WEDNESDAY, MARCH 18
THURSDAY, MARCH 19
This schedule is preliminary and subject to change.
Sessions
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The San Francisco Principles 2020: Centering Long-Term HIV Survivors in Research, Care, and Advocacy
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.
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Bridging the Gap Between Medical and Homeless Services through Patient Navigation: The NYU Langone Community Medicine Program Model
In 2023, 1,686 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in New York City, with Brooklyn reporting the highest rate and 19% concurrent AIDS diagnoses. To address these disparities, the NYU Langone Family Health Centers’ Community Medicine Program (CMP)—a collaboration with the NYC shelter system—integrated medical services directly within shelters to improve outcomes among unstably housed individuals. After piloting a part-time patient navigator to support HIV-positive patients with linkage and retention in care, the program demonstrated early success and secured a grant in December 2024 to expand into a status-neutral navigation model.
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Disco to Tech: Interracial Encounters, Intergenerational Desire, and the Disclosure Dilemma
What happens when wisdom meets innovation, and lived experience meets digital fluency? This dynamic, intergenerational and interracial session explores how people across decades and racial identities navigate dating, disclosure, and desire in the age of PrEP, U=U, and mobile technology.
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Critical Thinking and Cultural Affirmation (CTCA) Intervention
This session explores how CTCA blends peer-led support, expressive arts, cultural rituals, and critical consciousness to foster emotional wellness, increase HIV care retention, and support prevention. Participants will engage with evidence-based strategies and real-world examples demonstrating CTCA’s success in improving health outcomes while affirming identity and restoring community connection.
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Lived Experiences of Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Washington, DC: Survival and Seroadaptation
Understanding 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.
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Getting Spicy: Sex Positivity for Older Adults Living with HIV
This session will explore what it means to communicate with a sex positive lens with older adults living with HIV, with particular attention to language, imagery, and a cross-generational understanding of sexuality. We will then apply those skills and develop some ideas for outreach and communication geared towards the priority population of the attendees.
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The Future is Gray and Gay: Building Inclusive HIV Systems for LGBTQ+ Older Adults
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.
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Community Mental Health Project
In collaboration with Columbia Psychiatry and New York Public Library, the community mental health project was created to address the impact of mental health on the Black and Afro-Latino communities in NYC, especially during and right after the COVID-19 pandemic. The intervention aims to engage the community in discussion around mental health and thus minimize stigma and advocate for innovative strategies to increase the utilization of mental health services within the community.
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Hartford Employment Initiative: Addressing Critical Employment Gaps for Persons Living with HIV (PLWH)
The employment landscape for PLWH in the Hartford Transitional Grant Area (TGA) presents significant challenges. According to the 2022 Statewide Needs Assessment Survey, 54.46% of PLWH were unemployed, with 59.46% unemployment within the TGA. Among respondents, 78% of individuals over 50 lacked access to career and life skills training, limiting their ability to secure stable, fulfilling employment.
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Language Justice and Accessibility: Navigating Services for Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deafblind People Living with HIV
This session will provide an overview of how Deaf Community Advocacy Network (Deaf C.A.N.!) Deaf HIV Program addresses the unique challenges of PWLH who are Deaf, Deafblind, and Hard of Hearing navigating Ryan White Services. Through provider assessments and cultural competency training, client assessments and workshops to improve health literacy on HIV prevention and HIV treatment, and workshops for interpreters to increase their understanding of ever growing HIV terminology such as viral load suppression and U=U, Deaf C.A.N.! has expanded their case management services from 7 counties in the Detroit Metropolitan Area to the entire state of Michigan, increased partnerships, and improved client satisfaction
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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.
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.
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Community at the Core: Building Trust and Linkage to HIV/STI Care Among Marginalized Populations in the Memphis TGA
This presentation explores replicable models of syndemic prevention in underserved Southern communities.
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Impact of a Multidisciplinary Healthcare Program on Healthcare Engagement of Young Adults Living with HIV
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience significant challenges with healthcare engagement. This population experiences lower rates of retention in care compared to their adult counterparts, resulting in poor adherence to antiretroviral therapy, higher viral load, and lower CD4 counts that negatively impact their health.
This study explored how involvement with a multidisciplinary healthcare team impacts healthcare engagement and identified facilitators and barriers to retention of care from the perspectives of AYA living with HIV.
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Understanding the Sociocultural Context of HIV Outcomes for Transgender Women of Color Age 50+: A Secondary Analysis of the Transgender Women of Color Initiative Evaluation and Technical Assistance Center (TETAC) Dataset
Recent data from the U.S estimated that over half (57%) of transgender women (TW), aged 50+, are living with HIV. Findings lacked analysis by age, gender, and race/ethnicity, but found 62% HIV prevalence among Black trans women, suggesting potential HIV disparities for older TW of color. This study focused on HIV outcomes and health services access for TW aged 50 and older, making important contributions to the context of care for this population sub-group, who shoulder disproportionately high HIV prevalence. Findings highlight the critical role of support services in HIV care engagement and the potential for expanded access and intergenerational peer support programs to ameliorate HIV-related disparities based on age and race.
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Using Community Health Workers to Overcome Obstacles to Care Engagement as a Southern CBO
In this session, participants will learn about the core elements of a community -based syndemic approach to HIV care engagement to enhance capacity to support PLWH throughout the HIV care continuum. This workshop will demonstrate how community health workers improve involvement in comprehensive prevention services.
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An Emerging Model for Advancing HIV Equity Across Marginalized Populations
This interactive session will explore a novel, community-anchored model developed by the Midwest D-CFAR Scientific Working Group to engage historically underrepresented populations in HIV research and service delivery—specifically Black-led organizations, rural communities, individuals impacted by homelessness, harm reduction practitioners, and direct service providers.
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Patient-Reported Outcomes in Clinical Trials Assessing the Effectiveness of Cabotegravir + Rilpivirine Long-Acting Injections as Antiretroviral Therapy: A Systematic Review
This systematic review explores the role of CAB + RPV-LA injectables in antiretroviral therapy (ART), with a focus on patient-reported outcomes from five key clinical trials.
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Testing and Treatment Services for HIV, STIs, and Hepatitis C at Substance Use Treatment Facilities Serving Clients in the Ending the HIV Epidemic Priority Jurisdictions of the U.S.
This session presents data from the National Substance Use and Mental Health Services Survey (2023) conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to present the current state of availability of testing and treatment services for HIV, HCV, and STIs.
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Understanding Social Drivers of Health among People Living with HIV with Unsuppressed Viral Loads Visiting the Emergency Department
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.
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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
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.
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Justice Is the Intervention: Redesigning Harm Reduction within Black Communities
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.
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Aging Adolescents and Young Adults with HIV: Navigating the Second Transition in HIV Care
Having previously reported on clinical outcomes of Adolescents and Young Adults with HIV (AYAHIV) in the Accessing Care Early (ACE) young adult transition program, we present an update, detailing the design and implementation of this multi-dimensional program, the innovations in biomedical and care delivery interventions, as well as programmatic challenges and opportunities as we evolve into a mature transition program. This workshop will use didactics and interactive presentation, case-study, transparent panel discussion and Q&A as participants engage with the ACE program’s multidisciplinary team, including an YAHIV who “came of age” in the program.
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HIV and Cognitive Decline: The Power of Partnership
As people living with HIV (PLWH) age, cognitive decline presents a growing yet underaddressed challenge. This presentation highlights an innovative collaboration between The Grand Rapids Red Project (TGRRP) and the Alzheimer’s Association Michigan Chapter (AAMC) to implement routine cognitive screenings within TGRRP’s HIV care programs. The initiative targets PLWH aged 44+ and those exhibiting overt cognitive impairment, aiming to bridge gaps in care complexity for aging populations.
In this presentation, AAMC will review national trends in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) and statewide efforts to develop programming for aging PLWH through partnerships with community-based organizations (CBOs). With AAMC’s support, TGRRP designed an HIV and aging pilot program featuring tailored screening tools, staff training, and referral pathways—offering replicable strategies for similar programs.
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HIV and Cognitive Decline: Understanding HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder
With advancements in HIV treatment, individuals living with HIV are now living longer, By 2030, 70% of people living with HIV (PLWH) will be ages 50 and older. But, as PLWH age they face unique challenges, particularly with cognitive health. One major concern is HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND), a form of cognitive decline more common among PLWH. This presentation will provide a brief overview of HIV care; the signs and risk factors for HAND; similarities and differences between HAND and Alzheimer's disease; and why accurately diagnosing cognitive change in PLWH is so important.
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.