2019 Annual Report Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS

• Monica D. Ulibarri, PhD (Chair)
• Jessica McDermott Sales, PhD (Chair-Elect)
• Jennifer Brown, PhD
• David Moore, PhD
• Travis Lovejoy, PhD, MPH
• Iván Balán, PhD

Mission

The mission of the Committee on Psychology and AIDS (COPA), an ad hoc committee that reports directly to the American Psychological Association (APA) Board for the Advancement of Psychology in the Public Interest (BAPPI), is to guide the development and implementation of APA's organizational response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  Consistent with the mission, it is committed to the ongoing pursuit of the following objectives: (1) to educate psychologists and society at large on the various and unique contributions psychology can make to the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic; (2) to encourage and support psychologists in their efforts toward eliminating this epidemic through effective strategies of preventive education and intervention; (3) to stimulate behavioral research in a variety of areas associated with HIV prevention and mental health services for persons affected by HIV/AIDS; (4) to facilitate linkages between APA, behavioral researchers, medical researchers and community-based organizations for the purpose of coordinating and improving HIV-related research and mental health services; (5) to create educational resources about HIV/AIDS for APA members and the public; and, (6) to provide guidance and direction for APA HIV/AIDS advocacy activities at federal, state and local levels.

Meetings

Monthly

• Jan 10, 2019 4:00 PM
• Feb 14, 2019 4:00 PM
• Mar 14, 2019 4:00 PM
• Apr 11, 2019 4:00 PM
• May 9, 2019 4:00 PM
• Jun 13, 2019 4:00 PM
• Jul 11, 2019 4:00 PM
• Aug 8, 2019 4:00 PM
• Sep 12, 2019 4:00 PM
• Oct 10, 2019 4:00 PM
• Nov 14, 2019 4:00 PM
• Dec 12, 2019 4:00 PM

Spring Consolidated Meeting

March 29 - 31, 2019

Fall Consolidated Meeting

Sept. 26 - 27, 2019

COPA aspires to involve a diverse group of psychologists, including persons of color, persons of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities, disabilities and persons living with HIV. Additionally, committee membership typically represents a range of areas of expertise or specialization within psychology and across career stages.

In 2019, COPA’s membership was diverse in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, and sexual orientation – one Latina woman; one Asian man; one Latino man who identifies as gay; two Caucasian women; and one Caucasian man. One member was an early career psychologist.

There was a total of 31 activities that the Ad Hoc Committee on Psychology and AIDS participated or initiated in 2019.

Table 1

Figure 1

Addressing the opioid and HIV epidemics among low-income people in rural communities. Symposium presented at the 2019 APA Convention, Chicago, IL.  (See also Collaborative Meetings)

This symposium presented cutting-edge clinical insights and empirical research to foster a stronger understanding of the ways research can be translated to improve the provision of substance use and HIV prevention and treatment. The presentations in this symposium addressed provider-level barriers (e.g., knowledge, training, stigma), the use of technology to overcome structural barriers (e.g., transportation, naloxone distribution), and harnessing existing infrastructures to intervene with opioid misuse. The first talk (Fayth M. Parks, PhD, Georgia Southern University; 2017 COPA Chair) presented findings on provider-level factors that impact the provision of integrated care in low-income rural settings. The second talk (Kasey R. Claborn, PhD (University of Texas at Austin) presented acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy data of a digital platform for integrated HIV and substance use treatment in rural settings. The third talk (Iva GreyWolf, PhD; Committee on Socioeconomic Status) provided insights on how to harness and improve existing infrastructures to holistically address these intersecting epidemics. The discussion was led by Dr. Richard Jenkins, Health Scientist Administrator, National Institutes of Drug Abuse, focusing on future directions for research, practice, and policy related to combating this public health crisis. Symposium Chair: Monica D. Ulibarri, PhD (COPA Chair); Symposium Co-Sponsor: Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES)

Should we still care? The continued need for behavioral interventions to reduce health disparities in HIV/AIDS. Webinar for the American Psychological Association’s Health Disparities Office.

This webinar was developed for the Health Disparities Office Health Equity Ambassadors Program. The webinar features Monica Ulibarri, PhD (COPA Chair), and Eugene Farber, PhD (past COPA Chair), who discuss the current epidemiology and data regarding HIV disparities; discuss psychological, social, behavioral, environmental, cultural, and structural factors that impact marginalized populations at risk; discuss evidence-based prevention and treatment to include behavioral and biomedical interventions; and discuss the unique role of behavioral health in development and optimization of effective culturally-appropriate approaches and the integration of medical care and health service delivery. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=El_QBkHhJ2M

Race and Ethnicity Guidelines in Psychology: Promoting Responsiveness and Equity

In January 2019, COPA members reviewed and provided comments on the proposed APA updated guidelines on race and ethnicity in psychology: promoting responsiveness and equity.

Request for Information (RFI): Improving Efficiency, Effectiveness, Coordination, and Accountability of HIV and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Care, and Treatment Programs

February 2019, Leo Rennie requested that COPA review and send him a statement of COPA’s recommendations in response to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services request for comments on improving the efficiency, effectiveness, coordination, and accountability of HIV and viral Hepatitis prevention, care, and treatment programs (formerly known as the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan (NVHAP) which expire in 2020).  Dr. Iván Balán collected feedback from COPA members and finalized COPA’s statement which was forwarded to Mr. Rennie in March 2019. (See also Item #1 of Advocacy)

Spring Consolidated Meeting Cross Cutting Agenda Item CC-1: Felony Question on Membership Application: Call for Comments

COPA reviewed this item and developed written comments which were submitted to the Ethics Committee. 

Spring Consolidated Meeting Cross Cutting Agenda Item CC-2: Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct Core Principles: Call for Comments

COPA provided input on the core principles identified in the current Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct from the Ethics Code Task Force.

Spring Consolidated Meeting Cross Cutting Agenda Item CC-3: Board Member Characteristics: Call for Comments

COPA reviewed and provided recommendations on new Board Member characteristics.

Spring Consolidated Meeting Cross Cutting Agenda Item CC-4: APA Advocacy Priorities: Call for Comments

COPA provided suggestions to the Advocacy Coordinating Committee regarding advocacy priorities that promote psychology and psychologists.

Spring Consolidated Meeting Cross Cutting Agenda Item CC-5: Guidelines for Psychological Practice for People with Low-Income and Economic Marginalization: Recommendation to Adopt as APA Policy

COPA reviewed this item and provided feedback to the Task Force on Developing Guidelines for Psychological Practice for People with Low-income and Economic Marginalization.

“Beyond Inclusion” Video Series Review

The Office on Disability Issues in Psychology asked COPA to review and provide feedback on two specific videos from the Beyond Inclusion video series. COPA members reviewed the videos in July and provided feedback to the Office on Disability Issues in Psychology in August.

Resolution on Supporting Sexual/Gender Diverse Children and Adolescents in Schools

COPA reviewed, discussed, and prepared recommendations and comments during their Fall Consolidated Meeting for submission to the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. COPA unanimously voted that Council approve the revised resolution as APA policy.

Resolution on Opposing Discriminatory Laws, Policies, and Practices Aimed at LGBTQ+ Persons

COPA reviewed, discussed, and prepared recommendations and comments during their Fall Consolidated Meeting for submission to the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. COPA unanimously voted that Council approve the revised resolution as APA policy.

Resolution on Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity (SOGI), Parents and their Children

COPA reviewed, discussed, and prepared recommendations and comments during their Fall Consolidated Meeting for submission to the Committee on Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity. COPA unanimously voted that Council approve the revised resolution as APA policy.

APA Virtual and In-Person Meetings Feedback

Following the November Fall Consolidated meeting, Dr. Milton Fuentes (BAPPI Liaison to COPA) requested feedback from COPA regarding APA virtual and in-person meetings; COPA members provided feedback via email to Dr. Ulibarri (Chair). Dr. Ulibarri then forwarded a summary of COPA’s feedback to Dr. Fuentes, who submitted these comments to BAPPI.

Psychology and Leadership Awards

The Psychology and Leadership Awards are given in two categories, emerging and distinguished leaders, in one or more areas of influence: service provision; research; teaching/mentoring and policy/advocacy. See: https://www.apa.org/about/awards/copa-leadership?tab=1. Two awards were presented in 2019:

Distinguished Leader

Daniel Parker, PhD, received the 2019 Psychology and AIDS Leadership Award as a Distinguished Leader for “years of compassionate service to improve the lives of people living with HIV through clinical work, research, policy and advocacy efforts, and teaching and mentoring the next generation of HIV researchers and service providers.”

Emerging Leader

Valerie A. Earnshaw, PhD, received the 2019 Psychology and AIDS Leadership Award as an Emerging Leader for "contributions to understanding and addressing the mechanisms underlying HIV stigma through research, policy work, and advocacy.”  

Board of Directors Workgroup to develop new Ad Hoc Committee on Health Equity

            Travis Lovejoy (COPA member), was nominated and approved to be COPA’s representative on the Board of Directors Workgroup on Integrating HIV/AIDS in to the Ad Hoc Committee on Health Equity.

Resolution on Combination Biomedical and Behavioral Approaches to Optimize HIV Prevention (2019) (PDF, 64KB)opens in new window
During 2019, COPA finalized updates to the 2012 APA resolution on combination biomedical and behavioral approaches to optimize HIV prevention and put forward the 2019 revised resolution for comments and recommendation for approval by APA Boards and Committees prior to the SCM. During their June meeting, The Council Leadership Team reviewed the resolution and recommended Council approval. During its August meeting, the APA Council of Representatives approved this resolution as APA policy. 

Resolution on Drug Abuse Treatment to Prevent HIV Among People Who Inject Drugs (2019) (PDF, 67KB)opens in new window
During 2019, COPA finalized updates to the 2006 APA resolution on drug abuse treatment to prevent HIV among people who inject drugs and put forward the 2019 revised resolution for comments and recommendation for approval by APA Boards and Committees prior to the SCM. During their June meeting, The Council Leadership Team reviewed the resolution and recommended Council approval. During its August meeting, the APA Council of Representatives approved this resolution. 

Resolution on U.S.-Based Legal Liability Related to Confidentiality and the Prevention of HIV Transmission (2019) (PDF, 38KB)opens in new window
During 2019, COPA finalized updates to the 1991 APA resolution on U.S.-based legal liability related to confidentiality and the prevention of HIV transmission and put forward the 2019 revised resolution for comments and recommendation for approval by APA Boards and Committees prior to the SCM. During their June meeting, The Council Leadership Team reviewed the resolution and recommended Council approval. During its August meeting, the APA Council of Representatives approved this resolution. 

Resolution on Neuropsychological Assessment of Persons Living with HIV Infection (2019) (PDF, 51KB)opens in new window
During 2019, COPA finalized updates to the 1991 APA resolution on neuropsychological assessment of persons living with HIV infection and put forward the 2019 revised resolution for comments and recommendation for approval by APA Boards and Committees prior to the SCM. During their June meeting, The Council Leadership Team reviewed the resolution and recommended Council approval. During its August meeting, the APA Council of Representatives approved this resolution.

Request for Information (RFI): Improving Efficiency, Effectiveness, Coordination, and Accountability of HIV and Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Care, and Treatment Programs

In February 2019, Leo Rennie requested that COPA review and  make recommendations in response to the Department of Health and Human Services request for comments on improving the efficiency, effectiveness, coordination, and accountability of HIV and viral Hepatitis prevention, care, and treatment programs (formerly known as the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) and the National Viral Hepatitis Action Plan (NVHAP) which expire in 2020).  Dr. Iván Balán collected feedback from COPA members and finalized COPA’s statement which was forwarded to Mr. Rennie in March 2019.

“The Wrong Way to Eradicate HIV: President Trump wants to End the Epidemic. So Why is He Cutting Funds to Front-line Clinics?” OpEd in Politico online magazine

Jessica McDermott Sales, PhD (COPA Chair-elect) wrote an op-ed for  Politico (as a professional working in the field of HIV and behavioral health at Emory University) regarding the lack of funding in HIV/AIDS care and prevention. (See also Publications). https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2019/04/03/hiv-epidemic-united-states-000887

Addressing the opioid and HIV epidemics among low-income people in rural communities. Symposium presented at the 2019 APA Convention, Chicago, IL. (See also Presentations)

COPA Chair, Monica Ulibarri, had several collaborative meetings with Drs. Ryan Pickering and Iva GreyWolf from the Committee on Socioeconomic Status (CSES) to develop the content for the 2019 APA symposium titled “Addressing the opioid and HIV epidemics among low-income people in rural communities.”

HIV Prevention and Treatment Resources Specific to Rural Communities – Collaboration with the Committee on Rural Health (See also Publications)

COPA member, Jessica McDermott Sales, had several collaborative meetings with members of the Committee on Rural Health (CRH) to co-develop a resource and education information sheet on HIV and rural issues that will be posted on CRH’s APA webpage. The final information sheet was submitted to CRH in November 2019.

Communications collaborative meeting with Efua Andoh, Assistant Director, APA Communications and Special Projects, Public Interest Directorate Communications

In October, COPA met with Efua Andoh to discuss communication strategies regarding the four HIV resolutions recently revised by COPA and passed by Council in August 2019.  The Resolution on Combination Biomedical and Behavioral Approaches to Optimize HIV Preventionopens in new window will be woven into the upcoming APA Monitor on Psychology article on ending the epidemic, particularly regarding PrEP.  The Good Practice magazine will develop an article on the Resolution on Neuropsychological Assessment of Persons Living with HIV Infectionopens in new window and consequently may reach out to COPA for expertise. The Resolution on U.S.-Based Legal Liability Related to Confidentiality and the Prevention of HIV Transmissionopens in new window could be a potential ethics column for the APA Monitor. The Resolution on Drug Abuse Treatment to Prevent HIV Among People Who Inject Drugsopens in new window will stay on the radar for the future and may be integrated with other efforts (e.g., opioid use).

APA Leadership Training Day, Fall Consolidated Meeting

Drs. Monica Ulibarri (Chair) and Jessica McDermott Sales (Chair-Elect) attended the 2019 Leadership Training Day at the Fall Consolidated Meeting in Washington, D.C.