Webinar Invitation—Moving Black MSM along the HIV Care Continuum: Challenges, Opportunities, and Emerging Practices

On June 25, 2014, the HHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OHAIDP) will host a public webinar to highlight innovative approaches and strategies being implemented by state health departments, clinical providers, researchers, and federal partners in providing HIV care and treatment to black gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM).

Despite the fact that blacks represent only 12% of the U.S. population, in a recent Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (February 7, 2014) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that blacks account for 44% of new HIV infections and also 44% of Americans living with HIV infection. In addition, CDC reported that the percentages of blacks diagnosed with HIV who are linked to care, retained in care, taking antiretroviral medications, and achieving viral suppression – each step of the HIV care continuum – are lower than for other racial/ethnic groups. Black males had lower levels of care and viral suppression than black females and, by transmission category, black males with HIV infection attributed to male-to-male sexual contact had the lowest percentage of linkage to care (71.6%).

The goal of this webinar is to better understand the challenges to and opportunities for helping black MSM successfully navigate the HIV care continuum from initial HIV diagnosis to achieving viral suppression. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 25, 2014, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (EDT).The webinar will feature presentations from the following guest speakers:

• Y. Omar Whiteside, Ph.D., Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, NCHHSTP, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, GA
• Ann Robbins, Senior Public Health Advisor, TB, HIV/STD and Viral Hepatitis Unit, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, TX
• Andres F. Camacho-Gonzalez, M.D. , Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Emory University and Grady Health System Ponce de Leon Center, Atlanta, GA
• Dylan Orr, J.D. Chief of Staff, Office of Disability Employment Policy, US Department of Labor, Washington, DC
• LaRon Nelson, Ph.D., RN, FNP, Dean’s Endowed Fellow in Health Disparities and Assistant Professor of Nursing, Associate Director of international Research, Center for AIDS Research, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY

Following the final presentation, time will be available for public Q&A with the panelists.

We hope you will be able to join us for this discussion and look forward to your participation on June 25th. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns in advance, please email Dr. Timothy Harrison at HHS/OHAIDP at timothy.harrison@hhs.gov. Space is limited.