So I don't know if was merely coincidental or if it was fate but today as I sat down to write my blog for this week, I came upon some suprising news. Today, September, 28 2010 is the opening day of AIDS VACCINE 2010. This is "the only conference dedicated to HIV vaccine research" (GLTNN, 2010). I don't know about any of you but I had no idea this conference even existed!
At this conference more than 500 presentations will take place showing the latest "research in HIV infection and the interaction of the virus with the immune system" (GLTNN, 2010). The conference which takes place in Atlanta, opens today and runs through October first. I found what could be called a mission statement about the conference. It states that it is "dedicated to acelerating the development of a preventitive HIV vaccine through: a shared scientific strategic plan, increased resources, and greater collaboration" (About the Secretariat Enterprise, 2005). One of the conference sponsors is Bill and Melinda Gates.
Being a science student, I would absolutely love to attend this conference for just one day. I would be so eager to see what the worlds leading researchers and scientist's have found. To be at the conference would be like putting yourself in the middle of all the action. People who attend the conference get to find out the latest research and advancements made in finding an HIV vaccine. The presentations are the most current and up to date information available and it would be so exciting to be a part of it. I'm not sure how long this conference has been around but I think it is amazing that there is an entire conference dedicated to finding a vaccine. It is beautiful to see people from all over the world coming together to share their knowlege and learn from one another.
Did You Know?
While my topic is on incarcerated women with HIV or AIDS I found something slightly off topic but I wanted to post it because it was really suprising to me. "Tattooing also contributes to the spread of HIV in correctional facilities. Incarcerated populations use hollowed out ballpoint pins and pen ink to create tattoos. They may use the same pin to create tattoos on multiple prisoners. A report from California suggests that tattooing was the most prevalent HIV risk-related activity among incarcerated men" (Incarcerated Populations and HIV/AIDS, 2001). While I knew that tattooing was a contributing risk factor to HIV I didn't realize its' prevalance among the incarcerated.
Sources:
GLTNN, (2010, September 28). AIDS VACCINE 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2010, from GLT News Now: http://gltnewsnow.com/2010/09/28/aids-vaccine-2010-the-only-conference-dedicated-to-hiv-vaccine-research-opens-in-atlanta/
(2005). About the Secretariat Enterprise. Retrieved September 28, 2010, from Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise: http://www.hivvaccineenterprise.org/node/7
(2001, July). Incarcerated Populations and HIV/AIDS. Retrieved September 28, 2010, from AIDS Action Policy Facts: http://img.thebody.com/legacyAssets/37/72/incarcerated.pdf
It is too bad you couldn't get to the conference. You should see where it is going to be next year and make plans to attend for that day. You might even get the sponsors to reduce the fee or give you a scholarship. The International AIDS Conference is coming to Washington in 2012 I believe. It will be the first time back in this country for over 20 years.
ReplyDeleteYou mean hollowed out ballpoint pens, not pins? I am not surprised at this at all. This can also happen in a registered tattoo parlor.
There are a number of seminars and conferences re HIV Disease, Ashley. You are now going to be more aware of them. :>) There was a huge conference in Orlando two weeks ago but I could not afford the $375 registration fee. Some of the panels from the AIDS Quilt was also at the FL Mall just days before the conference.
ReplyDeleteIt'll be interesting to see the information concerning the International Conference when it becomes available.
Transmission can occur whether a person gets a tattoo in jail or in a store. You have to be careful and watch how the needle is obtained and what happens to it after the process. It is always wise to watch one or two individuals getting tattoos before you get one, if that is your choice.
That conference sounds really interesting! It is really amazing that there are new vaccines coming out for HIV. I think this is a great preventative measure, but we also need to help find a cure for HIV/AIDS. Your "Did You Know" is actually surprising to me as well. Maybe I just did not know enough about the jail system but I thought most inmates came in with tattoos already, not leave with tattoos they got in jail! But I can understand why and how the spread of HIV happens with tattoos, I just didn't realized people were getting tattooed in jail.
ReplyDeleteI would like to attend a cofference as well, I find it hard to determine what I'm reading is the most up to date when the copyright says its from like 2007, I know more information has to be out since then.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that there was a conference going on either. I don't know if they do it every year, but if they do you should try to go since you are a science major. I am sure that it would be interesting for anyone to attend though. I feel like a severe like of education would be the only reason why people would still be using make shift needles and sharing them, and that is sad. We need to do something to change that, and the faster the better.
ReplyDelete