Reflecting on Progress: NASTAD's 2024 Year in Review

As 2024 comes to a close, we take a moment to reflect on a year of progress, perseverance, and impactful work. Through our mission to reduce health disparities, eliminate stigma, and promote equitable public health outcomes, NASTAD has worked tirelessly to drive change. This year’s successes were made possible by the collaboration of our staff, members, and partners, all united in the pursuit of a healthier, more inclusive future. 

Leadership and the 2024–2025 Chair’s Challenge 

In 2024, we said farewell and extended our deepest gratitude to Dave Kern, our 2023–2024 Board Chair, for his impactful leadership and dedication to the Chair’s Challenge, “Access, Engage, & Activate: Centering and Re-centering Key Populations.” His efforts were exemplified by the inaugural HIV & Aging Consultation, which prioritized aging populations in the fight to end the epidemic. 

We also welcomed our new Board at our Annual Meeting in May 2024. When NASTAD updated our bylaws in 2022, we set a goal of at least 50% BIPOC representation on our Board every year. I am happy to report that, with this new Board, we have achieved that goal three years in a row.

Clover Barnes (DC) took on the mantle of Board Chair. With a commitment to advancing equity and inclusivity, Clover’s vision is already inspiring transformative change across the organization. Building on the foundation set by Dave Kern, Clover Barnes’ Chair’s Challenge – “Black Women and BIPOC Leaders: Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges” – centers Black women as a key population in the fight to end the epidemics and uplifts BIPOC voices in public health leadership. This initiative seeks to dismantle systemic barriers while fostering equity and inclusivity. 

This challenge has been embedded throughout our work in 2024, from the Breaking Barriers and Building Bridges Interview Series to focused observances such as National HIV Testing Day and World AIDS Day. Programs and resources like the Emerging Community Leaders Program (ECLP), the inaugural Minority Leadership Program: Executive Activator (MLP EA), and the Advancing Organizational Equity (AOE) Toolkit reflect our ongoing commitment to developing and celebrating diverse public health leaders.  

Other Key Initiatives and Milestones 

In 2024, NASTAD achieved significant milestones across various public health initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to equity and innovation. 

• PrEP Access Resources Expansion: NASTAD continued to lead in HIV prevention with the expansion of its PrEP/PEP access resources, including the launch of the Third-Party TelePrEP Programs guide and the National PrEP and PEP Assistance Program Microsite. These tools will streamline access to PrEP and address barriers to uptake. The organization also hosted webinars on implementing long-acting injectable PrEP, helping health departments prepare for innovative prevention strategies.
• Capacity-Building for Harm Reduction Programs: NASTAD provided technical assistance to health departments and community-based organizations to enhance syringe services programs (SSPs) and other harm reduction initiatives. These efforts, including the 2024 Southern SSP Institute, the Patient Navigation for People Who Use Drugs Microsite, the Role of Housing in Improving Health Outcomes and HIV Care Continuity for People Who Use Drugs resource guide, and the Past, Present, and Possible Futures of the Methadone Treatment System webinar series, offered best practices for outreach, engagement, and delivery of services to people who use drugs.  
• Training and Resources for HIV and Hepatitis Prevention Professionals: The organization hosted webinars and developed educational materials on HIV and Hepatitis prevention strategies, including the EHE Innovation and Best Practices Microsite, the Southern CDR Video Series, and the Managing Power Dynamics within the Coalition toolkit. These initiatives strengthened the capacity of health departments and CBOs to address the needs of people living with and impacted by HIV and hepatitis. 
• Focus on Equity: In addition to the initiatives catalyzed by the 2024-2025 Chair’s Challenge above, NASTAD continued to prioritize underserved and disproportionately affected populations. By re-publishing resources with Spanish translations, including the Social Media Materials from Bevel Up and the Trauma-Informed Approaches Toolkit newest appendix, Trauma-Informed Approaches to Status Neutrality, NASTAD renewed its commitment to bridging gaps in access and outcomes across the organization. 
• Advocacy and Partnerships: As a proud sponsor of the Howard University International Conference on Stigma, NASTAD played a vital role in shaping the dialogue on stigma reduction, reinforcing its commitment to addressing stigma as a barrier to health equity and access. 
• Reports: NASTAD’s National RWHAP Part B ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report documents key trends, challenges, and successes faced by state and territorial AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) ensuring equitable access to antiretroviral therapy and other essential medicines for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) nationally. 

NASTAD’s 2024 Meetings 

Our events brought together public health leaders and stakeholders to collaborate, share knowledge, and drive innovation.

NASTAD's 2024 Annual Meeting, held in May 2024, addressed the challenges and opportunities health departments are currently facing in administering HIV and hepatitis programs. Key sessions highlighted emerging trends in public health, the Chair’s Challenge, and equity-driven strategies. Breakout sessions fostered meaningful dialogue, while attendees celebrated the contributions of NASTAD members, staff, and partners. 

NASTAD’s 2024 National HIV & Hepatitis Technical Assistance Meeting was held in October 2024 and the theme was “Call to Action: Investing in BIPOC Leadership.” This gathering brought together health department leaders and community partners to share best practices, with a special focus on BIPOC communities and equity-driven strategies. One session, among many, that resonated with NASTAD staff and attendees alike was, “A National Strategy to End the Syndemic of HIV, STIs, and Viral Hepatitis and its Impact on Indigenous Communities,” which spotlighted the work of Indigenous people and communities who are impacted by HIV, viral hepatitis, and the impact of infectious disease on people who use drugs, emphasizing the importance of culturally responsive public health approaches.

Looking Ahead to 2025 

While 2024 was a year of growth and impact, much work remains. In 2025, NASTAD will continue to expand PrEP access and public health equity tools, deepen our commitment to the Chair’s Challenge by amplifying Black women and BIPOC voices, and forge partnerships and initiatives to address systemic inequities. 

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the members, staff, and partners who made 2024 a transformative year. Together, we will continue to break barriers, build bridges, and create a healthier, more equitable world in 2025 and beyond. 

In Memoriam 

We would like to close by remembering the leaders we lost in 2024. We honor the memories of Cecilia Gentili and A. Cornelius Baker, whose invaluable contributions to health equity and advocacy have left a lasting legacy.