One of them is reaching out to the Black church, which he says “is a critical part of the solution,� but Hildreth knows that he could be in for some resistance. Although African-Americans make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population, they account for 57 percent of new HIV infections. Still, the epidemic is one that many Black churches have chosen to ignore.

A self-described Christian, Hildreth says he is determined to find a way to help clergy and religious leaders “overcome cultural barriers and thinking that says sex is taboo.� Taking to the pulpits of Nashville churches is among his plans.

Hildreth knows that helping halt the spread of HIV/AIDS in Nashville won’t be easy, but he thinks that the health disparities center can make a difference if researchers ask the right questions. One of those questions is why do so many African-Americans put themselves at risk for contracting the deadly virus?

“Once the right questions are asked and the answers are there, there needs to be intervention and ones that are meaningful and culturally sensitive,� says Hildreth who believes that “issues of personal responsibility and behavior are paramount to better understanding and addressing the spread of the disease among our people.�

He is developing an integrated model that blends biology, community outreach and behavior science to explore and address the cultural, environmental and social variables that contribute to the high infections rates in Blacks.

“You can’t separate biology from behavior, which accounts disproportionately for why so many African-Americans are infected with HIV/AIDS,� says Hildreth. He is looking to the behavioral scientists on his team to help the Center build credibility in the community and find effective strategies for reaching those at risk. “Failing to not do something to change behaviors,� he says, “is not an option.�