NMAC Releases Preliminary Findings of HIV Health Literacy Consultation

National Think TankThe Treatment Education Adherence Mobilization (TEAM) division of NMAC is very proud to announce the release of its report from the recent National HIV Treatment Education Health Literacy and Wellness Think Tank. In April, as a part of an on-going HIV treatment education and mobilization initiative, NMAC convened a national think tank in Washington, DC bringing together 45 key HIV experts to review and discuss opportunities for HIV treatment education, health literacy, and wellness.

The Think Tank provided an opportunity for a robust exchange of ideas and the discussions centered around themes of improving and expanding health literacy and cultivating and strengthening community networks to assure that people living with HIV are engaged and retained in care and have an improved quality of life. The report provides a comprehensive overview of think tank presentations, discussions, and the recommendations for follow-up actions.

Some of the recommendations in the report include improved development of quality HIV treatment education; creating stronger coalitions among diverse organizations working in issues of health, government, economics, or social justice; and cultivating leadership among HIV-positive individuals. These recommendations will be explored and refined by four Working Groups that were created out of the Thank Tank. These Working Groups are — Content, Policy, Social Determinants, and HIV-Positive Leadership — will provide advice and input for the development of the National HIV Health Literacy and Wellness Blueprint.

The efforts of the Working Groups will be presented and discussed at the United States Conference on AIDS in September in New Orleans. If you are attending USCA you will have the opportunity to attend the presentation and engage in discussion around the blueprint. It’s our hope that the final blueprint will be a resource for community based organizations, government, funders, and people living with HIV so that we can improve health literacy and increase overall wellness.

Download the Full Report.