As part of the Consulate’s World Aids Day outreach, December 2, 2015 a group of medical professionals from Yekaterinburg participated in an hour and a half long conversation via digital video conference (DVC) with Dr. Lamont Scales, Public Health Analyst, Office of Health Equity, Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention. Dr. Scales presented information on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) and HIV/AIDS prevention and care in the United States and answered questions from his Russian colleagues. The questions contributed to discussions on STI prevalence and prevention programs among youth, equal opportunities and access to screening and medical care for various groups of the population, overcoming stigma and discrimination in regards to HIV/AIDS patients, the various approaches to reaching target audiences, and using new media and educational campaigns as prevention methods. American and Russian colleagues agreed to continue this important dialog in April, STI Awareness Month.
