HIV in the South & Its Impact on Black Women

Photo courtesy of Maisha Standifer When we think about the HIV epidemic, the focus often falls on major cities and global initiatives, but there’s an urgent crisis brewing in the South, particularly for Black women. BlackDoctor.org spoke with Dr. Maisha Standifer, a champion of health equity and Director of Population Health at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, who is on the front lines of this fight. Through her work, she’s tackling the alarming disparities in HIV diagnosis and treatment faced by Black women in the South, using a mix of community outreach, cutting-edge prevention strategies, and advocacy for policy change. Her personal mission? To reshape the narrative around HIV and health care, creating spaces for Black women to thrive despite the odds.  Q: Can you give us an overview of your journey and your current work at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute? Dr. Standifer: My journey has been one of passion and commitment to public health. I’m currently the Population Health Director at the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine, where our focus is on addressing health disparities, particularly in vulnerable and marginalized populations in the South. We’re especially dedicated to combating...