A two-day event on Nov. 16-17 at the University of Chicago will examine the growing problem of HIV/AIDS among blacks, Latinos and imprisoned populations.
A Nov. 16 conference, “Social and Structural Determinants of HIV Infections Among Minority Populations,” was organized by the STI/HIV Intervention Network, which is based at the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration. SHINE uses biomedical, behavioral and structural initiatives to reduce HIV infections among minority youth, men who have sex with men and people who are incarcerated. The conference events also will promote free, rapid HIV testing at clinics on the city of Chicago’s West and South sides.
Dexter Voisin, associate professor at SSA and the principal investigator for SHINE, has studied pathways of high rates of community violence exposure and increased high-risk sexual behavior among urban youth. “The number of known HIV infections in the United States has remained relatively stable over the past ten years, at an annual rate of about 55,000,” he said.
“However, minority women and youth, African American and Latino men having sex with men, and incarcerated populations continue to be disproportionately infected,” he added. “These groups have HIV rates that are eight to ten times higher than other segments of the population.”
Other UChicago scholars participating in the conference are Alida Bouris and Matthew Epperson, both assistant professors at SSA; Stuart Michaels, senior research scientist at NORC; and John Schneider, assistant professor at the University of Chicago Medicine.
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On Nov. 16, Prof. Robert Fullilove, associate dean for Community and Minority Affairs at Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University, will deliver the keynote address on “Mass Incarceration As a Social Driver of HIV/AIDS in the United States.” Participants include community partners and speakers from the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, and Northwestern and Loyola universities. This conference will be run from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. at SSA, 969 E. 60th St.
At 7 p.m. on Nov. 17 at International House, actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph will present her one-woman play, “Sometimes I Cry,” a humorous and thought-provoking look into the true stories of women from different walks of life affected by HIV/AIDS. The critically acclaimed play contributed to Ralph being honored with the first Red Ribbon Award at the United Nations, for her unique use of the arts in promoting community health. A Q&A and book signing with Ralph will follow the performance, which is suitable for adolescents and young adults.
Both events are free and open to the public, but given limited seating, early registration is requested at http://ssascholars.uchicago.edu/shine/. For more information, call 773-834-3070.
—Prof. Jacqueline Stewart
