Training Focus on HIV in Latinx Communities

The City of St. Louis Department of Health (DOH) is hosting a free two-day training February 20th and February 21st facilitated by the Latino Commission on AIDS to present on HIV prevention strategies that can effectively prevent HIV transmission in the St. Louis region. The training is being sponsored by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD). Representatives from across the State of Missouri are attending. 
 
“HIV impacts all segments of our community,” said Franda Thomas, City of St. Louis Department of Health’s bureau chief for communicable disease. Although the training is specific to Latinx communities, DOH is always searching for strategies to engage, educate, and empower all communities across the St. Louis region. “Achieving health equity across all regions in the community is a major focus for public health,” said Dr. Fredrick Echols, director of health for the City of St. Louis.
 
The goals of the training are to learn about recruitment and retention plans to effectively prioritize the Latinx communities needs and the disparities that impact the community - a framework of cultural responsiveness that acknowledges the process of learning and openness to other cultures as a process and not as an end or competency -increasing communication, collaboration, and coordination between the health department, community organizations, and the community.
 

Latino Commission on AIDS
The Latino Commission on AIDS is a coalition of Latino leaders that spearheads health advocacy for Latinos, promotes HIV education, develops model prevention programs for high-risk communities, and builds capacity in community organizations. For additional information visit https://latinoaids.org/

National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)
NASTAD is a leading non-partisan non-profit association that represents public health officials who administer HIV and hepatitis programs. Its singular mission is to end the intersecting epidemics of HIV, viral hepatitis, and related conditions. For additional information on visit https://www.nastad.org/about