Save the Date, Jan. 13 Research Workshop: Strengthening the Cascade of Care

Strengthening the Cascade, a research workshop for Boston University scientists to share experiences and ideas for work on the cascade of care, at home and globally, will be held Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2016.

The goal of this half-­day workshop is to create new collaborations that bring together faculty and investigators from all across the university and to identify promising ideas for joint research grants and projects.

The concept of the “cascade of care” for chronic diseases is gaining prominence in research on service delivery for HIV, TB and Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) treatment globally. From initial screening and diagnosis, to initiation of effective therapy, to treatment completion or lifelong retention, health systems around the world are struggling with the challenge of how to retain patients in life-saving care.

Around BU, researchers are working on diverse aspects of this problem, from new approaches to HIV treatment initiation in South Africa, to the relationship between addiction treatment and HIV medical care in Russia, to how to link HCV patients to treatment and how to screen for latent TB infection in Boston. This work is taking place in disparate locations throughout BU, creating an unrealized potential for collaboration and cross-disciplinary learning.

The workshop program will focus on three steps in the cascade of care for HIV, TB and HCV:

  •   Case finding (screening, identification, diagnosis) and initial linkage to care;
  •   Initiation of effective treatment; and
  •   Retention in care until treatment completion or for life.

For each step, there will be brief presentations of current and recent research by BU scientists. Over lunch and in the following sessions, groups of participants will then propose and discuss new ideas and opportunities for collaboration. Lunch will be provided.

All BU-­affiliated faculty, students, and staff are invited to attend. Additional information will be provided in November. If you would like to present your research at the workshop, please contact Dr. Jeffrey Samet or Professor Sydney Rosen.