Agenda

All times Eastern Standard.


TUESDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2022

12:30 – 1:45 PM EST

PLENARY 1

SYNCing Syndemic Approaches Across Government Agencies

This session will explore how government agencies collaborate and innovate to address the epidemics of HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, MPXV, and substance use disorders. Adapting to the ever-changing landscape has created barriers and sparked innovation within agencies, programs, and the public health workforce. Government agencies are forced to adapt in order to effectively address the priorities of emerging viruses, new epidemiology data, and health access disparities. The session focuses on how government agencies are taking a syndemic approach, and highlights how synchronizing strategies can impact epidemics and pandemics.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe how federal agencies are implementing a syndemic approach to addressing epidemics of HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, MPXV, and substance use disorders.
  • Identify ways in which federal health agencies are employing innovative solutions-focused approaches across the epidemics of HIV, viral Hepatitis, STIs, and opioids.
  • Explain the effect of mitigating the impact that COVID-19 has had on community health services and health equity.

Speakers

  • Marissa TonelliHealthHIV
  • Dr. Jonathan Mermin, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and Incident Manager, Mpox Response
  • Dr. Leandro Mena, Division of STD Prevention, CDC National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention 
  • Dr. Laura Cheever, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB), Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
  • Ernia Hughes, Office of Health Center Investment Oversight, Health Resources and Services Administration

1:45 – 2:15 PM EST

Break / View Posters

SYNC 2022’s virtual poster hall features presentation abstracts on the topics of HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment; Hepatitis C; COVID-19; Harm Reduction; MSM of Color Health; Equity and Inclusion; LGBTQ Health; Women’s Health; and intersectional public health topics. View the Posters page for a full list.


2:15 – 3:45 PM EST

PLENARY 2

SYNCing Community Voices and Multi-Dimensional Responses to Competing and Complex Epidemics

This plenary brings together various community-based organizations from across the country to discuss how new responses are needed in the “new world” we live in. This “new world” has impacted various populations such as Black women, members of the Latinx community, gay and bisexual men, and Transgender persons and how new responses are needed.

Learning Objectives

  • Describe the impact of living in a syndemic environment among various populations
  • Describe how organizations have pivoted to meet the needs of clients in a syndemic environment. 
  • Describe the current landscape of programming that integrates multiple responses in a syndemic environment.
  • Identify national and local prevention activities. 
  • Describe best practices that address programming in a hybrid environment.

Speakers

  • Ken PettigrewHealthHIV
  • Tori CooperHuman Rights Campaign
  • Manuel Diaz-RamirezLa Clinica Del Pueblo
  • Antonio Driver, Speakout USA
  • Amber Tejada, Hepatitis Education Project
  • Dr. Mauda MongerMy Brother’s Keeper

3:45 PM EST

Self-Paced, On Demand Trainings

  • HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ Certification Program (HIVPCP)
    The HealthHIV HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ Certification Program is an online, self-paced CME accredited certification program composed of eight modules in HIV prevention detailing the pertinent clinical and practice information that clinicians need to effectively employ HIV prevention interventions.
  • PrEP Navigation TrainingPleasePrEPMe.Org 
    PrEP access can be challenging for PrEP seekers and navigation staff alike. At PleasePrEPMe, we hear lots of questions about paying for PrEP, finding a sex-positive prescriber, and other essentials of supportive PrEP services. In response, we designed “Helping People Access PrEP” as a free, self-directed, online training to help answer these and many other questions. It is based on our free PrEP navigation manual.
  • Opioid Education and TrainingHealthHIV Opioid Learning Institute 
    The HealthHIV Opioid Learning Institute, led by HealthHIV, is a comprehensive educational initiative with a mission to educate prescribers and other health care professionals on safe and effective opioid prescribing practices. The self-paced CME/CE accredited curriculum covers topics related to evidence-based opioid use treatment options, safe opioid prescribing, reduction of risks of opioid misuse, effective communication strategies with patients about opioid misuse, and overdose prevention.


WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2022

12:00 – 1:30 PM EST

PLENARY 3

SYNCing on a National PrEP Program through Community Advocacy and Innovation

Leveraging and aligning community involvement as a way to drive collaborative public health responses is vital to meaningfully address social determinants of health. And while today’s breakthroughs in several arenas have improved health care delivery and patient outcomes for many, we need community advocacy to capitalize on the science that sustains our health, including HIV prevention science. This session takes a critical look at innovative ways communities act as public health force-multipliers, through the creation of and advocacy for a National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Program that would increase equity and accessibility to this revolutionary HIV prevention tool.

Learning Objectives

  • Identify the key components of a national PrEP program
  • Understand the impact of HIV prevention efforts for the black community
  • Understand the federal policies impacting PrEP access, including medication and lab coverage
  • Understand systems that work for undocumented community members
  • Identify ways to center equity in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a national PrEP program

Speakers

  • Brian HujdichHealthHIV
  • Jeremiah Johnson, PrEP4All 
  • Amy KilleleaKillelea Consulting
  • Michael Chancley, PrEP4All 
  • Guillermo ChaconLatino Commission on AIDS
  • Raniyah Copeland, Equity & Impact Solutions

1:30 – 2:00 PM EST

Break / View Posters

SYNC 2022’s virtual poster hall features presentation abstracts on the topics of HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment; Hepatitis C; COVID-19; Harm Reduction; MSM of Color Health; Equity and Inclusion; LGBTQ Health; Women’s Health; and intersectional public health topics. View the Posters page for a full list.


2:00 PM EST

Self-Paced, On Demand Trainings

  • HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ Certification Program (HIVPCP)
    The HealthHIV HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ Certification Program is an online, self-paced CME accredited certification program composed of eight modules in HIV prevention detailing the pertinent clinical and practice information that clinicians need to effectively employ HIV prevention interventions.
  • PrEP Navigation TrainingPleasePrEPMe.Org 
    PrEP access can be challenging for PrEP seekers and navigation staff alike. At PleasePrEPMe, we hear lots of questions about paying for PrEP, finding a sex-positive prescriber, and other essentials of supportive PrEP services. In response, we designed “Helping People Access PrEP” as a free, self-directed, online training to help answer these and many other questions. It is based on our free PrEP navigation manual.
  • Opioid Education and TrainingHealthHIV Opioid Learning Institute 
    The HealthHIV Opioid Learning Institute, led by HealthHIV, is a comprehensive educational initiative with a mission to educate prescribers and other health care professionals on safe and effective opioid prescribing practices. The self-paced CME/CE accredited curriculum covers topics related to evidence-based opioid use treatment options, safe opioid prescribing, reduction of risks of opioid misuse, effective communication strategies with patients about opioid misuse, and overdose prevention.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2022

12:00 – 1:30 PM EST

PLENARY 4

SYNCing Resources and Action to Address the Socioeconomic Determinants of Syndemics and Epidemics

Research has long shown that epidemics and syndemics, including HIV, hepatitis C, sexually-transmitted infections, MPV, and COVID-19, disparately impact underserved, disenfranchised groups. These populations, which encompass racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender-diverse persons, substance users, and others, represent historically underserved populations. These groups often experience limited access to basic resources, including housing, food, housing, employment, and education, compounded by the stress associated with overlapping stigmas, such as racism, HIV stigma, and homophobia. Mitigating the impact of epidemics and syndemics requires a synchronized, syndemic approach that facilitates coordination, collaboration, investment, and innovation across local, state, and federal partners. Detailing the complex, intersectional social, political, and economic forces driving epidemics and syndemics in underserved communities is key to mitigating and ultimately eliminating them. 

Speakers will describe how their agencies sync resources, including staff, funding, and knowledge, with Federal, state, and local stakeholders to address epidemics and syndemics — specifically those systemic and structural factors that undermine engagement, access, and use of clinical, behavioral, and support services. In addition, they will detail their current work to support and expand current evidence-based services and interventions that break down organizational silos and maximize impact on the social determinants of health.

Learning Objectives

  • Discuss the disparate impact of epidemics and syndemics (notably HIV, hepatitis C, sexually-transmitted infections, MPV, COVID-19, and substance use) on underserved populations.
  • Describe a synchronized syndemic approach to mitigating and ultimately eliminating syndemics and pandemics. 
  • Detail how organizations are syncing resources with Federal, state, and community-based partners to address the determinants of health and mitigate the impacts of syndemics and pandemics in marginalized communities.

Speakers

  • Dr. Circe J. Gray Le CompteHealthHIV and Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute
  • Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, White House National Monkeypox Response Deputy Coordinator, and Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Jo Valentine, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Daemon Donigan, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, HIV Prevention Capacity Building Assistance

1:30 – 2:00 PM EST

Break / View Posters

SYNC 2022’s virtual poster hall features presentation abstracts on the topics of HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment; Hepatitis C; COVID-19; Harm Reduction; MSM of Color Health; Equity and Inclusion; LGBTQ Health; Women’s Health; and intersectional public health topics. View the Posters page for a full list.


2:00 – 3:30 PM EST

PLENARY 5

SYNCing Strategies for Improving Black Women’s Health

In Remembrance: Panelists will open the session by recognizing and paying tribute to Janet Cleveland, Barbara Joseph and Dawn Smith.

This session will begin by honoring three trail blazers in the HIV field. Their legacies have had a significant impact on Black women’s health and lives. Black women in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by HIV and STIs. Identifying strategies that synchronize the state of HIV prevention with tools that engage and develop skills for communities and providers will positively impact Black women’s health.

Learning Objectives

  • Explain the state of HIV prevention for Black women in the U.S. 
  • Identify training and educational opportunities that support Black women’s health.
  • Identify the barriers and approaches to increase PrEP use among Black women.

Speakers

  • Dr. Melissa KelleyHealthHIV
  • Deborah LevineThe National Black Women’s HIV/AIDS Network
  • Capt. Robyn Neblett FanfairNational Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, & TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
  • Rhondette Jones NicksonDivision of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  • Leisha McKinley-BeachPlatinum Level Production

3:30 PM EST

Self-Paced, On Demand Trainings

  • HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ Certification Program (HIVPCP)
    The HealthHIV HIV Prevention Certified Provider™ Certification Program is an online, self-paced CME accredited certification program composed of eight modules in HIV prevention detailing the pertinent clinical and practice information that clinicians need to effectively employ HIV prevention interventions.
  • PrEP Navigation TrainingPleasePrEPMe.Org 
    PrEP access can be challenging for PrEP seekers and navigation staff alike. At PleasePrEPMe, we hear lots of questions about paying for PrEP, finding a sex-positive prescriber, and other essentials of supportive PrEP services. In response, we designed “Helping People Access PrEP” as a free, self-directed, online training to help answer these and many other questions. It is based on our free PrEP navigation manual.
  • Opioid Education and TrainingHealthHIV Opioid Learning Institute 
    The HealthHIV Opioid Learning Institute, led by HealthHIV, is a comprehensive educational initiative with a mission to educate prescribers and other health care professionals on safe and effective opioid prescribing practices. The self-paced CME/CE accredited curriculum covers topics related to evidence-based opioid use treatment options, safe opioid prescribing, reduction of risks of opioid misuse, effective communication strategies with patients about opioid misuse, and overdose prevention.