Web-Assisted Audioconference

Wednesday, April 21

The rate of new HIV infections in the United States has remained stable at an estimated 40,000 new cases each year. Some public health professionals believe that this rate could and should be further reduced, by implementing new actions in HIV prevention strategies.  These new actions, titled "Advancing HIV Prevention (AHP)" by CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, change the focus of a state's HIV program to incorporate the following activities:

• Encourage routine voluntary HIV testing as a routine part of medical care for those at high risk;
• Create new methods for diagnosing HIV infection outside of medical settings;
• Prevent new infections by working with persons diagnosed with HIV and their partners; and
• Further decrease perinatal HIV transmission.

These new activities may not be as easily implemented into a state program as one  might think - some states have policies or regulations that prohibit the conduct of testing outside a medical setting. There are competing priorities, few caseworkers, and no new monies to implement these new activities.  This web-assisted audioconference will discuss the activities of AHP and how they may affect state programs.

Speakers:

April 14, 2004

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States.  For the 64 million Americans (almost one-fourth of the population) who live with cardiovascular disease, it is also a leading cause of premature, permanent disability. The economic impact of heart disease and stroke in the U.S., both health care costs and lost productivity from death and disability, is projected to be $368 billion in 2004.

Heart disease and stroke are also the first and third leading killers of women.  This year 65,000 more women than men will die of heart disease, and women are 10 times more likely to die from heart disease than breast cancer.  Yet only a third of women recognize heart disease as their leading risk for death. 

Fortunately, much can be done to prevent and respond to these common and costly health problems.  This web-assisted audioconference will provide state policymakers with information about how they can help raise public awareness, support health systems changes to ensure a quick response to victims of heart attack and stroke, and address cardiovascular health issues for women. 

NOTE: You can participate in this conference at your desk. You have three options:

1. Listen to the audio portion and view the slides using the Internet (this requires a sound card in your computer or other means for receiving the web audio). If you choose this option, you will be able to ensure that it works properly prior to the start of the event. Once you have connected to the event room, you will automatically hear music if your computer can receive web audio. Please note: You may experience a slight time delay for the audio portion.
2. Listen to the audio portion on the telephone and view the slides on your computer (this requires an internet connection separate from your phone line).
3. Print out speaker slides (they will be available 1-2 days before the event) and listen to the audio portion on the telephone.