviors in Hispanic subgroups, needed to develop appropriate prevention programs. This study reports on HIV-related risk behaviors in three groups of Hispanic prostitutes recruited in the United States: Dominican (77), recruited in Washington Heights, NY; Mexican (151), recruited in El Paso, TX; and Puerto Rican (48), recruited in East Harlem, NY. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with a subsample of subjects to examine cultural meaning of risk behaviors; structured interviews were conducted with subjects to describe demographic characteristics and summarize levels of risk behaviors. Results indicated that the labels Hispanic and prostitute obfuscated important differences related to geographic and cultural factors. To be effective for diverse Hispanic groups, HIV prevention efforts and interventions must be based on knowledge of these differences.

Genero y cultura como factores de riesgo de VIH/SIDA en mujeres hispanicas de los Estados Unidos de America

Shedlin, M., Deren, S., & Shulman, L. (1997). In B. Rico, S. Vandale, B. Allen, & A. Liguori (Eds.), Situacion de la mujer en el VIH/SIDA en America Latina (1–). Instituto Nacional de Salud Pública.

Sexo inseguro: Investigacion cualitativa sobre comportamiento sexual de alto riesgo respecto al SIDA en Nicaragua

Arauz, R., Ortells, P., Morales, A., Guevara, M., & Shedlin, M. (1997). (1–). Fundación Nimehuatzin.

HIV risk behaviors among Dominican brothel and street prostitutes in New York City

Deren, S., Sanchez, J., Shedlin, M., Davis, W. R., Beardsley, M., Jarlais, D. D., & Miller, K. (1996). AIDS Education and Prevention, 8(5), 444-456.
Abstract
Abstract
Latina women are overrepresented among AIDS cases in the United States. To assist in developing appropriate prevention and intervention programs, information regarding HIV risk behaviors is needed on the many diverse Latina subgroups. This study examined sociodemographic characteristics and HIV risk behaviors of Dominican female prostitutes, comparing those who worked primarily in brothels with those who were street workers. A total of 77 Dominican prostitutes (54 brothel; 23 street) were recruited in New York City to participate in a structured interview and were offered HIV testing. Ethnographic interviews were conducted with a subscale. Results indicated that there were many significant differences in demographics and risk behaviors between the two groups, and those working in brothels engaged in lower levels of risk behaviors. In addition, those working in brothels had closer ties to the Dominican and Spanish cultures. Implications for AIDS prevention efforts are discussed.

HIV-related concerns and behaviors among Hispanic women

Deren, S., Shedlin, M., & Beardsley, M. (1996). AIDS Education and Prevention, 8(4), 335-342.
Abstract
Abstract
Hispanic women whose sexual partners have other sexual partners may be at risk for HIV. A structured interview was administered to 106 Dominican and Puerto Rican women who reported that they knew or suspected that their partner had other partners. A subsample participated in qualitative interviews. The study assessed concern about HIV and predictors of condom use. The majority of women reported that they worried about getting HIV and almost half had been HIV-tested. Most of the women discussed HIV/AIDS concerns with their partners, and one-third reported some condom use. Predictors of condom use were: born in the Dominican Republic/Puerto Rico, having talked with their partner about being tested, and belief that he used condoms with others. Although the women were concerned about HIV, condom use was infrequent. Results suggested methods to address this discrepancy: introducing condoms early in the relationship, developing women-controlled methods, and directly influencing men's behavior.

Migrant males and female sex workers

Ferreira Pinto, J., Ramos, R., & Shedlin, M. (1996). In S. Mishra, R. Conner, & J. Magana (Eds.), AIDS crossing borders: HIV/AIDS infection in the US-Mexico border (1–). Westview Press.

Using focus groups in drug abuse and HIV/AIDS research.

Shedlin, M. G., & Schreiber, J. M. (1995). NIDA Research Monograph, 157, 136-155.

A user's guide to oral contraception

Goldzieher, J., & Shedlin, M. (1994). (1–). Essential Medical Information Systems.

Dominicans and Puerto Ricans: Differences in drug use patterns and HIV risk behaviors

Deren, S., Shedlin, M., Sanchez, J., Clatts, M., Davis, R., & Miller, K. (1993). NIDA Research Monograph Series, 132, 291.

Migracion y SIDA

Bronfman, M., Minnello, M., & Shedlin, M. (1993). In Appropriate Health Resources and Technology Action Group: Un llamdo para accion. Dossier migracion. (1–, pp. 8-13).