Presentation Tracks


Presentation Tracks

The 2024 Summit Program Committee is excited to review abstract submissions and curate a truly impeccable curriculum.

Submission Deadline: Monday, January 29, 2024

Alcohol and Drug use

People who abuse alcohol and other drugs are an essential population to target for HIV prevention because they are more likely to engage in sexual behaviors that increase their likelihood of acquiring or transmitting HIV. This track looks for workshops that present a variety of community or researcher-led biomedical approaches to HIV prevention evaluated or currently under study. These include HIV vaccines, biomedical and barrier methods, such as controlling sexually transmitted diseases, male circumcision, diaphragm use, and substance abuse treatment. In summary, this track looks for workshops addressing the intersections of HIV biomedical treatment and prevention, long-acting injection, oral and substance abuse treatment, and community and research institutions.

Epidemiology of Biomedical HIV Prevention

In 1984, a large prospective study of the natural history of human immunodeficiency virus infection, the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), was established; 10 years later, the Women’s Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) (pronounced like “wise”) was launched. HIV epidemiology in the United States has transformed over the lives of these studies, and this evolution has influenced planning for enrollment and follow-up. By embracing foundational principles with modern methods, the epidemiologic approach of analyzing the causes and distributions of diseases in contemporaneous populations will continue to advance HIV science over the next decade. This track looks for workshops that exemplify the three major domains that are central to epidemiologic science:

  • changes to key populations at highest risk for HIV,
  • refinements in measurement and shifts in the outcomes of interest,
  • and new tools and approaches that epidemiologists use to synthesize evidence from population measurements.

Psychosocial frameworks for improved uptake

Biomedical HIV-prevention strategies among men who have sex with men, such as pre-post exposure prophylaxis and viral load sorting, are essential, but uptake is gradual. The 2022 numbers for PrEP uptake continue to show substantial disparities among the groups most likely to benefit from PrEP. While the preliminary data show improvement in PrEP prescriptions among all racial/ethnic groups from 2019 to 2022, the reach of this strategy is far from equal, and severe and widening inequities persist. Estimates suggest 94% of White people who could benefit from PrEP have been prescribed it, but only 13% of Black and 24% of Hispanic/Latino people who could benefit have been prescribed PrEP. Research shows that biomedical HIV prevention success not only depends on access and the willingness to take a daily pill or a bi-monthly injection but also on overcoming psycho and socio-economic obstacles primarily affecting gay men of color. This track looks for community and research institution-led workshops on studying and utilizing psycho and socio-economic frameworks to improve biomedical HIV prevention uptake among Gay and Bisexual Men of Color in the US, Puerto Rico, and other territories.

Community mobilization and Advocacy strategies

To successfully implement biomedical HIV prevention, it is essential to mobilize all communities impacted and at risk of HIV infection. Community mobilization and evidence-based advocacy strategies are critical in putting the interests of its members to the forefront. Civil disobedience, community organizing, and advocacy for fair policies and funding have proven effective in promoting change. This track looks for workshops that display advocacy strategies, specifically those impacting biomedical HIV prevention access.

Behavioral and Biomedical Prevention Strategies

Around 2.5 million people become infected with HIV each year. The HIV field will only reverse this extraordinary toll on human life and public health worldwide with effective prevention. What’s more, in the next few years, it is likely, at least, that no single prevention strategy will be sufficient to contain the spread of the disease. There is a need for combination prevention as there is for combination treatment, including biomedical, behavioral, and structural interventions. Expanded HIV prevention must be grounded in systematically analyzing the epidemic’s dynamics in local contexts. Although 85% of HIV is transmitted sexually, effective combinations of prevention have been shown for people who inject drugs. Combination prevention should be based on scientifically derived evidence, with input and engagement from local communities that foster the successful integration of care and treatment. This track looks for workshops showcasing combination-prevention-based programs and interventions that have proven effective in preventing HIV infections.

Transgender and non-conforming

There is little information about the use of current biomedical HIV prevention methods on transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) people, especially people of color. However, according to the CDC, HIV prevalence rates among trans women of color are exceptionally high. More than half of all new transmissions among women and men of trans experience are African American. This track focuses on TGNC people of color and biomedical prevention interventions. The track will also discuss the barriers and facilitators for implementing programs among communities of TGNC experience.

Prevention for Gay and Bi MOC

There is little information about current biomedical HIV prevention methods for Gay and bisexual men of color. However, according to the CDC, they comprise a high percentage of the new cases reported in the United States for 2020. This track focuses on the experience of Gay and Bisexual Men of Color and biomedical HIV prevention. The track will also discuss the barriers and facilitators for implementing programs and access to biomedical HIV prevention modalities in African American, Latinx, Native American, Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander populations.

Translation and Implementation Research

Implementation science is the scientific study of methods to promote the integration of research findings and evidence-based interventions into healthcare policy and practice and, hence, to improve the quality and effectiveness of health services and care. Implementation science is distinguished from monitoring and evaluation by emphasizing the scientific method. Today, implementation science encompasses strategies and skills, including decision science and operations research, health systems research, health outcomes research, health and behavioral economics, epidemiology, statistics, organization and management science, finance, policy analysis, anthropology, sociology, and ethics. This track looks for workshops on successful and evidence-based HIV implementation interventions, evaluation, and research.

Community participation in research

This track will discuss practical strategies for making HIV biomedical prevention research more reflective of the communities most vulnerable to new HIV transmissions. In addition to sharing effective methods for diversifying HIV research, this track will focus on how CAP/CAB organizers can ensure meaningful community participation, especially queer, non-binary, transgender, and bisexual people of color.

Prevención biomédica para personas hispanoparlantes

Nota: Solo se aceptarán propuestas escritas en español.

Note: Only abstracts written in Spanish will be accepted.

El acceso de las comunidades hispanoparlantes a los avances de prevención biomédica del VIH, depende del acceso que estas poseen a los determinantes sociales de la salud, la información y al cuidado médico. Es por eso que hemos diseñado esta área temática en español. En este espacio se discutirán avances en las modalidades de PrEP y tratamiento, las barreras para accederlos y el rol de la comunidad y las organizaciones de base comunitaria en cerrar esta brecha. También se busca profundizar en el efecto desproporcional de la epidemia en personas latinas, y el impacto del racismo y el estatus migratorio.

Women

This track seeks submissions by researchers, healthcare professionals, community leaders, and advocates to submit abstracts that contribute to the dialogue around women’s involvement in biomedical HIV prevention. This track seeks abstracts including but not limited to: Presentations on Women-Centered prevention approaches that delve into innovative interventions designed specifically for women, acknowledging the unique challenges they face in the context of HIV prevention. Abstracts showcasing the latest advancements in biomedical technologies and their impact on preventing HIV in women. This may include research on microbicides, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and other emerging technologies. Discussions on community-led initiatives that empower women to actively participate in and shape HIV prevention strategies. Abstracts should highlight successful community engagement models and their outcomes. Research exploring the intersectionality of gender with other social determinants of health to better understand and address the vulnerabilities faced by diverse groups of women. Abstracts focusing on the impact of policy and advocacy efforts in promoting women’s access to and uptake of biomedical HIV prevention methods. This may include discussions on policy gaps, successes, and areas for improvement. Insights into the real-world implementation of biomedical HIV prevention interventions for women, including challenges faced and lessons learned.

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