Reflections on an epidemic: HIV in Japan and Okinawa today

During this event, Ben Collins and Dr. Hideta Nakamura will talk about the HIV epidemic, giving special attention to the situation in Okinawa and Japan today.

- The first part of this session will focus on the history of the HIV epidemic and highlights some of the recent advances in the fight against HIV.

- In the second part, the invited speakers will talk about cultural implications of HIV infections and the stigmata attached to the virus.

At the end there will be room for questions and discussion.

(Presented by the OIST LGBTQ+ Allies group)

Zoom information

For those who want to attend remotely:

Zoom link
Meeting ID: 965 9453 6244
Passcode: 231129

Biography

Ben Collins

Ben Collins has been a community organiser for over 50 years, a networker, project collaborator and convener. His key area of interest is movement building to prevent and respond to interconnected social and health issues, including structural inequity, neurodivergence, stigma, trauma and HIV and related conditions, as they interplay with gender, race, sexual minorities and substance use.

Based in London, Ben is co-director and partnerships lead at ReShape/IHP promoting sexual health, mental well-being, social equity and justice. He is a co-founder and team member of the Chemsex Forum. He serves as EATG’s board treasurer; a EuroTEST steering committee member and European Testing Week working group co-chair; a scientific committee member for EACS’ WAVE (Women Against Viruses in Europe), and collaborator/partner with the SHE (Science, Health, Education) Centre.

He is a chemsex veteran and responder, scores 4+ on ACEs, has been diagnosed with ADHD-combined type, HIV+ since 1982 and undetectable since 1998.

Ben Collins’ work and collaborations are a source of inspiration, and through his sustained efforts, he continues with dedicated partners and guides towards creating healthier and more inclusive communities.

Hideta Nakamura, M.D., PhD

Dr. Hideta Nakamura is an attending physician in HIV Medicine at the University Hospital of the Ryukyus, and an assistant professor at the First Department of Internal Medicine, University of the Ryukyus Graduate School of Medicine. Hideta worked on respiratory medicine and infectious disease, receiving his doctorate from the University of the Ryukyus in 2011 for work on serological diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia. He also worked as a visiting research fellow at Imperial College of London between 2016 and 2018.

Hideta is a board-certified Japanese infectious disease specialist and a member of the Japanese Society of AIDS Research (JSAR) European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS). His recent interest is frailty in people living with HIV. He recently contributed to a MOU between EACS and JSAR.

Questions

Contact us via e-mail for more details.