Connecting The Dots: A Personal Revelation at the AIDS 2024 Conference
Thought Leadership
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Reflections on the American Public Health Association Conference 2024
This year, I was fortunate to attend the American Public Health Association (APHA) Conference here in my hometown of Minneapolis, MN. While I’ve attended many conferences, I’ve never experienced one on this scale. With over 11,500 attendees and hundreds of exhibitors, the opportunities seemed endless. I planned to attend sessions on topics such as Health Education and Community Engagement, Sexual and Reproductive Rights, and HIV/PrEP. However, I also left time to reconnect with old friends, meet new people, explore presentations outside my immediate field, and wander through the Exhibit Hall.
Walking through the Exhibit Hall felt like a journey through the many dimensions of public health. With hundreds of exhibitors representing public health schools, government agencies, private industry, and various associations, the diversity was incredible. Each booth offered a unique perspective or talent, yet everyone shared a common goal: advancing public health worldwide. It was truly inspiring.
I especially enjoyed the informal conversations that sparked meaningful exchanges of ideas. One particularly memorable discussion was with representatives of the Peace Caucus, who focus on addressing the health effects of conflict. We explored how the health and safety of women and girls are disproportionately compromised in conflict zones. This conversation sparked the idea of collaborating on a future presentation—a perfect example of how the conference fosters connections and highlights the interdisciplinary nature of public health work.
Attending the APHA conference was an incredible opportunity to engage with professionals across diverse fields, learn from their expertise, and gain fresh perspectives for my own work. It was an honor to showcase PMC’s impactful projects and to feel part of a global community dedicated to advancing public health.
In addition to the exhibits, I attended numerous presentations—both oral and poster—covering a range of public health topics. Many aligned closely with PMC’s work, such as HIV/PrEP and gender-based violence, providing valuable insights directly applicable to our projects. Other sessions had a broader focus, tackling subjects like Public Health Messaging, Effective Data Presentation, and Ethics in Research.
One particularly rewarding moment was attending a presentation by Sentient Research, which showcased work done in collaboration with PMC’s Natalia Cereser and Cecilia Orvañanos. Seeing familiar research highlighted in a professional setting was both exciting and validating, reinforcing the importance of the partnerships PMC fosters to drive impactful research.
A session on Presenting Public Health Data Effectively was especially inspiring. It provided simple strategies for communicating complex data in ways that resonate with a broad audience—critical for increasing public awareness and support for our work. I left with several ideas on how we can better present our findings and engage more effectively with stakeholders. These insights are invaluable for PMC, helping us highlight the importance of our mission to improve health and social outcomes worldwide.
I also had the privilege of presenting some of PMC’s innovative work in Zambia. My presentation focused on the importance of conducting thorough audience research before designing programs to ensure they truly resonate with target audiences. The specific research highlighted community perceptions of HIV and PrEP in Zambia. Many attendees stopped by to view the poster and complimented its design, noting its clarity and how effectively it conveyed key findings.
Throughout the session, I engaged in discussions with colleagues conducting similar work in other regions. These exchanges were inspiring, offering opportunities to compare challenges, share ideas, and learn from one another’s experiences. We laid the groundwork for future collaborations, making plans to reconnect and delve deeper into these topics. The experience left me energized and reminded me of the value of connecting with others in the field who share a commitment to impactful public health research.
Overall, attending the APHA conference was an incredible opportunity to engage with professionals across diverse fields, learn from their expertise, and gain fresh perspectives for my own work. It was an honor to showcase PMC’s impactful projects and to feel part of a global community dedicated to advancing public health.
