The latest EHE Quarterly Stakeholder webinar was held on June 22 and focused on ways to reduce HIV stigma through evidence-based practices. WatchExit Disclaimer the presentation, which included options for improving HIV diagnosis, care, and prevention outcomes for individuals with HIV. The forum provided an opportunity for community members and government officials to interact during a question-and-answer session.

Special guests were Derek Spencer, Executive Director, FOCUS Program at Gilead SciencesExit Disclaimer; Dr. Whitney S. RiceExit Disclaimer, Assistant Professor, Department of Behavioral, Social and Health Education Sciences at the Emory Rollins School of Public Health, and Director, Center for Reproductive Health Research in the Southeast (RISE); and Dr. Andrea Norcini PalaExit Disclaimer, Associate Research Scientist, Social Intervention Group, Columbia School of Social Work.

Here are a few highlights from the presenters:

• Derek Spencer discussed the importance of a routine policy-driven screening approach to overcome stigma in identifying HIV, hepatitis C virus, and syphilis among Black and Hispanic females of childbearing age through four pillars of routine screening utilized in the FOCUS Program.


• Dr. Rice explored women with HIV and intersections of stigmas.


• Dr. Pala discussed the need to design tailored, culturally sensitive interventions for Black men who have sex with men with HIV to address intersectional stigma and improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy.


• Marissa Robinson of the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy presented excerpts from the “I am a Work of ART” campaign and shared key takeaways and next steps for implementing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

To learn more about ways to reduce HIV stigma through evidence-based practices, watchExit Disclaimer the recording playback from the June EHE Quarterly Stakeholder webinar. Please save the date for an upcoming EHE webinar on November 8 from 2:00-3:15pm (ET), which will focus on health equity.  

Follow the HIV.gov blog and social handles for upcoming events and details on the next EHE Quarterly Stakeholder webinar!

For more information about the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative, visit HIV.gov.