FINAL USCA 2016 FACEBOOK LIVE EVENTS FOCUS ON VIRAL SUPPRESSION AND CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

September 18, 2016 • By AIDS.gov

On the closing day of the 2016 U.S. Conference on AIDS (USCA), September 18, in Hollywood, Florida, AIDS.gov shared more conference highlights via two Facebook Live events.

People Living with HIV Discussed What New Science on Viral Suppression Means to Them

Dr. Rich Wolitski held a conversation with four other people living with HIV about viral suppression to capture some of the conversations going on in the halls and over coffee at USCA. Rich is the Acting Director of the HHS Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy (OPHAIDP). He spoke with Murray Penner of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD); Gina Brown of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies and a member of PACHA; Terrance Calhoun, an HIV consultant and educator; and Bruce Richman of the Prevention Access Campaign. They discussed the implications of research findings shared at the International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2016) earlier this summer about the fact that no HIV transmissions were linked to individuals who were virally suppressed in the extended follow-up to the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) study number 052

. Among the implications they shared: removing the fear that they may unintentionally transmit HIV to their loved ones, being able to pursue relationships, changing perspectives on people living with HIV. They also offer ideas on what they each think needs to be done next in light of this significant scientific finding. View their conversation.

Reflections on the Shifting HIV Prevention Landscape

Dr. Wolitski joined us again for a second Facebook Live event following his remarks during the conference’s closing session, which focused on handling the shifting HIV prevention landscape. He shared his perspective on some of the interesting things coming out of the conference, including discussion of the data on viral suppression, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and the importance of addressing social determinants of health. View his Facebook Live event.