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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T193634Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T180210Z
UID:10000213-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Aging While Black and LGBTQ+/SGL: Legacy\, Equity\, and the HIV Long-Term Survivor Experience
DESCRIPTION:This interactive session explores the intersection of aging\, race\, gender identity\, and sexuality through the lens of Black LGBTQ+/SGL individuals living with HIV. Drawing from lived experiences and frameworks like Aging While Black by Raymond Jetson\, the session redefines aging not as decline\, but as a site for power\, healing\, and systemic transformation. \nParticipants will engage with narrative testimonies\, policy critiques\, and culturally affirming models that center the resilience and wisdom of long-term HIV survivors. Despite the medical advances that have extended life expectancy\, many Black LGBTQ+/SGL elders still face structural inequities such as housing insecurity\, behavioral health neglect\, inadequate caregiving supports\, and economic instability—all rooted in systems of racism\, ageism\, and homophobia. \nThrough collaborative dialogue\, attendees will examine the political determinants of health\, uplift elder leadership\, and co-create actionable strategies for promoting aging equity. Participants will leave with practical tools\, a renewed commitment to affirming care\, and an expanded understanding of how to better support aging Black LGBTQ+/SGL communities affected by HIV.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/aging-while-black-and-lgbtq-sgl-legacy-equity-and-the-hiv-long-term-survivor-experience/
LOCATION:Studio B
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVCareTreatment.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T164536Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T174034Z
UID:10000159-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Reframing Herpes Prevention\, Treatment\, and Care Through a Strengths-Based Lens: A Call to Normalize Herpes and Advance Stigma Informed Communication
DESCRIPTION:Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is one of the most common yet misunderstood sexually transmitted infections\, often framed through a deficit-based lens emphasizing stigma\, fear\, and distress. This presentation issues a strengths-based call to action; reimagining HSV prevention\, treatment\, and care as opportunities to foster resilience\, agency\, and self-compassion among patients and providers. \nDrawing from two complementary studies\, the presentation will highlight how individuals living with HSV demonstrate strength\, empathy\, and adaptability while calling on healthcare providers to improve stigma-informed care\, patient engagement\, and normalization of HSV in sexual health communication. The first study\, based on qualitative interviews with healthcare providers across New York State\, explores how clinicians navigate patient anxiety and misinformation following a diagnosis. Providers emphasized empathetic communication\, reframing herpes as a manageable and common condition\, and using trust-building dialogue to reduce stigma\, underscoring how affirming\, person-centered clinical encounters can model best practices in care. The second study\, a national survey of over 1\,000 adults living with HSV\, identifies trends in disclosure behaviors\, treatment practices\, and mental well-being. Many respondents reported proactive engagement in safer sex practices\, timely treatment\, and open disclosure despite emotional challenges\, highlighting resilience and ethical commitment. Findings also point to the need for improved educational materials\, communication trainings that include communication strategies when delivering an HSV clinical diagnosis\, and acknowledgment of antiviral therapy’s psychological benefits. \nTogether\, these findings advance a reframing of HSV prevention\, treatment\, and care from pathology to possibility. This session will invite healthcare and public health professionals to embrace strengths-based\, stigma-informed strategies.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/reframing-herpes-prevention-treatment-and-care-through-a-strengths-based-lens-a-call-to-normalize-herpes-and-advance-stigma-informed-communication/
LOCATION:Terrace
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-STIs.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260119T195255Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T182626Z
UID:10000097-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Leveraging Health Promotion Advocates in the Emergency Department to Expand HIV Testing: Findings from a Clinical Program
DESCRIPTION:Emergency departments (EDs) serve as a critical access point for medically underserved populations\, including individuals with substance use disorders (SUD)\, co-occurring psychiatric disorders (COD)\, and those at elevated risk for HIV. This presentation aims to describe a publicly funded HIV prevention and health services program co-located in two affiliated urban Midwestern EDs\, to describe any differences among patients who did and did not receive HIV testing\, and to discuss strategies for leveraging Health Promotion Advocates (HPAs) in ED settings. \nThis clinical program integrates specialized HPAs into the ED team to facilitate routine opt-out HIV testing and provide preventative care for up to six months after ED discharge. Program services were available to patients with diagnosed SUD/COD who were also identified as being at heightened risk of HIV. Those included in this analysis (n = 57) completed both baseline and six-month follow-up assessments\, which included demographics\, social determinants of health (SDOH) characteristics\, and HIV testing status. The mean age of patients was 40.4 years (SD = 10.5)\, and most identified as non-white (65%)\, non-Hispanic (88%)\, and female (51%). The majority reported annual income below $20\,000 (72%)\, unemployment (63%)\, and transportation barriers (60%). Overall\, 61% received HIV testing during the program period. There were no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) in the completion of an HIV test based on patient demographics or SDOH characteristics. These preliminary findings highlight the critical role that specialized health professionals can play in expanding access to routine HIV testing to vulnerable populations in ED settings.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/leveraging-health-promotion-advocates-in-the-emergency-department-to-expand-hiv-testing-findings-from-a-clinical-program/
LOCATION:Studio D
CATEGORIES:Power of Prevention,Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVPrevention.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260119T195019Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260304T133512Z
UID:10000096-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:The Future is Gray and Gay: Building Inclusive HIV Systems for LGBTQ+ Older Adults
DESCRIPTION:As the population of people living with HIV (PLWH) ages\, healthcare systems must evolve to meet the complex needs of older adults\, particularly those who identify as LGBTQ+. Over half of PLWH in the U.S. are now aged 50 or older\, many of whom face not only physical health challenges but also the compounded effects of stigma\, isolation\, and discrimination. Holy Cross Health in Broward County\, Florida\, has developed a comprehensive\, community-embedded care model that integrates HIV treatment with aging services\, behavioral health\, and chronic disease management. This peer- and community health worker–led\, equity-focused approach is designed to address disparities among LGBTQ+ individuals\, people of color\, and those experiencing economic hardship. The model emphasizes cultural humility\, trauma-informed care\, and whole-person wellness. This session will explore how this integrated framework improves outcomes and offers a scalable solution for reimagining HIV care for aging LGBTQ+ populations.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/the-future-is-gray-and-gay-building-inclusive-hiv-systems-for-lgbtq-older-adults/
LOCATION:Studio B
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVCareTreatment.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T173000
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T194327Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T170512Z
UID:10000217-1773936000-1773941400@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Public-Private Partnerships: A Cost-Saving Model to Efficiently End Multiple Public Health Epidemics
DESCRIPTION:Congenital syphilis is a completely preventable condition that imposes a significant clinical and financial burden on our current strained healthcare system. In response to rising infection rates in Miami-Dade County\, Homestead Hospital (HH) implemented an innovative\, Electronic Health Record-integrated Syphilis Screening Algorithm in 2019\, embedded within its existing routine HIV and Hepatitis C testing infrastructure. Prioritizing pregnancy-related indicators\, the system uses the Reverse Sequence Algorithm to enable early detection and treatment\, particularly among pregnant patients. This initiative is supported by a public-private partnership with the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County\, ensuring seamless linkage to post-discharge prevention services. \nBetween 2018 and 2021\, HH averted 15 cases of congenital syphilis\, translating to an estimated $1.8 million in healthcare cost savings. Statewide adoption of the model across 12 hospitals contributed to the prevention of 275 cases from 2019 to 2024\, with an estimated cost aversion of nearly $33 million. Beyond the significant financial impact\, the program exemplifies a scalable\, equity-driven approach to public-private partnership interventions. Through the automation of screening and integrating services\, it reduces provider bias\, enhances early interventions\, and supports sustainable epidemic control. Policy updates to support bundled billing and reimbursement are essential for broader implementation and long-term sustainability.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/public-private-partnerships-a-cost-saving-model-to-efficiently-end-multiple-public-health-epidemics/
LOCATION:Studio E
CATEGORIES:Power of Prevention,Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVPrevention.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T173000
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T193934Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T141050Z
UID:10000214-1773936000-1773941400@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Bridging Systems: Integrating HIV and Aging Services to Address Behavioral Health and Social Isolation
DESCRIPTION:Older adults living with HIV—especially Black gay men aged 50 and over—face compounding challenges including stigma\, fragmented care\, and under-resourced behavioral health services. This session highlights strategies from the Aging and HIV Institute (A&H)\, a California-based think tank dedicated to bridging HIV and aging service systems. \nA featured initiative is Dundun—a narrative- and policy-focused project funded by the Joseph Beam Black Gay Men’s Wellness Grant. Rooted in the metaphor of the “talking drum\,” Dundun centers the lived experiences of older Black gay men with HIV to influence California’s behavioral health priorities under Proposition 1 and the Master Plan for Aging. A&H will share strategies for using culturally grounded storytelling\, coalition-building\, and legislative outreach to advance mental health equity. \nThe session will also draw from successful local efforts\, such as the LKAPS Roundtable peer support model and the Barbershop program developed with Brothers of the Desert. These initiatives show how community connection and culturally relevant programming can reduce stigma and promote well-being. \nParticipants will leave with tools for engaging marginalized populations in policy advocacy\, integrating HIV and aging services\, and building lasting equity-focused coalitions.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/bridging-systems-integrating-hiv-and-aging-services-to-address-behavioral-health-and-social-isolation/
LOCATION:Potomac B
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVCareTreatment.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T173000
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T170540Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260313T181939Z
UID:10000167-1773936000-1773941400@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Diverse\, Low Barrier MAT Programs: Case Studies for Increasing Access to Prevent Overdose
DESCRIPTION:In response to the opioid overdose epidemic\, national efforts to increase access to medication assisted treatment (MAT) have driven key policy changes in an effort to promote access to lifesaving treatment such as methadone and buprenorphine. Facente Consulting and The Center at the Sierra Health Foundation partnered to assess the current landscape of MAT services throughout several settings in California\, and created a series of case study videos\, a landscape analysis report\, and policy briefs. This presentation will explore the process and findings of this landscape analysis\, sharing some key case study videos and highlighting the various creative ways that programs have integrated MAT treatment into existing models even if they do not have a prescribing provider onsite. Participants will become familiarized with the meaning and significance of low barriers services in an MAT setting\, and will discuss various ways that MAT programs have been successful in preventing overdose and improving the overall health and wellness of their clients through provision of MAT.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/diverse-low-barrier-mat-programs-case-studies-for-increasing-access-to-prevent-overdose/
LOCATION:Studio A
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-DrugUserHealth.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T173000
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T135257Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T172951Z
UID:10000098-1773936000-1773941400@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Frequent Participation in Ryan White Services Improves Time to HIV Viral Suppression Among Persons with HIV Monoinfection and Persons with HIV and HCV Coinfection in Philadelphia
DESCRIPTION:Hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection is associated with poor health outcomes for persons with HIV (PWH). Although higher HIV viral suppression rates have been reported among PWH who participate in Ryan White services\, studies have not assessed effects on HCV coinfection. \nWe used Philadelphia’s routine HIV and hepatitis surveillance data to identify new HIV diagnoses during November 2018–October 2021 in a retrospective cohort analysis. We plotted Kaplan-Meier curves and performed Cox regressions to understand effects of HCV coinfection and receipt of Ryan White support services on time to reach HIV viral suppression\, adjusting for linkage to HIV care\, retention in HIV care\, race and ethnicity\, gender\, age at time of HIV diagnosis\, and injection drug use history. \nAddressing social determinants of health through federally sponsored Ryan White services can improve health for persons with HIV monoinfection and HIV and HCV coinfection.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/frequent-participation-in-ryan-white-services-improves-time-to-hiv-viral-suppression-among-persons-with-hiv-monoinfection-and-persons-with-hiv-and-hcv-coinfection-in-philadelphia/
LOCATION:Studio E
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVCareTreatment.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T141500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T154500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T173953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T202633Z
UID:10000181-1773929700-1773935100@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Affirming\, Inclusive Reproductive Healthcare for LGBTQ+ Populations
DESCRIPTION:While reproductive health is a central aspect of overall health and well-being\, cultural assumptions and biases at various level of health systems can impact the quality of care for marginalized populations. LGBTQ+ clients in particular often find themselves navigating health systems that seem to assume heterosexuality and cisgender identity. This workshop explores the diverse reproductive healthcare needs of LGBTQ+ people\, and how health systems can better meet those needs. This session includes an overview of LGBTQ+ reproductive health disparities\, systemic barriers faced by LGBTQ+ clients navigating reproductive health services\, and actionable steps organizations and providers can take to provide affirming\, inclusive care.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/affirming-inclusive-reproductive-healthcare-for-lgbtq-populations/
LOCATION:Potomac A
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-LGBTQHealth.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T141500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T154500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T162121Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260319T173718Z
UID:10000147-1773929700-1773935100@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Resilience in the Margins: Empathy\, Leadership\, and the Power of Partnership in Building Health Infrastructure
DESCRIPTION:At the height of the opioid epidemic\, small towns across Southeast Ohio faced a rising tide of substance use and overdose yet reported surprisingly low rates of infectious disease. In 2019\, the Southeast Ohio Partnership formed to close this gap by expanding Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and HIV screening across 14 counties. What began as a modest collaboration evolved into a resilient\, flexible\, cross-sector network unified by deep community ties and a shared mission. \nDespite screening fewer than 2% of the intended population in its first year\, the project laid critical groundwork through relationship-building\, centering lived experience and recognizing that in communities where “everybody knows everybody\,” personal connection is infrastructure. Guided by servant leadership and shared leadership\, the partnership grew even amid systemic challenges. \nThis presentation traces the Ohio FOCUS HIV/HCV Partnership evolution\, from early setbacks and outdated policies to transformative progress made possible through adaptive strategies\, including the integration of a mobile testing model in partnership with Central Outreach Wellness Center. The model brought walk-in\, judgment-free care directly to those most at risk\, helping remove barriers to treatment. Additional partners\, such as Ohio University\, enhanced capacity through data coordination and evaluation. \nPresenters will explore how community-rooted leadership and flexible service delivery yielded increased screening\, improved linkage to care\, and a potential framework for health infrastructure. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of how trust\, humility\, and shared purpose can transform fragmented services into a coordinated\, patient-centered response to infectious disease in resource-limited settings.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/resilience-in-the-margins-empathy-leadership-and-the-power-of-partnership-in-building-health-infrastructure/
LOCATION:Terrace
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HCV.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T141500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T154500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T160112Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T202504Z
UID:10000136-1773929700-1773935100@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:My Steps To Care: Adaptation and Pilot-Testing of STC (Steps To Care) Intervention to Improve HIV Health Outcomes among Black Sexual Minority Men\, Black Cisgender Women\, and Trans Women Living With HIV in Washington DC
DESCRIPTION:The United States will not meet the targets of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) plan without an intentional focus on improving HIV outcomes among key populations living with HIV (LWH). Studies have shown that only 54% of Black sexual minority men (SMM) living with HIV are retained in care\, 55% maintain daily treatment adherence\, and 62% are virally suppressed. In 2021\, one-third of Black SMM (out of 5\,964)\, Black cisgender (out of 3\,079)\, and transgender (out of 271) women LWH in Washington DC (a priority EHE jurisdiction) had a detectable viral load (i.e.\, having more than 200 copies of HIV per milliliter of blood). These viral suppression rates are suboptimal\, despite a range of healthcare organizations and services in the region\, contributing to the further transmission of HIV in the region and highlighting a major public health failure. The purpose of this study is to address the health inequities among key populations living with HIV through a community-based participatory research (CBPR) mixed-methods study designed to adapt and pilot-test STEPS to Care (StC)\, a CDC-endorsed evidence-based intervention. This intervention consists of three person-centered\, evidence-informed strategies to improve retention in HIV care\, adherence to antiretroviral therapies\, and reduce viral load\, which include: Patient Navigation\, Care Team Coordination\, and HIV Self-Management.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/my-steps-to-care/
LOCATION:Studio C
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVCareTreatment.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T141500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T154500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T141330Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T202307Z
UID:10000103-1773929700-1773935100@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Implementation of Routine Opt-Out HIV Testing across the University of California-San Diego Health Systems
DESCRIPTION:In 2006\, the CDC shared revised guidance recommending HIV testing be provided to individuals 13-64 years of age\, regardless of risk\, in all health-care settings unless patients opt out of the service. This approach\, known as Routine Opt-Out HIV Testing (ROOT)\, is key in identifying persons with undiagnosed HIV\, persons previously testing positive but not engaged in HIV care or virally suppressed\, and persons testing negative that could be referred to preventative services. \nAlthough ROOT has contributed to increased HIV testing across the United States\, wide-scale implementation across San Diego County has been slow. As part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative (EHE)\, the County of San Diego partnered with the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) to implement a systems-level strategy to integrate ROOT activities across multiple UCSD departments. ROOT was first implemented at UCSD’s Children’s Emergency Department\, Student Health Services\, and Urgent Care\, with Internal Medicine\, Family Medicine\, and Obstetrics and Gynecology outpatient settings added in the second half of the year. \nIn the first year of the program\, 11\,766 HIV screening tests were completed\, yielding four new HIV infections in which patients were linked to care within two weeks. Successful implementation of this project required large-scale operational changes\, increased inter-departmental communication\, and buy-in from department champions spearheading efforts with front-line staff. Lessons from this implementation can be used to support other agencies in increasing ROOT efforts\, leading to increased detection of HIV infections\, timely access to care\, reduced transmission\, and progress made towards meeting local EHE goals.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/implementation-of-routine-opt-out-hiv-testing-across-the-university-of-california-san-diego-health-systems/
LOCATION:Studio F
CATEGORIES:Power of Prevention,Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVPrevention.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T171624Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T181103Z
UID:10000172-1773917100-1773922500@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Inaugural Year Highlights from the Harm Reduction Services Program: San Diego County’s First Government-Run Syringe Service Program
DESCRIPTION:In April 2024\, San Diego County launched its Harm Reduction Services Program (HRSP)\, the region’s first government-run syringe service initiative. Designed to address the intersecting crises of overdose\, HIV\, and hepatitis C among people who use drugs\, HRSP operates through a mobile delivery model\, providing low-barrier\, stigma-free services in underserved communities identified through a comprehensive Community Readiness Assessment. Services provided include sterile syringe access and disposal\, safer sex and smoking supplies\, naloxone distribution and education\, fentanyl and xylazine test strips\, HIV and hepatitis C testing and linkage to care\, basic medical consults\, and connection with housing\, transportation\, mental health\, and substance use treatment services. \nIn alignment with harm reduction principles\, HRSP does not require any formal identification and prioritizes meeting participants where they’re at\, with dignity and respect. In its first year\, HRSP reached 618 unique participants and facilitated 1\,823 program visits. Nearly 75% of program participants are unhoused\, underscoring the importance of the program’s personal care supplies. Notably\, in 63% of program visits\, participants reported collecting supplies for others in addition to themselves\, highlighting HRSP’s extended reach into the community. Over the course of the year\, a total of 2\,305 boxes of naloxone were dispensed\, and 517 overdose reversals were reported by program participants. These early outcomes reflect both the program’s meaningful impact and its success in building trust within the community. As HRSP enters its second year\, the program continues to grow while remaining grounded in its commitment to providing compassionate\, person-centered care for San Diego County residents.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/inaugural-year-highlights-from-the-harm-reduction-services-program-san-diego-countys-first-government-run-syringe-service-program/
LOCATION:Potomac B
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-DrugUserHealth.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260319T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T171503Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T154534Z
UID:10000171-1773917100-1773922500@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Harm Reduction: Getting It Right
DESCRIPTION:What is harm reduction\, really? Is it voting? Is it seat belts? Is it naloxone? While public health often treats harm reduction as a list of tools or strategies\, this session invites us to dig deeper\, into the philosophy\, politics\, and contradictions of harm itself. We’ll ask: Is harm inherent\, or is it produced? What are the social\, structural\, and emotional conditions that create or intensify harm? Who decides what harm is\, and who is forced to experience it? \nThis conversation centers harm reduction not as a checklist\, but as a justice-rooted framework\, a commitment to dignity\, autonomy\, and survival in a world that often withholds those things. We’ll explore how harm is exacerbated by systems of criminalization\, medical neglect\, stigma\, and control\, especially for people who use drugs\, sell sex\, live with chronic illness\, or navigate poverty\, racism\, and ableism. We’ll interrogate how harm reduction gets watered down\, co-opted\, or professionalized into meaninglessness\, and what it means to reclaim it as a radical\, liberatory practice. \nThrough discussion\, storytelling\, and collective inquiry\, we’ll challenge dominant narratives and get to the root: not just how to reduce harm\, but how to understand where it comes from\, who it impacts\, and what it would take to truly transform the conditions that produce it. \nThis session is for public health workers\, care providers\, organizers\, and community members who want to get real about harm\, and get it right.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/harm-reduction-getting-it-right/
LOCATION:Studio C
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-DrugUserHealth.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260318T173000
DTSTAMP:20260524T014002
CREATED:20260120T165023Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T151924Z
UID:10000160-1773849600-1773855000@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Research to Practice to Capacity Building: Implementing Partner Treatment for Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) in a Public Sexual Health Clinic
DESCRIPTION:Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of vaginal discharge worldwide and is associated with significant stigma\, health care utilization and antibiotic use. Recurrence rates exceed 50% within 6 months in most studies. Until recently data supporting partner treatment to prevent BV recurrence were lacking; however\, a recent clinical trial showed a clear preventive benefit from the concomitant treatment of cis-gender male partners (with oral plus topical antibiotics) of individuals with BV\, with a more than 60% reduction in BV recurrences. This presentation will outline the current understanding of BV as a dysbiosis\, the role of sexual transmission in pathogenesis\, and the recent findings of the Australian StepUp* Trial. Practical suggestions will be offered regarding designing and implementing a policy to provide partner therapy for BV in clinical settings in the United States based on the experience at a walk in public Sexual Health Clinic. Essential components include the need for clinician and staff education given the major change in health messaging regarding the role of sexual transmission in the pathogenesis of BV\, and the practical difficulties related largely asynchronous visits of patients and partners who seek health care in different places\, difficulties with pharmacy instructions\, and the myriad of clinical scenarios that arise which were not addressed in the StepUp trial given strict inclusion/exclusion criteria.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/research-to-practice-to-capacity-building-implementing-partner-treatment-for-bacterial-vaginosis-bv-in-a-public-sexual-health-clinic/
LOCATION:Studio C
CATEGORIES:Track Session
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