Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - November 18, 2005
"Women living with HIV face unique challenges including sexuality, self- esteem, pregnancy, parenting, and relationship dynamic," said Sophie Godley, MPH, Deputy Director of Programs, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts Inc., one of the conference organizers. "This conference aims to explore in depth some of these compelling issues and to create a day-long supportive community for people to explore how to better support women living with HIV. We still don't know enough about treatment issues for women; this conference will offer several important workshops that address HIV health."
As of July 1, 2004, there were 4,167 women living with HIV/AIDS, accounting for 28% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts. Women of color are disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS. According to the CDC, Black women make up 13% of the U.S. population of women, but comprise 67% of AIDS cases. This conference will address this alarming data.
"We are honored to be the presenting sponsor of the Living Our Lives conference, addressing HIV/AIDS issues for women in Boston," said Kevin Young, Executive Vice President of Commercial Operations, Gilead Sciences, Inc. "Gilead is committed to helping ensure equal access to HIV education, testing and treatment resources for everyone who needs it, and believe the conference plays an important role in furthering this mission."
Keynote speakers include:
-- Valerie E. Stone, MD, MPH, Medical Director Women's HIV/AIDS program, Massachusetts General Hospital, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.
-- Nabila El-Bassel, DSW, Professor of Social Work, Columbia University.
-- Helen Hardy, PharmD, HIV Pharmacotherapy specialist & Investigational Pharmacist Director, BMC/MCP HIV Special Residency Program, Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Practice, Mass. College of Pharmacy.
-- Catherine duBois Gaynes, Communications Chair, Statewide Advisory Board (CAB), Co-Chair of the Quincy South Shore AIDS Consortium.
Sponsoring organizations are AIDS Action Committee, Boston Living Center, Boston Medical Center, The Center for AIDS Research-Harvard Medical School, Community Research Initiative of New England, Justice Resource Institute, New England HIV Education Consortium, New England AIDS Education and Training Center and The Women of Color Roundtable. Reservations are required and cost is $35, with free admission for HIV positive people. For more information please visit http://www.aac.org or RSVP to Lisa Cruz at 617.450.1292 or conferences@aac.org.
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc., (AAC), New England's first and largest AIDS organization, is dedicated to stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS by preventing new infections and optimizing the health of those already infected. AAC provides free confidential services to men and women already living with HIV/AIDS, as well as conducts extensive educational and prevention outreach to those at risk of infection. AAC runs the only statewide AIDS Hotline (1.800.235.2331) and Hepatitis Hotline (1.888.443.4372). AAC also advocates for effective science-based prevention programs.
Contact:
Diego Sanchez, APR -- dsanchez@aac.org -- 617.450.1524, 617.835.1455
or
Paul Twitchell -- ptwitchell@aac.org -- 617.450.1215
SOURCE AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, Inc., (AAC)
Web Site: http://www.aac.org
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