SYNC 2026 Agenda
The schedule presented here is subject to change as the agenda is finalized.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.
Strategies to Improve Women’s Access to HIV Prevention Services through Opt-Out ED-Based Testing and Linkage to Care
Culturally informed care is vital for linking diverse women to treatment, prevention, and testing services for HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C (HCV). Untreated STIs pose serious health risks for women which can lead to long-term complications. Despite ongoing national calls to expand prevention and treatment, syphilis rates have increased 6.8% amongst women ages 15-44 from 2022-2023. Congenital syphilis is currently at its highest since 1992. Due to persistent disparities in testing and diagnosis, women are more likely to be diagnosed with HIV at older ages, particularly Black women. Historically, women have been underrepresented in HIV testing, prevention and treatment initiatives. Women have low rates of biological prevention method uptake, such as PrEP, despite increased diagnosis rates. Although women account for 18% of new HIV diagnoses in the U.S, women make up only 8% of PrEP users. Opt-out Emergency Department (ED) testing programs are instrumental for increasing testing rates and improving prevention access for women, particularly in communities experiencing disparities. Patient navigation teams play an integral role in bridging the gap between ED testing and follow-up services, including treatment and prevention beyond the ED. Referring patients to community gynecological providers has proved an effective strategy for connecting women to preventative care following ED-based screening.
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Accreditation, Credit, and Support
Information on credits offered to SYNC participants for attending institutes, sessions, and plenaries — live or in-person — is available here.
Commercial Support Acknowledgement
This conference is supported, in part, by independent educational grants from ineligible companies. A full list of supporters is available here. All accredited content has been developed and delivered in accordance with the ACCME Standards for Integrity and Independence and the criteria of Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education™, and is free of commercial bias.


