Despite significant progress towards ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic, this infectious disease continues to affect millions of Americans every year. In 2017, a number of HIV/AIDS conferences will unite social workers, researchers, academics and health care providers. From broad public health meetings to gatherings specifically for HIV/AIDS social workers, the 2017 conference schedule has options for everyone.
The American Public Health Association’s (APHA) Annual Meeting
If you’re a public health worker, student or official, the APHA meeting is a must-visit event. More than 10,000 members of the public health community attend every year to see cutting-edge technology, share yet-to-be-published research results and reinvigorate their own work. In 2017, the APHA will meet in Atlanta, Georgia from November 4-8. If you visit, be sure to set aside time to tour the David J. Sencer Museum at the Centers for Disease Control to learn more about the CDC’s work with HIV/AIDS.
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The 29th Annual National Conference on Social Work and HIV/AIDS
Social workers are important allies in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and this conference recognizes their contributions to the field. It draws together social workers from hospitals, universities and community-based clinics to share best practices in case management, mental health counseling and care coordination. In 2017, the conference will be held in Atlanta, GA, from May 25 to May 28. Professionals from non-social work backgrounds are encouraged to attend to advance interdisciplinary collaboration.
2017 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI)
HIV was first detected because of Kaposi sarcoma, an opportunistic cancer that unexpectedly appeared among young men in Los Angeles. Since then, researchers and medical professionals have focused on diseases that appear alongside HIV/AIDS and how to contain them. This Seattle, WA, conference, held from February 13 to February 16, 2017, will concentrate on HIV/AIDS and its associated infections. You can earn continuing medical education (CME) credits while learning from leaders in the field or simply visit the hundreds of poster presentations and research talks.
Infectious Disease Society of America
Although this conference does not focus specifically on HIV/AIDS, it is a great opportunity for learning about disease management for infectious disease in general. Held in beautiful San Diego, California, from October 4-8, it’s a chance to meet providers, academics and case managers. You will learn new techniques for motivating patients to follow treatment regiments, organizing files and seeking reimbursement for care. Plus, you’ll get access to CME, CPE and MOC credits as well as a large vendor’s hall full of new technologies for managing infectious diseases.
Synchronicity Conference
The LGBTQ+ community has been particularly hard hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Synchronicity is a meeting designed for members of this community and those who work with them. The fourth annual conference will take place from April 24 through April 25 in Arlington, VA, so numerous federal government and D.C.-based non-profit organizations will be represented. Specific tracks will focus on communities of color, LGBTQ+ communities and the integration of public health and primary care. After traveling to Virginia, you can join the 6-month webinar series from March until September 2017 and continue to grow your contacts in the HIV/AIDS treatment world.
HIV/AIDS conferences are taking place across the country, so there should be at least one close to your location in 2017. Given the multidisciplinary approach required to successfully manage HIV/AIDS care, don’t limit yourself to meetings specific to your particular profession. Instead, seek out new opportunities and connections so you can deliver the best possible interventions to clients.
