World AIDS Day, observed each December 1, is dedicated to raising awareness of the worldwide AIDS epidemic caused by the spread of HIV. Uniting local and global community partners, the first annual bi-state area World AIDS Day Conference will take place December 1 from 1 to 9:30 p.m. at Missouri Historical Society. The conference will unite local and global community partners in educating and enabling the bi-state community and beyond, including health care professionals, social services workers, and those affected by the disease. Goals of the conference include reducing the stigma of HIV/AIDS, enhancing knowledge, and building stronger partnerships in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
More than 25 million people have died from AIDS, making it one of the most devastating epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, in 2005 the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million lives, of which more than half a million were children.
In the metropolitan St. Louis area, the first annual all-day conference is an opportunity for increased awareness and education in the fight against the disease. World AIDS Day Conference, St. Louis offers presentations, workshops, and seminars by health officials and medical experts on the social and economic impact of HIV/AIDS. Throughout the day, exhibitors will present resources and best practices in care and prevention strategies, including onsite counseling and testing. The conference also includes the Bi-State premier of The New Faces of AIDS, the second installation in the Faces of AIDS series, as well as further exhibitions of audio-visual presentations. Following its premier at World AIDS Day Conference, St. Louis, The New Faces of AIDS will become a traveling exhibit throughout the Midwest.
A true bi-state region event, World AIDS Day Conference, St. Louis presents a unique opportunity for Missouri and Illinois health providers to work together in HIV/AIDS education and research. Health care professionals from both sides of the river and beyond will be presenting informational sessions and sharing knowledge for the betterment of the communities both east and west of the Mississippi River.
Plenary sessions planned for the day include "Understanding Treatment and Research," "Prevention, Care and Best Practices," and "Policy and Advocacy," along with a keynote presentation of "The HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the Americas." FollowingWorld AIDS Day Conference, St. Louis is made possible by the generosity of the bi-state community and the following sponsors: St. Louis Department of Health, Global Health Council, East Side Health District, Washington University, Pfizer, Missouri Historical Society, WPT, Wellness on Wheels, The Olympians, and Brothers and Sisters United Against HIV/AIDS (BASUAH).
Sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, including audio-visual presentations, are still available by calling 314-534-9251. |
