[Pharm-policy] NATAF: Tracks & Workshops

[Gonsalves, Gregg]

> NATAF:  Tracks & Workshops
> December 2-5, 2001
> Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre 
> Vancouver, Canada
> 
> For more information visit 
> http://www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/welcome.htm
> 
> The 2001 North American AIDS Treatment Action Forum (NATAF) will be held
> December 2-5 at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel, Vancouver,
> Canada.  The forum is designed to educate individuals interested in
> becoming HIV/AIDS advocates and educators; to enhance their skills and
> knowledge; and to develop inclusive, national strategies to ensure the
> continuity and success of the treatment advocacy movement. 
> 
> NATAF 2001 is open to anyone interested in broadening their knowledge of
> HIV/AIDS research and treatment issues, and learning to use this knowledge
> to advocate on behalf of everyone living with HIV/AIDS. Participants
> include the volunteers, staff, and board members of community-based
> organizations, case managers, social workers, AIDS educators and outreach
> workers, pharmaceutical and government representatives, healthcare
> professionals and people living with HIV/AIDS.
> 
> The forum includes a pre-conference orientation and is divided into three
> tracks:
> 
> Action Track (http://www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/welcome.htm#Action_Track)
> The Action Track combines two tracks from previous years:  the Treatment
> Activist track and the Public Policy track.  This track will provide
> information and skills-building necessary to impact how AIDS research is
> conducted, and how treatments, vaccines and microbicides are developed and
> approved.  It will also cover policies made by federal, state and
> provincial governments, and private insurers that affect access to
> treatment and quality health care for all people living with HIV.
> Finally, it will examine how governments, international agencies and drug
> companies respond to the global AIDS epidemic. 
> 
> To make it easier to identify areas of interest, the Action track is
> divided into three groups: 
> 
> 
> 1.	Action Skills Building, 
> 2.	Community Voices in HIV/AIDS Research and Development, and 
> 3.	Access to Treatment and Health Care. 
> 
> 
> 
> The Action Skills-Building sessions will focus on developing the skills
> necessary to advocate with governments and other decisions makers on
> important issues, and organize our communities to do the same.  The action
> skills building sessions will include workshops such as: 
> 
> 
> *	How to be a Treatment Advocate for People in Prison 
> *	Advocating for Yourself or Others in Health Care Systems 
> *	Make the Press Work for You: Soundbites to Interviews 
> *	What's Our Plan?:  How to Identify a Target, Develop a Strategy, and
> Analyze Results 
> *	Mobilize Your Community: From Peanut Butter Sandwiches to Speeches
> at the Capitol 
> *	How to Influence Government Officials Without Being a Millionaire 
> *	Building International Relations in Activism 
> *	Researching, Analyzing, and Using Policy Data to Boost Advocacy
> Efforts
> 
> 
> 
> The Community Voices in HIV/AIDS Research and Development sessions will
> address emerging and important  issues in the areas of biomedical and
> behavioral research, and the development of treatments, vaccines and
> microbicides.  Participants will develop critical thinking around
> scientific information, and explore activist strategies in working with
> the pharmaceutical industry, government and academic research entities.
> The Community Voices in HIV/AIDS Research and Development sessions offered
> will include topics such as:
> 
> 
> *	Developing Effective Strategies for Treatment Activism 
> *	The Science of Addiction, Harm Reduction, Mental Health and HIV
> Disease 
> *	Women's HIV Treatment and Research Activism 
> *	Complementary and Alternative Medicine:  Evaluating Claims,
> Gathering Evidence 
> *	The Immune System and HIV:  Development of Vaccines and Immune Based
> Therapies 
> *	Antiretroviral Strategies: Activist Interventions on When to Start,
> STI's Salvage Therapy and Beyond
> 
> 
> 
> The Access to Treatment and Health Care sessions will examine barriers and
> challenges in treatment and health care access in the United States,
> Canada, and internationally.  The sessions offered will include topics
> such as:
> 
> 
> *	The Impact of U.S. and Canadian Policy on HIV Treatment and Care in
> Developing Countries 
> *	Access to Care and Treatment for Immigrants in the U.S. and Canada 
> *	A Look at U.S. and Canadian Policies that Affect Access to HIV Care
> and Treatment for People in Prison 
> *	Improving Access to Care and Treatment for Active Users 
> *	Accessing Complementary and Alternative Therapies 
> *	The Rising Cost of Health Care:  How Marketing Influences Consumers
> and Physicians 
> *	The Impact of Drug Pricing on Treatment Access domestically and
> Internationally 
> *	Broadening the Agenda:  Fighting to Obtain Access to Quality Care
> and Treatment for HIV Positive Women
> 
> 
> 
> Treatment Education Track
> (http://www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/welcome.htm#Treatment_Education_Track)
> The Treatment Education track will engage in discussions about existing
> and emerging concepts in HIV/AIDS-related treatment issues.  The track
> will examine these issues  in a manner that makes them accessible to
> people living with HIV/AIDS, treatment educators, and direct service
> providers.
> 
> 
> 
> This track will:
> 
> 
> *	Increase the knowledge of treatment educators, front-line workers,
> and caregivers so that they can become more effective advocates for people
> living with HIV/AIDS and the broader community. 
> *	Provide opportunities for people living with HIV/AIDS to empower
> themselves so that they may make informed treatment decisions. 
> *	Provide educators, activist, and advocates with the information and
> context to help them identify and address issues affecting their
> communities.
> 
> 
> 
> The Treatment Education track will endeavor to meet these goals and
> objectives through a variety of workshops covering a wide range of issues,
> including:
> 
> 
> *	Cultural Challenges to Treatment Education 
> *	Women's Treatment Issues 
> *	Antiretroviral Therapy I - Why, When & How 
> *	Antiretroviral Therapy II - Emerging Issues 
> *	Drug Interaction-Prescription, Street Drugs, & Supplements 
> *	The long & Short of Side Effects 
> *	Hepatitis & Liver Health 
> *	Cancers & Opportunistic Infections 
> *	Nutrition as Therapy 
> *	Understanding and Evaluating Complementary Medicine 
> *	Pregnancy & HIV 
> *	Massaging the Immune System
> 
> 
> 
> Skills Building Track
> (http://www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/welcome.htm#Skills_Building_Track)
> The goal of the Skills Building track is to help participants apply the
> information and strategies discussed in the Treatment Education and Action
> Tracks in their own activities and communities.  The Skills Building
> workshops use hands-on learning approaches and provide participants the
> opportunity to use real-life projects, experiences and challenges
> throughout the workshops.
> 
> Scholarships
> Deadline for scholarships application is 6:00 PM (eastern) on August 31,
> 2001.  For information about scholarships, please go to
> http://www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/scholarship/scholarship.htm
> 
> Scholarship applications will be accepted from all interested parties.
> Special consideration will be given to treatment advocates living with
> HIV/AIDS and people who are interested in becoming treatment advocates.
> Depending on availability, a maximum of one scholarship per agency will be
> awarded.  There are a limited number of scholarships available.
> 
> DO NOT FAX your scholarship application.  Faxed applications will NOT be
> considered.  Please be sure to complete all required information.
> Incomplete applications will not be considered.
> 
> Scholarship Options
> Option A - Registration only ($150.00 US)
> Option B - Registration($150.00 US), $100.00 US travel credit, two nights
> hotel lodging at Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel ($430.00 US)
> 
> 
> 
> Registration
> Deadline for registration is 6 p.m., October 31, 2001.  You can register
> online at http://www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/online_registration.htm.
> 
> Member Pre-Registration Fee $150 (before October 31, 2001, 6 p.m. eastern)
> Non Member Pre-Registration Fee $175 (before October 31, 2001, 6 p.m.
> eastern)
> Onsite Registration Fee $225 (after October 31, 2001, 6 p.m. eastern)
> 
> 
> 
> Visiting Canada
> A valid passport is required for citizens of all countries to enter
> Canada.  Canada has no specific restrictions on entry for people living
> with HIV/AIDS.  However, Canada does reserve the right to deny entry to
> someone with serious medical illness that poses a danger to public health
> or safety, or whose admission might cause excessive demands on health or
> social services.  Although HIV is not considered a danger to public heath,
> it may be necessary for delegates to prove that they have health insurance
> coverage for the entire period of their visit to Canada.  Therefore, it is
> strongly recommended that you purchase health insurance for your visit to
> Canada.  Delegates will have access to medical services and nursing
> support during the conference.  Make sure your travel health insurance
> will cover these expenses.  Access to HIV-related drugs will be possible
> but not without payment.  There will be no free drugs at the conference.
> So please, ensure you bring an adequate supply for your stay in Canada.
> Individuals who are undergoing Methadone maintenance therapy are permitted
> to enter into Canada with no more than a two-day supply of methadone.
> Upon arrival in Vancouver, arrangements can be made to insure appropriate
> quantity of Methadone is prescribed for the remainder of your stay.  If
> you are entering Canada with Methadone, you MUST bring an original letter
> from your doctor clearly stating the dose, route and frequency of
> administration as well as the reason for and length of time you have been
> taking Methadone.  Requests for Methadone prescriptions will be handled
> with strict confidentiality.  Please note that you will be responsible for
> paying for the cost of filling a Methadone prescription.  The possession
> of and/or transport of illegal drugs (including marijuana) into Canada is
> NOT permitted even with a doctorıs prescription
> 
> 
> 
> Hotel Information
> Please go to http://www.nmac.org/nataf/2001/Hotel_Registration_Form.htm to
> the the hotel registration form.  
> 
> NATAF has reserved a block of rooms at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre
> Hotel for the forum. To be assured a room at the special forum rates, you
> must make your reservations by October 31, 2001, and identify yourself as
> a NATAF participant. You may make reservations by completing the hotel
> reservation form and returning it directly to the Sheraton Vancouver Wall
> Centre Hotel 1088 Burrard Street Vancouver, BC Canada V6Z 2R9.  Phone:
> 1-800-663-9255, Fax: 604-893-7123. A deposit for the first night is
> required to guarantee your room reservation.  The room rate is for single
> Occupancy $129.00 (plus taxes) or Double Occupancy $129 (plus taxes).
> Amount shown is in Canadian Currency, his amount converts to $86.00
> dollars per night as of January 4, 2001.  Amount subject to change in
> currency exchange.  Also your GST taxes paid on hotel accommodations and
> purchases made in Canada are refundable.
> 
> Scholarship recipients will be required to make their own hotel
> reservations.  
> 
> The Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre Hotel is located in downtown Vancouver
> within walking distance of several attractions.  The hotel is located
> approximately 30 minutes from Vancouver International Airport.  All
> accommodations feature remote control color television with cable, three
> phones with two dedicated phone lines, voicemail, computer and fax
> hook-ups, am/fm clock radios, in room coffee makers, ironing boards/irons,
> hairdryers and complimentary newspapers. Meeting participants will be able
> to enjoy fitness center with indoor lap pool and 2 Jacuzzis as well as 24
> hour room service.
> 
> Sponsors
> 
> 
> *	AIDS Project Los Angeles 
> *	African American AIDS Policy and Training Institute 
> *	American Foundation for AIDS Research 
> *	Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center 
> *	British Columbia Persons With AIDS Society 
> *	Canadian AIDS Society 
> *	Canadian Treatment Advocates Council 
> *	Community Research Initiative on AIDS 
> *	Gay Men's Health Crisis 
> *	Hyacinth AIDS Foundation 
> *	National Minority AIDS Council 
> *	Project Inform 
> *	Test Positive Aware Network 
> *	Treatment Action Group
> 
> 
> 
> -- THE NATIONAL MINORITY AIDS COUNCIL
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