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.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. “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.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.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.
Plenary 5: SYNCing Strategies for Improving Black Women’s Health
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.