United States Conference On AIDS (USCA).

United States Conference On AIDS (USCA).

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USCA Vision Video Final v3
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NMAC USCA2011 Opening Session Strategy SIgn Video
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The United States Conference on AIDS (USCA)

Тhe United States Conference on AIDS (USCA) takes place every year with the aims of “increasing the strength and diversity of the community-based response to the AIDS epidemic through education, training, new partnerships, collaboration and networking.”
USCA 2011
The 16th Annual United States Conference on Aids (USCA) will be taking place 10 -13 November 2011 at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers in Chicago, Illinois.

For more information go to: www.2011usca.org

USCA 2010
The 2010 USCA took place on 12-14 September in Orlando, Florida at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. The theme of this conference was ”Many Faces, One Voice.”

USCA mission for the 2010 conference was to increase the strength and diversity of the community based response to the AIDS epidemic through education, training, new partnerships, collaboration and networking. USCA brought together over 2,500 workers from all front of the HIV/AIDS epidemic to build networks, exchange the latest findings and learn cutting edge tools to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

The target population for USCA was youth and in particular, youth of colour. USCA chose to focus on youths because the rates of HIV/AIDS infected youths were at the highest level yet, with the National Minority AIDS Council announcing that 4,883 youths were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS in 2004 which represented 13% of all people who received a diagnosis that year.

IAS Collaboration

The IAS has aided the National Minority and Aids Council and the conference they hold, United States Conference on AIDS (USCA).

At the United States Conference on AIDS, IAS seeks to improve the quality of science by identifying and supporting top scientists to present their new information at the conference. IAS also provides assistances in logistics, fundraising, program building, conference attendance, support programs, commercial sponsorship, satellites and exhibitions as well as conference evaluation. IAS also organizes and runs high impact activities at the regional conference and usually holds scientific leadership or HIV summits.

For more information go to: www.nmac.org/index/usca-wrap-up.

USCA 2009
In 2009, USCA held their conference in San Francisco, California at the Hilton San Francisco Hotel from 29 – 31 October, with the theme “Unmasking the Epidemic.” Over 3,000 workers from all fronts of the HIV/AIDS epidemic attended the conference to build networks, exchange the latest findings and learn cutting edge tools to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

This conference consisted of four formats: seminars, workshops, round tables, and poster presentations. All of these programme elements were related to at least one or more of the conferences tracks of building healthy organizations, care and primary care, housing, international issues, prevention, public policy, special issues and treatment, and research.

IAS Collaboration

The IAS has aided the National Minority and Aids Council and the conference they hold, United States Conference on AIDS (USCA) by providing technical assistance, tools, and material on membership and governance. IAS also works with the organization to create joint policy and to increase advocacy about HIV/AIDS in their region.

USCA 2008
The annual conference held from 18-21 September in Fort Lauderdale, Florida at the Greater Fort Lauderdale- Broward Country Convention Centre had the theme “Looking Back, Moving Forward.” This theme was chosen by the conferences sponsors with the intent to put an emphasis on the importance of honouring the past while moving forward in addressing the challenges of HIV/AIDS.

Over 4,000 people attended and represented all aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic work force. The conference helped participants to build networks, exchange the research and learn cutting edge tools to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. This conference had an extra seminar, which was the 2nd annual “ONE SAMHSA” HIV/AIDS initiative conference meeting, the goal being to promote learning and sharing across community participants, providing integrated care for people with or at-risk for mental or addictive disorders combined with HIV/AIDS.

IAS Collaboration 

IAS chaired the international track at USCA 2008. IAS also had a booth during the three days of the conference. This booth provided information on the IAS activities. IAS, in collaboration with the National Minority AIDS Council, created an exhibition that was active on the international level and attracted delectates interest in international work.

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* About International AIDS Society (IAS)

“The International AIDS Society is the world’s leading independent association of HIV professionals.

“We connect. By convening the world’s foremost international conferences on HIV and AIDS and specialized meetings, we provide critical platforms for presenting new research, promoting dialogue and building consensus to advance the global fight against HIV.

We promote. By promoting dialogue, education and networking, and providing access to best practice, professional development and skills building, we help build capacity and close gaps in knowledge and expertise at every level of the HIV response.

We mobilize. By advocating for the right to an evidence-based response to HIV and for a concerted research effort to build that evidence base, we contribute to continuous improvement of the global response to HIV. “

**  The above story is adapted from materials provided by International AIDS Society (IAS)

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