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DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014102
CREATED:20260120T191920Z
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UID:10000203-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:The San Francisco Principles 2020: Centering Long-Term HIV Survivors in Research\, Care\, and Advocacy
DESCRIPTION:The San Francisco Principles 2020 builds on the 1983 Denver Principles to highlight the critical needs of long-term HIV/AIDS survivors (LTS) as they age with HIV. This important statement brings attention to the linked problems of aging\, unfair health access\, and how systems often ignore marginalized people within the LTS community. \nMany LTS individuals experience faster physical and mental decline. This is often made worse by poverty\, ongoing stigma\, and very limited access to good healthcare. Even though they have contributed so much to our understanding of HIV/AIDS and are dedicated advocates\, their experiences are too often ignored in important research and policy decisions. \nTo address these serious concerns\, the San Francisco Principles ask for specialized elder care designed for LTS survivors\, as well as easy-to-access mental health services that truly understand their deep and often difficult experiences. \nA key part of the Principles is to get more LTS survivors involved in all decision-making. This makes sure that resources are not only fair but also truly meet their needs. The San Francisco Principles promote a unified effort\, connecting the challenges of HIV/AIDS survivors with larger social justice movements. This strong partnership aims to break down unfair system differences and strongly promote health equity for everyone\, especially people of color and those living with HIV/AIDS.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/the-san-francisco-principles-2020-centering-long-term-hiv-survivors-in-research-care-and-advocacy/
LOCATION:Studio F
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:20260524T014102
CREATED:20260120T185546Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T180409Z
UID:10000191-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Understanding Social Drivers of Health among People Living with HIV with Unsuppressed Viral Loads Visiting the Emergency Department
DESCRIPTION:Despite the wide availability of antiretroviral therapy (ART) as an effective treatment option for HIV\, a substantial portion of people with HIV (PWH) in the United States remain out of care or inconsistently take their medications\, leading to an unsuppressed viral load despite diagnosis—a critical gap that undermines both individual health outcomes and public health objectives. \nThe factors that contribute to sub-optimal care engagement and frequent emergency department (ED) utilization may overlap. However\, little is known about ED utilization patterns and social drivers of health (SDOH) among PWH who are sub-optimally engaged. In this study we examined ED visits among PWH with an unsuppressed viral load over a two-year period from January 1\, 2021\, to December 31\, 2023\, at a large\, urban\, academic ED. Among 198 PWH who were not virally suppressed\, we found that almost half (45%) reported unstable housing or homelessness\, 41% had a psychiatric diagnosis\, and 64% reported using one or more substances. The average number of ED visits per individual during the study period was 7 and the median was 4 visits. Using a multivariate linear regression model\, we found that housing instability\, younger age\, history of schizophrenia\, total number of comorbidities and substance use were positively associated with higher ED utilization. \nUnderstanding patterns of ED utilization among sub-optimally engaged PWH and SDOH affecting them will provide a foundation to create targeted interventions to improve the linkage of these individuals to care and to achieve sustained viral suppression.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/understanding-social-drivers-of-health-among-people-living-with-hiv-with-unsuppressed-viral-loads-visiting-the-emergency-department/
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:20260320T104500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260320T121500
DTSTAMP:20260524T014102
CREATED:20260120T144314Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260225T175256Z
UID:10000113-1774003500-1774008900@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Justice Is the Intervention: Redesigning Harm Reduction within Black Communities
DESCRIPTION:The decline in drug-related fatalities in New Jersey over the past three years reflects progress in harm reduction\, yet racial disparities remain stark. Black and Hispanic communities continue to face disproportionate rates of drug-related deaths—51.4 and 38.9 per 100\,000\, respectively—compared to white residents. The Black Lives Matter Paterson Harm Reduction Center and Mobile Unit provides resources\, care\, and support to neglected populations through culturally responsive\, Black-centered mobile outreach. \nHarm reduction is not enabling. It meets marginalized people where they are\, gives those who use substances a touch point with the healthcare system\, reduces costs (from HIV\, Hep C\, OD)\, and leads to referrals to treatment when they are ready. The BLM Harm Reduction Center conducted pre-intervention surveys to measure the baseline access\, usage\, and viewpoints of individuals new to or unaware of the resources. A follow-up data collection survey was conducted after 6 months of the pre-survey to evaluate any changes in data and the program’s effectiveness by June 2025. \nThis approach demonstrates the critical role of direct and health justice-driven mobile harm reduction as both a community message and method to health equity. By focusing on culturally responsive\, people-focused\, and dignifying care\, this work reaches broader implications for serving disadvantaged communities in public health\, more specifically\, the intersectionality between HIV/STI prevention\, drug user health\, and recovery care.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/justice-is-the-intervention-redesigning-harm-reduction-within-black-communities/
LOCATION:Studio F
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:20260524T014102
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:20260524T014102
CREATED:20260119T192036Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260307T202138Z
UID:10000091-1773929700-1773935100@syncconference.org
SUMMARY:Lived Experiences of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Washington\, DC: Survival and Seroadaptation
DESCRIPTION:Seroadaptation refers to sexual harm reduction/HIV prevention strategies that primarily involve 1) serosorting (selecting sex partners based on HIV status)\, and 2) seropositioning (choosing sexual positions to mitigate HIV exposure). While used across populations\, the term\, “seroadaptation\,” was developed with white gay men and may not apply to historically marginalized populations like Black men who have sex with men (BMSM) (which here encompasses Black gay and bisexual men and Black trans women). \nUnderstanding how BMSM\, who represent less than 1% of the U.S. population\, but account for over one-third of new HIV infections annually\, practice seroadaptation can inform new interventions to improve their engagement in HIV services. To this end\, we conducted a qualitative study (called the “PhotoUStudy”)\, which was guided by a conceptual model\, the BMSM Intersectional Identity Framework Over the Life Course (BMSM Identity Framework). Thirty-six BMSM who lived in/accessed health services in Washington\, D.C.\, aged 18-65\, were recruited into a five-day photovoice activity and follow-up interview. Using NVivo\, participant photos and transcripts were analyzed. Findings indicated that BMSM sexual harm reduction focused on condom use and HIV testing\, and was considered a small\, though important\, part of health practice focused on physical safety and social support. Younger BMSM reported greater access to larger support networks; older BMSM had smaller social circles and poorer health. Few participants were familiar with PrEP or U=U. More research is needed; however\, BMSM HIV interventions may be best couched in discussions of overall health and safety\, such as self-defense.
URL:https://syncconference.org/agenda/lived-experiences-of-black-men-who-have-sex-with-men-in-washington-dc-survival-and-seroadaptation/
LOCATION:Potomac B
CATEGORIES:Track Session
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://syncconference.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/TrackHero-HIVCareTreatment.jpg
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