Monday, October 1, 2012

GMHC, the world’s first AIDS organization, brings contingent to the 2012 United States Conference on AIDS


In its 30th year, Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is bringing a robust contingent to Las Vegas, Nevada for the United States Conference on AIDS (USCA).  The GMHC team will present on a diverse range of critical topics, sharing their expertise and best practices with representatives of AIDS service organizations and other community-based organizations. USCA is the largest annual AIDS-related gathering in the country, bringing together thousands of service providers from all fronts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic—from case managers and physicians, to public health workers and advocates, people living with HIV/AIDS to policymakers—to build national support networks, exchange the latest information and discuss tools to bring an end to the epidemic.

"To be able to participate in this importance conference in the U.S. is significant," said Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of GMHC.”I am proud that we have such talented staff members who will share their wealth of experience with people all over the country."

GMHC will be participating in five sessions which includes issues on HIV-stigma in different geographical areas and cultures; examining the impact of the Affordable Care Act on older adults living with HIV and AIDS; GMHC’s innovative prevention programs for men of color who have sex with men; how social media networks help AIDS service organizations; and the challenges of HIV prevention, treatment and care for the aging.

Below is the schedule of the sessions at Caesars Palace.

Sunday, September 30, 4:50 pm to 5:00 pm, Octavius 19/Promenade South
“The Unique Stigma of Different Geographical Areas and Cultures”
Presenter: Lillibeth Gonzalez, Community Health Specialist, GMHC, NYC 

Monday, October 1, 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm, Forum 18/Pool Level
“Examining the Impact of the Affordable Care Act on Services, Care and Treatment for Older Adults Living and Aging with HIV/AIDS”
Presenters: Michelle Scavnicky, MS and Marylin Merida, The AIDS Institute, Tampa, FL
Dan Tietz, AIDS Community Research Initiative, NYC
Ace Robinson, Managing Director, Public Policy, Research and Community Health, GMHC, NYC
Aaron Tax, SAGE, NYC

The purpose of the workshop is to examine HIV/AIDS and aging among older adults including research, prevention, care and treatment. The workshop will draw particular attention to the impact of the Affordable Care Act on services, care and treatment for older adults living and aging with HIV/AIDS. The experts will demonstrate the unique care and treatment needs of the individual living with HIV/AIDS, examine the healthcare needs of the HIV and aging population, and emphasize the need for future medical research. Data will include individuals who have been living with the disease for 25 plus years versus the newly infected older adult living with HIV in the present medical arena. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in didactic discussions around specific HIV and aging related issues; engage in policy discussions that examine the impact of the Affordable Care Act on services, care and treatment for those aging with HIV; and address care and treatment challenges, particularly for older adults. The workshop will also address the interconnectedness of the ACA, Medicaid, and Ryan White.

Tuesday, October 2, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, Milano 8/Promenade Level
“GMHC's Innovative Prevention Program Model:  Community Helping Community, Brothers Keeping Brothers Safe”

Presenters: Lynnette Ford, MSW, Director, Kalyaní A. Sánchez, Onsite Testing Supervisor, and Amor Boykin, Care Coordination Specialist, David Geffen Center for HIV Prevention & Health Education,  GMHC, NYC

This workshop will highlight best practices in engaging, recruiting, and retaining young men who have sex with men of color (YMSMOC) in HIV Prevention programs. Participants will leave with concrete next steps they can employ to improve their program services targeted to YMSMOC. Brothers Keeping Brothers Safe (BKBS) is our group level intervention and Leaders in Networking and Knowledge (LINK) is our individual level intervention. The workshop will be conducted by program staff from both interventions.

Tuesday, October 2, 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm, Milano 1/Promenade Level
"HIV Prevention Goes Social Part II: Social Media Strategy, Policy & Monitoring"
Presented by National Minority AIDS Council and AIDS.gov
Krishna Stone, Assistant Director, Community Relations, appears in a video about social media work at GMHC.

As a follow up to NMAC’s 2011 Social Media Toolkit, please join NMAC and AIDS.gov staff as we present our new workbook: HIV Prevention Goes Social Part II. In this workshop we will delve deeper into three key areas: strategy, social media policies and guidelines, and monitoring and evaluating social media efforts. Learn how the tailored activities in our workbook can help you customize and meet the needs of your audience and apply to your mission, goals and work in providing high–quality HIV prevention and services.


Tuesday, October 2, 2:30 pm, Octavius 7/Promenade South
“HIV and Aging: Prevention, Treatment and Care Challenges of the Epidemic’s Fourth Decade”
Presenters: Dan Tietz, AIDS Community Research Initiative of America, New York, NY
Kenneth South, AAHIVM, Washington, DC
Aaron Tax, SAGE, Washington, DC
Ace Robinson, Managing Director, Public Policy, Research and Community Health, GMHC, NYC

This workshop aims to bring a greater understanding of the prevention, treatment and care challenges and concerns experienced by the aging population. The workshop will cover epidemiology, prevention, and care management in the context of multi-morbidity—the occurrence of two or more chronic medical conditions common in older adults with HIV—and caregiving challenges. Recent guidelines developed by AAHIVM targeting HIV-positive older adults will also be shared.

No comments:

Post a Comment