A Reimagined Summit for the Public Health Workforce
Join NMAC’s 10th Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit (BHPS) in Chicago, April 8-10, 2026.
The Summit was launched by NMAC in 2016 to advance PrEP access for communities most-impacted by HIV. We are the nation’s only convening dedicated to translating complex scientific discoveries and biomedical solutions into effective healthcare delivery for the HIV and public health workforce. This is the place where science meets action—translating cutting-edge research into real-world strategies for HIV prevention.
In its 10th year, the 2026 Summit is set to expand its focus by addressing HIV from a syndemic, whole-person perspective and is integrating the broader clinical and public health workforce (see audiences below). As we celebrate a decade of progress, we’re reimagining what’s possible. This is our moment to embrace a whole-person approach to prevention—because HIV does not exist in isolation, and neither should our solutions.
This year’s theme, “The Syndemic Approach—Strengthening the HIV and Public Health Workforce” centers the clinical, community, and broader public health workforce as key partners in the effort to improve overall health among HIV affected communities and communities with the poorest health outcomes.
Using systems thinking, syndemic and whole-person theory, and organizational development and management strategies, the Summit will serve as a training and recruitment hub that strengthens the technical and leadership skills of the clinical, community, and public health workforce, as well as a pipeline to recruit new public and global health professionals.
The 2026 Summit is about breaking silos and building bridges
Inclusion & Expansion
Bringing clinicians into the conversation to broaden the public health paradigm
Complex Lens
Addressing HIV alongside the interconnected health challenges faced by the same communities including other STI’s and access to early diagnosis and treatment
Integration
Connecting policy, technology, and health communications to understand how care delivery impacts lives
Innovation
Advancing biomedical strategies for prevention and treatment as prevention.
Equitable Access
Ensuring communities most impacted by HIV receive the services they deserve.
Policy Education
Equipping advocates and providers with the tools to influence change.
Public-Private Partnerships
Strengthening the workforce and expanding our reach.
Community-Centric and Enhancing
Enhance community models to strengthen health systems.
2026 Summit Goals
- Elevate technical skills of the public health and clinical workforces to serve as front-line leaders in HIV prevention and integrated whole-person care.
- Expand engagement of clinical providers cadres who assess, counsel, treat, and refer patients for preventative care.
- Provide a recruitment pipeline to increase representation of members from the global majority and rural communities into the clinical and public health workforces.
- Reframe HIV prevention in ways that leverage systems thinking theory and align with syndemic strategies to improve health response systems.
- Focus Upstream by developing the public health and clinical workforces’ skills to identify, respond to, and deconstruct the political determinants fueling the HIV epidemic and broader health inequities.
Taking a “Syndemic” Approach
What is a syndemic? Simply put: Synergy + Epidemic = Syndemic
A public health term that refers to a situation where multiple health problems happen at the same time and interact with each other, making things worse for the people affected. These problems aren’t just biological—they’re also shaped by social, economic, and environmental factors like poverty, discrimination, or lack of access to healthcare.
By converging intersectional issues affecting a whole-person’s health, the 2026 Summit’s programming is an in-depth opportunity for an integrated approach to optimal wellbeing for our communities. The 10th Biomedical Summit isn’t just another conference—it’s a call to action. It’s where the HIV and public health workforce comes together to reimagine prevention, strengthen systems, and build a future of health equity.
By converging intersectional issues affecting a whole-person’s health, the 2026 Summit’s programming is an in-depth opportunity for an integrated approach to optimal wellbeing for our communities.
Focusing on “Implementation Science”
What is implementation science?
A public health research term, “implementation science” is the scientific study of methods and strategies that facilitate the uptake of evidence-based practice and research into regular use by practitioners and policymakers.
By providing an in-depth exploration of these efforts and challenges, the Summit aims to prepare its audience for ongoing and future work needed to end the HIV epidemic.
Expanding Our Audiences
NMAC aims to expand participation among direct-care providers and frontline clinicians in community-based and rural settings. The Summit will engage professionals and organizations in clinical or adjacent roles, including:
- HIV/STI Testers
- PrEP Navigators
- Linkage coordinators
- Clinicians (MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs)
- Nurses
- Pharmacists and Pharm Technicians
- Dentists and Dental Hygienists
- Social Workers
- Substance Use Counselors
- Mental Health Professionals
- Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists
- Community Health Workers
- Health Department Professionals
- Clinic Administrators
- Non-Profit Professionals
- Academic Researchers
- Medical Students
Agenda & Tracks
The agenda, featuring content in both English and Spanish, converges FIVE tracks centered around the theme “The Syndemic Approach—Strengthening the HIV and Public Health Workforce.”
TRACK 1: Systems Thinking & A Syndemic Response
TRACK 2 : Technology, Data & Innovation
TRACK 3: Health Outcome Determinants
TRACK 4: Health Equity & Policy Education
TRACK 5: Health Communication & Simulation Labs
Registration Categories & Rates
The federal rate only applies to federal employees and meals are not included. Only official employees of the federal government may qualify for the federal rate. The rate does not apply to members of city/state/county governments or organizations that receive federal grants.
Venue & Room Rate
Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile
540 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
Hotel Room Rate:
NMAC has secured a discounted room rate of $218 per night + 17.4% state and local taxes.
Sponsors & Exhibitors
Sponsoring the Summit connects you with a diverse group of decision makers, and gives you a forum to share your organization’s message and expertise to the thousands of attendees that are expected to be in attendance.
Additionally, your sponsorship allows the Summit to create innovative programming, and funds scholarships to people affected by HIV/AIDS. Make sure that you are present to have important conversations with leaders, decision makers, and front-line service providers!
To begin a conversation about sponsorship, contact NMAC’s Chief Development Officer, Jennifer Bledsoe at Jbledsoe@nmac.org
Contact
For information, updates, and questions about NMAC’s 2026 Biomedical HIV Prevention Summit, please email Conferences@NMAC.org
