It was a full house for our World AIDS Day event this year, with four leading scientists presenting on the topic “Political, Social, and Structural Forces Driving the HIV Epidemic.”
Audience for World AIDS Day event during Dr. Nabila El-Bassel’s presentation, here showing the drivers of HIV on the back screen: stigma, discrimination, gender balance inequalities, and so many more forces that contribute to HIV.
Photo credit: Eleni Vlachos of the Social Intervention Group
The event was also Livestreamed, thanks to the Columbia School of Social Work team.
The registration table staffed by Alissa Davis (next to a sign providing an instructive teaching moment)
Photo credit: Eleni Vlachos of the Social Intervention Group
Yong Gun (YG) Lee of the Social Intervention Group, doubling as timekeeper, speaks with an attendee pre-event
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
The woman who organized the logistics for the event, Audrey Ward of the Social Intervention Group
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
More speaker prep, with Dr. Nabila El-Bassel, yours truly (Eleni Vlachos) and Drs. Blankenship and Auerbach
Dr. Dawn Goddard-Eckrich of the Social Intervention Group and former T32 fellow Phil Marotta
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Tara McCrimmon, Yong Gun (YG) Lee, and Dr. Anindita Dasgupta of the Social Intervention Group team, who also volunteered to help make the event run smoothly
To the right, Dr. Elwin Wu, Co-Director of the Social Intervention Group, speaks with an audience member; in the background, speakers prepare with Audrey
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Dr. Nabila El-Bassel, Director of the Social Intervention Group, opened the event:
Dr. Nabila El-Bassel presented in honor of those who have been impacted by HIV
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Photo credit: Dr. Anindita Dasgupta of the Social Intervention Group @anidasgu
Following, Columbia University’s Dr. Gina Wingood presented her research on working with African American churches to transform health:
Dr. Wingood discussing over a decade of work with churches to respond to the HIV epidemic.
Photo credit: Dr. Anindita Dasgupta of the Social Intervention Group @anidasgu
For perspective, Dr. Wingood added: “This one slide took over 10 years of work.”
Dr. Susan Sherman, from Johns Hopkins, presented her work on sex work and HIV in Baltimore.
Dr. Sherman shared how we must help empower sex workers and work with police while developing interventions
Photo credit: Eleni Vlachos of the Social Intervention Group
Next, Dr. Kim M. Blankenship from American University shared the connection between mass incarceration and HIV, including how women experience gender-based factors that prevent them from engaging in HIV care:
“We need to understand the implications for HIV [race-based disparities] in the criminal justice system.”
Photo credit: Dr. Anindita Dasgupta of the Social Intervention Group @anidasgu
Who are the 10-10-10?
Photo credit: Dr. Anindita Dasgupta of the Social Intervention Group @anidasgu
Following the presentations, SIG Assistant Director and moderator Dr. Timothy Hunt asked for 30 seconds of silence to remember those we have lost to AIDS, and to consider their wishlist for ending HIV.
“What is your wishlist for continuing progress in ending HIV?”
Photo credit: Eleni Vlachos of the Social Intervention Group
Dr. Hunt moderated the following panel with each scientist who presented:
L-R, Drs. Sherman, Auerbach, Blankenship, Wingood, and El-Bassel
Photo credit: Dr. Anindita Dasgupta of the Social Intervention Group @anidasgu
Several audience members asked questions:
Photo credit: Eleni Vlachos of the Social Intervention Group
Photo credit: Eleni Vlachos of the Social Intervention Group
Dr. Timothy Hunt moderated
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Panelist Dr. Auerbach addresses a question
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
The question and answer session encouraged interesting discussion and undoubtedly could have continued for much longer, but attendees were invited to the reception to celebrate the work 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.
Attendees enjoyed a delicious buffet, including veg options in the forefront
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Dr. Louisa Gilbert, co-Director of SIG, spoke about GHRCCA’s work:
Dr. Louisa Gilbert of the Social Intervention Group introduces GHRCCA
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Dr. Nabila El-Bassel spoke about GHRCCA, founded over ten years ago by she and her team
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
Awards for “Leadership and Excellence” were presented by Associate Dean Allen Zweben to Drs. Sholpan Primbetova and Assel Terlikbayeva, the Regional Deputy Director and Regional Director, respectively, of GHRCCA.
Associate Dean Allen Zweben presents the awards.
Photo credit: Yong Gun (YG) Lee of the Social Intervention Group
And some excitement!
Photo credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
L:R: Dr. Nabila El-Bassel, Elena Maitekova, Aidana Maitekova, Drs. Assel Terlikbayeva, and Sholpan Primbetova
Photo Credit: Dorothy Robinson of the School of Social Work
A short video, sharing the impact of GHRCCA’s work, is available for viewing here.
Thank you to everyone who attended and joined the discussion. A special thanks to all of our speakers, and to the Columbia University School of Social Work for all of the promotion of the event!
Interested in learning more about ending HIV by 2030? See Dr. El-Bassel’s recent article, outlining five recommended steps: “The HIV/AIDS Crisis Will Not End Unless We Take These Five Steps by 2030.”
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