The U.S. Conference of HIV/AIDS is set to begin Monday, Oct. 19. The conference, held virtually this year due to COVID-19, has all of the things you’d expect at an in-person event, including: five plenaries, 60 workshops, 12 institutes and an exhibit hall.

AIDS United has a robust presence at the conference, with staff leading four workshops and two institutes.

More information can be found on the conference’s website. All times below are Eastern Daylight Time. If you’re not available when the session is live, recordings will be available for the next 12 months.

We hope you’ll attend. And make sure to stop by our virtual booth to hear more about the work AIDS United is doing to end the HIV epidemic in the United States.

2-3:30 p.m.

HIV, Aging and COVID-19: Practices and Policies

Merilyn Francis, Ronald Johnson

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues across the country and around the world, many people living with HIV are understandably concerned about how this virus is affecting them and the communities they call home. AIDS United will convene a virtual roundtable discussion of HIV, aging, and infectious disease experts to provide information about COVID-19 and people aging with HIV and to help address community anxiety. Panelists will also discuss the recommended policy changes on which advocacy needs to be focused and what types of advocacy can be implemented in the context COVID-19.

4-5 p.m.

National Implementation of Interventions for Black MSM with HIV

Massah Massaquoi, Alicia Downes, Dr. Alex Keuroghlian, Deairius Houston, Tiyana Chaney, Greg Harris, Jeffrey Birnbaum, Ramesh Smith

This workshop will explore the national implementation of evidence-informed interventions for Black men who have sex with men living with HIV, through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Evidence-Informed Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes among People Living with HIV initiative, or E2i for short. E2i implementation sites will discuss their implementation of three effective and culturally-tailored interventions for Black MSM: Project CONNECT, Tailored Motivational Interviewing, and “Text Messaging Intervention to Improve Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence among HIV Positive Youth.”

4-5 p.m.

National Implementation of Interventions to Address Trauma

Alicia Downes, Dr. Alex Keuroghlian, Joseph Stango, Victoria Leftridge, Nicole Pepper, Laurali Riley

This workshop will explore the national implementation of evidence-informed interventions that identify and address trauma among people with HIV, through the Health Resources and Services Administration’s Evidence-Informed Interventions to Improve Health Outcomes among People Living with HIV initiative, or E2i for short. E2i implementation sites will discuss their implementation of three effective and culturally-tailored interventions to identify and address trauma among people with HIV: cognitive processing therapy, seeking safety, and TIA/CHANGE.

1-2 p.m.

The Role of Emergency Departments in Ending the HIV Epidemic

Kelly Stevens, Mazdak Mazarei, Rupa Patel

With the most vulnerable populations facing significant barriers accessing primary care, many people end up seeking help at emergency departments instead. For this reason, providing HIV prevention services in emergency departments is an essential component reaching people who may not be identified through risk-based screenings or accessing these services elsewhere. Yet, despite the key role emergency departments can and should play in preventing HIV, many jurisdictions struggle with engaging emergency departments to offer these services. In this workshop, participants will learn strategies for getting institutional buy-in, and discuss field-tested practices for:

   

  • Implementing routine opt-out HIV screening.

   

  • Supporting access to nPEP and PrEP for patients visiting the emergency department.

   

  • Physical and structural considerations for continued patient engagement.

 

5-6 p.m.

African American Institute: Ain’t No Stimulus Coming this Way (Presented by NMAC CAP)

Valerie Rochester

This institute will address the changing governmental priorities that have resulted in reduced funding and impacted our communities in ways we have never imagined. We must be prepared for major changes that could impact our communities well beyond the pandemic. Our focus will be providing tools and resources to help organizations and the HIV workforce sustain beyond the current double pandemic, and will include information on organizational sustainability, mental health.

Noon-1 p.m.

Burnout & Self-Care: Sustaining Young Queer Leaders in the Movement

Laura Gerson, Carsen Beckwith, Tobeya Ibitayo

The high rates of turnover as a result of stress and burnout are of pervasive concern for those working in HIV prevention, care, and advocacy. Presenters will examine the needs of young queer people, share their stories, and discuss strategies for the sustainable support of these communities in the movement to end HIV. Presenters will guide participants through specific strategies and introduce tools to build resiliency and to prevent burnout.