Yesterday I learned to speak epidemiology

Well, at least a little.  David Munar from AIDS Foundation of Chicago provided a great introduction to epidemiology - the scientific study of disease distribution and factors that cause disease to spread in communities - in this morning's Prevention Symposium.  David referenced the astounding and deeply disturbing disparities experienced by some populations, especially Black women and Black men who have sex with men.  He reminded us of the importance of real-time data:  while the CDC projected in 2006 an incidence rate (annual number of people infected by HIV) of 56,000; given a constant 5% transmission rate, that number would be closer to 64,000 this year- 2010- and will approach 75,000 by 2015.  And the Act Against AIDS "9 1/2 minutes" campaign (you know, the one that turns HIV-positive people red) is already old news.  In 2010, the epidemic would be more accurately characterized by an "Every 8 minutes" campaign, according to David.  Good thing we're all red, and so easy to find.

Jen Hecht of the Stop AIDS Project presented eloquently on the subject of structural intervention, and opportunities to intervene "upstream" on issues impacting HIV risk.  Structural interventions require that we understand causal pathways -- the mechanisms by which structural factors affect HIV, and address the context in which HIV risk occurs.  And attendees in the session on Prevention Research and Women: Cocktails for Success highlighted this issue.  About 40 participants from around the United States engaged in a lively discussion on the prevention research needs of women - key themes included the need to move away from risk-based models towards understanding the ways which socioeconomic and cultural factors impact HIV vulnerability in women.  Recommendations from participants included: pilot projects targeted at economic empowerment (building wealth in addition to generating income; see this report for the difference); investigating the role of assisted reproductive technology in HIV prevention for women; and the need to understand the human rights implications of treatment as prevention.