Social norms, a key component of social influence and control, are maintained on the meso and macro levels. Social norms at the macro level, such as those regarding drug use, same sex behaviors, gender roles, and condom use, have a major impact on risk behaviors and transmission of HIV. Also on the macro level, media is a form of social influence that is often mediated by meso and micro level social networks. Informal social influence and control additionally occurs through opinion leaders and their social networks and through community monitoring of behaviors. Formal social control involves institutionally sanctioned social influence. On the macro level, this includes laws and policies and involves the organizations whose mandate it is to address specific CPI-455 biological activity public issues. The interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of laws and polices occurs at all structural levels. In many countries, the criminal justice system hasAIDS Behav. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 December 1.Latkin et al.ARA290 biological activity Pagemuch more power than the public health system. Structuring policies so that the public health sector is primarily responsible for drug use issues is likely to have different consequences than if the criminal justice sector is the primary agency. Ideally, the criminal justice and health ministries collaborate. In Taiwan, the formal and informal linkages between the criminal justice and health sectors have lead to comprehensive needle exchange and methadone maintenance programs throughout the country.57 Social interconnectedness refers to the structure of social relationships. On the micro and meso levels, social networks are a key component of social interconnectedness. Social networks may be located within a micro-setting such as a bar, a meso-setting such as a neighborhood, or a macro-setting such as a social media and information network. Networks can be face-to-face or electronic. Social networks have structural properties, such as density of ties, centrality of key members, and size. They also have functional attributes, such as material or emotional support, and role relationships, including family members, coworkers, and drug and sex partners. There are also higher level networks, such as those between formal organizations and political groups. Social interconnectedness at the macro level may be shaped by national policies that specifically address segregation by race, gender, and social economic status. Often macro-level policies have significant consequences on social relationships. The legality of gay marriages is a macro level policy that may have major influences on the social relationships of couples and families and their interactions with larger social institutions. Settings have geographic, spatial, or social boundaries. On the micro level, these may be risk settings such as bars, brothels, and shooting galleries, or resource access points, like HIV testing centers and STI and HIV medical clinics. The locations and layout of resource settings may effect whom they attract and reach.58 The design of a clinic may influence the perception of suitability for women, couples, families, and stigmatized groups. At the meso level, relevant settings may include neighborhoods or schools. Several studies have examined how neighborhood factors are linked to HIV risk behaviors and numerous interventions have targeted schools.59,60 Still, few prevention interventions target whole neighborhoods and few studies have examined school-level di.Social norms, a key component of social influence and control, are maintained on the meso and macro levels. Social norms at the macro level, such as those regarding drug use, same sex behaviors, gender roles, and condom use, have a major impact on risk behaviors and transmission of HIV. Also on the macro level, media is a form of social influence that is often mediated by meso and micro level social networks. Informal social influence and control additionally occurs through opinion leaders and their social networks and through community monitoring of behaviors. Formal social control involves institutionally sanctioned social influence. On the macro level, this includes laws and policies and involves the organizations whose mandate it is to address specific public issues. The interpretation, implementation, and enforcement of laws and polices occurs at all structural levels. In many countries, the criminal justice system hasAIDS Behav. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 December 1.Latkin et al.Pagemuch more power than the public health system. Structuring policies so that the public health sector is primarily responsible for drug use issues is likely to have different consequences than if the criminal justice sector is the primary agency. Ideally, the criminal justice and health ministries collaborate. In Taiwan, the formal and informal linkages between the criminal justice and health sectors have lead to comprehensive needle exchange and methadone maintenance programs throughout the country.57 Social interconnectedness refers to the structure of social relationships. On the micro and meso levels, social networks are a key component of social interconnectedness. Social networks may be located within a micro-setting such as a bar, a meso-setting such as a neighborhood, or a macro-setting such as a social media and information network. Networks can be face-to-face or electronic. Social networks have structural properties, such as density of ties, centrality of key members, and size. They also have functional attributes, such as material or emotional support, and role relationships, including family members, coworkers, and drug and sex partners. There are also higher level networks, such as those between formal organizations and political groups. Social interconnectedness at the macro level may be shaped by national policies that specifically address segregation by race, gender, and social economic status. Often macro-level policies have significant consequences on social relationships. The legality of gay marriages is a macro level policy that may have major influences on the social relationships of couples and families and their interactions with larger social institutions. Settings have geographic, spatial, or social boundaries. On the micro level, these may be risk settings such as bars, brothels, and shooting galleries, or resource access points, like HIV testing centers and STI and HIV medical clinics. The locations and layout of resource settings may effect whom they attract and reach.58 The design of a clinic may influence the perception of suitability for women, couples, families, and stigmatized groups. At the meso level, relevant settings may include neighborhoods or schools. Several studies have examined how neighborhood factors are linked to HIV risk behaviors and numerous interventions have targeted schools.59,60 Still, few prevention interventions target whole neighborhoods and few studies have examined school-level di.
