SYNC2022 was held virtually December 6–8, 2022.
Conference Guide
The digital Conference Guide is available in PDF or ePUB/eBook format.
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Credits are only awarded for session attendance at the live conference. Credits are not available for post-conference recordings.
Plenary 1
SYNCing Syndemic Approaches Across Government Agencies
This session will explore how government agencies collaborate and innovate to address the epidemics of HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, MPXV, and substance use disorders. Adapting to the ever-changing landscape has created barriers and sparked innovation within agencies, programs, and the public health workforce. Government agencies are forced to adapt in order to effectively address the priorities of emerging viruses, new epidemiology data, and health access disparities. The session focuses on how government agencies are taking a syndemic approach, and highlights how synchronizing strategies can impact epidemics and pandemics.
Learning Objectives
- Describe how federal agencies are implementing a syndemic approach to addressing epidemics of HIV, STIs, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, MPXV, and substance use disorders.
- Identify ways in which federal health agencies are employing innovative solutions-focused approaches across the epidemics of HIV, viral Hepatitis, STIs, and opioids.
- Explain the effect of mitigating the impact that COVID-19 has had on community health services and health equity.
Speakers
- Marissa Tonelli, HealthHIV
- Dr. Jonathan Mermin, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and Incident Manager, Mpox Response
- Dr. Leandro Mena, Division of STD Prevention, CDC National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention
- Laura Cheever, HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB), Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
- Ernia Hughes, Office of Health Center Investment Oversight, Health Resources and Services Administration
Plenary 2
SYNCing Community Voices and Multi-Dimensional Responses to Competing and Complex Epidemics
This plenary brings together various community-based organizations from across the country to discuss how new responses are needed in the “new world” we live in. This “new world” has impacted various populations such as Black women, members of the Latinx community, gay and bisexual men, and Transgender persons and how new responses are needed.
Learning Objectives
- Describe the impact of living in a syndemic environment among various populations
- Describe how organizations have pivoted to meet the needs of clients in a syndemic environment.
- Describe the current landscape of programming that integrates multiple responses in a syndemic environment.
- Identify national and local prevention activities.
- Describe best practices that address programming in a hybrid environment.
Speakers
- Ken Pettigrew, HealthHIV
- Tori Cooper, Human Rights Campaign
- Manuel Diaz-Ramirez, La Clinica Del Pueblo
- Antonio Driver, Speakout USA
- Amber Tejada, Hepatitis Education Project
- Dr. Mauda Monger, My Brother’s Keeper
Plenary 3
SYNCing on a National PrEP Program through Community Advocacy and Innovation
Leveraging and aligning community involvement as a way to drive collaborative public health responses is vital to meaningfully address social determinants of health. And while today’s breakthroughs in several arenas have improved health care delivery and patient outcomes for many, we need community advocacy to capitalize on the science that sustains our health, including HIV prevention science. This session takes a critical look at innovative ways communities act as public health force-multipliers, through the creation of and advocacy for a National Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) Program that would increase equity and accessibility to this revolutionary HIV prevention tool.
Learning Objectives
- Identify the key components of a national PrEP program
- Understand the impact of HIV prevention efforts for the black community
- Understand the federal policies impacting PrEP access, including medication and lab coverage
- Understand systems that work for undocumented community members
- Identify ways to center equity in the design, implementation, and evaluation of a national PrEP program
Speakers
- Brian Hujdich, HealthHIV
- Jeremiah Johnson, PrEP4All
- Amy Killelea, Killelea Consulting
- Michael Chancley, PrEP4All
- Guillermo Chacon, Latino Commission on AIDS
- Raniyah Copeland, Equity & Impact Solutions
Plenary 4
SYNCing Resources and Action to Address the Socioeconomic Determinants of Syndemics and Epidemics
Research has long shown that epidemics and syndemics, including HIV, hepatitis C, sexually-transmitted infections, MPV, and COVID-19, disparately impact underserved, disenfranchised groups. These populations, which encompass racial and ethnic minorities, sexual and gender-diverse persons, substance users, and others, represent historically underserved populations. These groups often experience limited access to basic resources, including housing, food, housing, employment, and education, compounded by the stress associated with overlapping stigmas, such as racism, HIV stigma, and homophobia. Mitigating the impact of epidemics and syndemics requires a synchronized, syndemic approach that facilitates coordination, collaboration, investment, and innovation across local, state, and federal partners. Detailing the complex, intersectional social, political, and economic forces driving epidemics and syndemics in underserved communities is key to mitigating and ultimately eliminating them.
Speakers will describe how their agencies sync resources, including staff, funding, and knowledge, with Federal, state, and local stakeholders to address epidemics and syndemics — specifically those systemic and structural factors that undermine engagement, access, and use of clinical, behavioral, and support services. In addition, they will detail their current work to support and expand current evidence-based services and interventions that break down organizational silos and maximize impact on the social determinants of health.
Learning Objectives
- Discuss the disparate impact of epidemics and syndemics (notably HIV, hepatitis C, sexually-transmitted infections, MPV, COVID-19, and substance use) on underserved populations.
- Describe a synchronized syndemic approach to mitigating and ultimately eliminating syndemics and pandemics.
- Detail how organizations are syncing resources with Federal, state, and community-based partners to address the determinants of health and mitigate the impacts of syndemics and pandemics in marginalized communities.
Speakers
- Dr. Circe J. Gray Le Compte, HealthHIV and Columbia University/New York State Psychiatric Institute
- Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, White House National Monkeypox Response Deputy Coordinator, and Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Jo Valentine, Division of STD Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Daemon Donigan, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, HIV Prevention Capacity Building Assistance
Plenary 5
SYNCing Strategies for Improving Black Women’s Health
In Remembrance: Panelists will open the session by recognizing and paying tribute to Janet Cleveland, Barbara Joseph and Dawn Smith.
This session will begin by honoring three trail blazers in the HIV field. Their legacies have had a significant impact on Black women’s health and lives. Black women in the U.S. are disproportionately impacted by HIV and STIs. Identifying strategies that synchronize the state of HIV prevention with tools that engage and develop skills for communities and providers will positively impact Black women’s health.
Learning Objectives
- Explain the state of HIV prevention for Black women in the U.S.
- Identify training and educational opportunities that support Black women’s health.
- Identify the barriers and approaches to increase PrEP use among Black women.
Speakers
- Dr. Melissa Kelley, HealthHIV
- Deborah Levine, The National Black Women’s HIV/AIDS Network
- Capt. Robyn Neblett Fanfair, National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, & TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Rhondette Jones Nickson, Division of HIV Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Leisha McKinley-Beach, Platinum Level Production
