Session: The Black Young Professionals' Public Health Network: How Can Young Professionals Contribute To The Need for HIV/AIDS Research and Awareness Globally?


Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

3176.0: Monday, December 12, 2005: 12:30 PM-2:00 PM

Oral

The Black Young Professionals' Public Health Network: How Can Young Professionals Contribute To The Need for HIV/AIDS Research and Awareness Globally?

HIV/AIDS has claimed 20 million lives and is disproportionately affecting people of color across the globe. In the United States, African-Americans represent 13% of the population and account for 49 % of AIDS cases diagnosed (CDC, 2003). Sub-Saharan Africa represents 10% of the world’s population and 64% of people living with HIV/AIDS. Despite treatment advancements and prevention efforts by national and international agencies, vast disparities in HIV/AIDS prevalence, care and outcomes persist. It is critical that those who are disproportionately affected by this pandemic be represented in the public health work force that aims to identify, assess and contextualize factors that influence infection. Panelists will explore the impact of HIV/AIDS on the African Diaspora and share the various career paths that African descendent public health professionals have taken to help combat the disease.

Learning Objectives: To dialogue with public health professionals from the African Diaspora who have dedicated their careers to the fight against HIV/AIDS with the aim of learning about their contributions to the field and respective career paths. To provide an opportunity for young professionals to gain important information on getting involved in the elimination of HIV/AIDS on local, national and global levels. To understand HIV/AIDS health disparities in Black communities and explore possible reasons for these existing conditions. To explore successful "Best Practices" in eliminating health disparities in Black communities. To recognize public health professionals that have dedicated their careers to the research and community based work on HIV/AIDS and explore their respective career pathways.

Organizer(s):

Kanika Harris, BS
Danielle B. Jackson, MPH
Keri Norris, MPH
Carl V. Hill, MPH

Organized by:

Black Caucus of Health Workers

Endorsed by:

Public Health Nursing; Women's Caucus

The 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition (December 10-14, 2005) of APHA