HIV Through the Lens of Social Justice

A conversation with:

Dr. Lisa Rosen-Metsch, ’90GS 

Dean of the Columbia University School of General Studies

Professor of Sociomedical Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health

It was 40 years ago, when the US public first heard about AIDS.

Since then, the HIV epidemic followed and continues to follow along the growing fault lines of income, education, and criminal justice inequities, and reflects the stigma, racism, and genderism experienced by communities most at risk. This talk will frame HIV as a social justice issue, and discuss the need to address not only the medical aspects of HIV but also the broader social and cultural aspects that continue to drive infections and general health disparities in the United States.

Lisa Rosen-Metsch is an internationally-recognized scholar in the prevention of HIV among populations with substance use disorders. Her research has helped to re-shape national policy for the care and treatment of HIV, including through the design and testing of new strategies for expanding the reach of testing and the level of engagement of vulnerable populations. 

Reception&Social: 6:00pm to 6:30pm
Keynote/Q&A: 6:30pm to 8:30pm

Metro: Dupont Circle

Lisa Rosen-Metsch is the Dean of the Columbia University School of General Studies and Professor of Sociomedical Sciences at the Mailman School of Public Health.  Prior to her appointment as Dean, she was the inaugural Stephen Smith Professor and Chair of the Department of Sociomedical Sciences. For over two decades, her research efforts have focused on epidemiologic and intervention studies that address the primary and secondary prevention needs of people at risk and living with HIV, particularly persons with substance use disorders. During her time as Chair of the Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Lisa led the Mailman School’s initiative to put a public health lens on the issue of mass incarceration She presently serves on the executive committee of the Center for Justice, an interdisciplinary initiative dedicated to refocusing the criminal justice system on prevention and healing, where she is focused on raising scholarships to support formerly incarcerated students to attend Columbia University.