Though tremendous progress has been made toward ending the HIV epidemic, we still have a very long way to go to achieve the UNAIDS goal of ending the epidemic by 2030. In fact, our director Dr. Nabila El-Bassel wrote about this very issue here, in an article entitled “The HIV/AIDS Crisis Will Not End Unless We Take These Five Steps by 2030.”

Historically (and currently), the HIV landscape has been borne out of politics, culture, and systems of inequity. Certain populations continue to carry the disproportionate brunt of HIV infection and its consequences. Come see how global leaders in HIV research identify key steps to find a way forward to end the epidemic.

For World AIDS Day, to explore the above and honor of all of those who have suffered and lost their lives from HIV/AIDS, we are hosting game-changing scientists in the field on November 30th for our event, “Political, Social, and Structural Forces Driving the HIV Epidemic.”

When: Thursday, November 30th at 4:30 pm. Register here.
Where: The event will be held at the Columbia University School of Social Work. See the flyer for details.

We are pleased to be hosting so many amazing speakers. Dr. Nabila El-Bassel, our Director here at SIG, will be opening our event. BIO.

Dr. Nabila El-Bassel, Director of the Social Intervention Group (SIG)

Dr. Gina Winwood will discuss how religion and social capital factor into HIV prevention for African American women. BIO.

Dr. Gina Wingood, Professor Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health

Dr. Susan Sherman will explore how police influence HIV risk of street-based sex workers in Baltimore. BIO.

Dr. Susan Sherman, Professor Johns Hopkins University, Bloomberg School of Pubic Health, Behavior and Society

Dr. Kim Blankenship presents on HIV in our criminal justice system at a time of mass incarceration. BIO.

Dr. Kim M. Blankenship, Professor American University, Department of Sociology

Dr. Judith Auerbach will explore the path toward “getting to zero.” BIO.

Dr. Judith Auerbach, Professor University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Join us to hear cutting-edge research developments from these fantastic speakers. Following the official event, a reception and award ceremony will be held to celebrate the achievements of the Global Health Research Center of Central Asia (GHRCCA), who have been on the front lines of HIV prevention and care in Central Asia for over a decade.

GHRCCA receiving awards earlier this year at AMCHAM: Sholpan Primbetova (right) and Assel Terlikbayeva (middle) will be accepting the awards in person.