IHCCM - Faculty

Melanie L.A. Rusch is an infectious disease epidemiologist in the Division of International Health and Cross Cultural Medicine. She received her MSc from Johns Hopkins, Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, and her PhD from the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. Her research has included longitudinal analysis of sexual behaviors among injection drug users, influence of types and patterns of drug use on sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and barriers to sexual health care, including STI-related stigma among women. During her doctoral training, Melanie also spent two years as a trainee in the Partnerships for Community-based Health Research program, and was a part-time research assistant at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS for four years.

Her current interests include examining broader influences on substance use and STIs, including social network factors and spatial aspects of disease transmission. In addition, Dr. Rusch is interested in improving accesbility of STI treatment and identifying structural barriers to sexual health care.

Selected Publications:

Shannon K, Rusch M, Morgan R, Oleson M, Kerr T, Tyndall MW. HIV and HCV Prevalence and Gender-Specific Risk Profiles of Crack Cocaine Smokers and Dual Users of Injection Drugs. Substance Use & Misuse 2007; V43 In Press.

Fielden SJ, Rusch ML, Masinda MT, Sands J, Frankish J, Evoy B. Key Considerations for Logic Model Development in Research Partnerships: A Canadian Case Study. Evaluation and Program Planning. Accepted Nov 2006.

Rusch M, H Farzadegan, PM Tarwater, M Safaeian, SA Strathdee. Sexual Risk Behavior among Injection Drug Users before availability of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy. AIDS & Behavior 2005; 9(3):289-99.

Rusch M, Lampinen T, Schilder A, Chan K, Miller ML, Hogg RS. Unprotected anal intercourse associated with recreational drug use among young men who have sex with men depends on partner type and intercourse role. STD 2004; 31(8): 492-498.

Rusch M, Nixon S, Schilder A, Braitstein P, Chan K, Hogg R. Use of Antiretroviral Therapy among HIV positive individuals living in British Columbia. AIDS Care 2004; 16(7):914-922.

Rusch M, Nixon S, Schilder A, Braitstein P, Chan K, Hogg R. Prevalence of Activity Limitations among Persons Living with HIV in British Columbia. Can J Public Health 2004; 95(6): 437-440.

Sherman S, Rusch M, Goleb E. Correlates of safe syringe acquisition and disposal practices among young IDUs: Broadening our notion of risk. J Drug Issues 2004; 34(4):895-912.