Written by the Howard University Newsroom,
Howard University’s 12th Annual International Conference on Stigma will be held November 15-19, 2021, as a virtual event. The theme is “Trauma…Recovery…Healing.” This year’s conference will include open discussions on a range of topics, including HIV among underserved populations and the impact of chronic stress and trauma. Stigma of mental health, sickle cell disease, substance abuse and other health-related stigma will also be included.
Each year, the International Conference on Stigma brings together a full roster of researchers, educators, policymakers, activists, faith leaders, youth and community leaders to discuss health-related stigmas and strategies to overcome them.
The stigma associated with health conditions is a major health problem and impedes treatment and prevention efforts. The purpose of the conference is to end the stigma surrounding HIV, mental health and other intersecting stigmas, while being an important voice for marginalized people.
Shanell McGoy, Ph.D., MPH, the lead for Gilead’s COMPASS Initiative, a 10-year, $100 million effort to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Southern United States, will give the keynote at this event. Researchers including Kathryn Whetten Ph.D., MPH, from Duke University and Cheryl Delasega, Ph.D., from Penn State will present stigma research in three plenary sessions. Ulysses W. Burley III, founder of UBtheCURE LLC, and Reverend Sande Bailey-Gwinn of Foundations for Living among others will lead three faith-based sessions. Four work groups and a host of other community organizations are also planned. A town hall will discuss the importance of language as it relates to stigma. Six workshops will address topics including hip-hop, sickle cell disease and engaging the Hispanic population.
Sohail Rana, M.D., is a professor of pediatrics at the Howard University College of Medicine and conference director. “He shared that most people with stigmatized illnesses like HIV have suffered layers and layers of trauma. It is hard to see the real person through the scars. Being able to tell your story without facing rejection is the first step to healing. Love is the cure.”
This year’s entertainment features vocal artist Ojotunmi aka Sanu Boy and a performance by Promising Futures, the D.C. community youth group, with Maranda Ward, MPH, Ed.D., assistant professor, George Washington, University, and many other vocal, dance and spoken word selections.
In addition, this year’s International Conference on Stigma will feature personal video clips from the community to share their stigma stories. Raffle prizes will be given throughout the conference, and individuals who have been working diligently to eliminate stigma will be recognized and awarded. There will be multiple networking opportunities with support for next generation researchers and advocates working to combat stigma. Stigma-focused artwork will be presented with prizes for the top submissions.
The major sponsors of the event are Gilead Sciences and Theratechnologies, Inc. Other significant sponsors include Research Data and Communication Technologies, RTI International, and International Association of Providers of AIDS Care. Major collaborators include Howard University School of Social Work and the Mid-Atlantic AIDS Education and Training Center (Howard University Regional Site).
