Podcast Episode 16: "Sex, Drugs, & Behavioral Interventions"

Host: Bevin Amira, Deputy Director, NaRCAD

A conversation with Rocko Cook, Public Health Detailers & Program Manager, Detailing Improved Sexual Health (DISH), Arizona State University 

​Tag: Podcast Series, Evidence Based Medicine

We can't talk about HIV without talking about sex and drugs.

 In this episode, we connect with Rocko Cook, whose over 30 years in the field of HIV prevention, care, and community-building give us insights into the best ways to the best ways to communicate with patients and clinicians alike. Rocko shares their story of learning about their own HIV+ status; unique projects that meet people "where they're at", including HIV testing in bathhouses; and the importance of partnering with clinicians as a consultant, partner, and advocate of patients.

Learn more about DISH-AZ and the work they do.

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Click here for the audio transcription.

​“I truly believe that if we don't have an anchor that keeps us tied and moored to who we are as people, and we don't have that passion and motivation to do something about it, then we're probably not going to be as effective as we could be.”
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–Rocko Cook, DISH-AZ Academic Detailer "

Biography. Rocko Cook serves as the Program Manager for DISH-AZ (Detailing for Improved Sexual Health in Arizona), a program of the Office of Evaluation and Partner Contracts for the Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center (SIRC) at Arizona State University in partnership with Arizona Department of Health and Human Services. Rocko began working in the field of HIV in 1994 and is a community leader with over 15 years of experience implementing prevention and care programs in Arizona, Ohio, and Kentucky. In addition to his duties as a program manager, Rocko has served as a public speaker, presenter at local and national conferences, and as a consultant and leader for HIV community planning groups. Rocko has been living with HIV since 2002 and is passionate about improving sexual health for all communities.