About the HIV/AIDS Programs

The American Psychological Association's HIV/AIDS Programs in the Health Disparities Office provides information, training and technical assistance on a wide range of HIV/AIDS-related topics associated with coping, mental health services, prevention, technology transfer, community collaboration, public policy and ethics.

Supporting the APA Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS

The HIV/AIDS Programs provides staff support for the APA Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS (COPA), which reports directly to the APA Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest. In August 1990, the APA Board of Directors and Council of Representatives approved funding for COPA for three years. COPA was charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Provide policy direction and oversight for current APA activities related to AIDS.

2. Advise APA staff and establish liaisons with governance groups regarding AIDS issues.

3. Formulate new APA initiatives to meet the continually changing challenges posed by the epidemic.

Presently, COPA is reauthorized every five years.

The APA HIV/AIDS Programs collaborates with the APA Government Relations Offices in advocating for the development and implementation of national policies that support behavioral and social science HIV/AIDS research and science-based mental health service delivery and education. Briefing sheets and background information related to emerging HIV/AIDS policy issues and developed and distributed to APA members, members of Congress and federal agency officials.

HIV/AIDS Programs staff respond to inquiries from APA members, other behavioral and social science researchers and practitioners, community-based organizations, federal agencies and state and local departments of health. Staff routinely provide information, training, technical assistance, and referrals in the areas of HIV/AIDS-related research, mental health services, ethics, education and policy.

The HIV/AIDS Programs produces and disseminates a variety of publications of interest to HIV/AIDS practitioners, researchers and educators.

• Behavioral Medicine : Biopsychosocial Challenges of Older Adults Living with HIV  
• American Psychologist ^® Special Issue:  HIV/AIDS:  Social Determinants and Health Disparities 

Read brief biographies and get email addresses for HIV/AIDS Programs staff.