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Dr. Hader Has Her Say: Part Two -- An Exclusive InterviewBy Candace Y.A. Montague February 1, 2011
The Department of Health's HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Administration has been in existence (under several other names) since the mid 1980's. HAHSTA's reputation has been embrued by scandal, mismanagement, political battles, financial turmoil and high leadership turnover rates. Dr. Shannon Hader was the twelfth person to hold the senior administrator position. In spite of the negative press and disappointments that arose during her watch (such as the report that showed that DC's HIV infection rate was and still is 3%), she put on a brave face and met the challenge. Part two of the interview reveals what her last day at HAHSTA was like and the advice she offers her successor. As we both know, the HIV epidemic is accelerated by non-biological factors such as unemployment, housing, domestic violence, poverty, lack of comprehensive sex education, stigma, etc. What two issues would you advise the next senior administrator to tackle first? Certainly all the issues you list are important. And many of the structural factors -- unemployment, housing, poverty, domestic violence -- are exacerbated during the economic crisis and hard times we're in. They need addressing city-wide and from the highest political leadership, not just from HAHSTA and not just in terms of HIV. But one issue, in good times or bad, that remains a huge problem in DC is stigma. The stigma and silence that go hand and hand cripples communities from becoming "experts" to pro-actively address HIV, and they severely impact persons living with HIV who can be afraid to disclose and seek support even from their closest friends or families. HIV is not going to simply disappear -- so we shouldn't accept that stigma should be allowed to go on as is and be a continued barrier to an empowered response. Second, in good times or bad, it's important to keep making progress in comprehensive health education (including sex education) for youth, so that they become adults building healthy habits over their lifetimes. What was your last day at HAHSTA like? I don't like goodbyes, so the "last day" was always going to be difficult. What was nice is that as HAHSTA, we were able to have an all-staff meeting that really reflected on the collective three years of change and progress we'd been through together. I'm not sure folks on the "outside" always get to see the dedication and resilience of the many staff "inside" of HAHSTA. There's a passion and a commitment to hang in there. So it was a good time to share and reflect on that. What are you doing now? I'm Vice President and Director of the Center for Health Systems and Solutions for Futures Group, a global health and development organization. We work in over 35 countries across arrange of topics, including HIV/AIDS but also poverty/equity, gender, family planning, population studies, and many more. A key theme is helping leaders, technical experts, and community members use the best evidence for designing and implementing health policies and programs. I've gotten to re-visit countries I've worked in before, such as South Africa, but also engage with new countries, including Afghanistan, India, and Swaziland. It's been amazing to see on the ground how successful our programs in Afghanistan are in increasing access to and use of products to build health children and families -- you don't always read about our Afghanistan success stories in the news. Is there anything else you would like to say? Just that now is not the time to relax or put our HIV response in DC on "pause" because of competing needs. Nationally, as state and local governments face budget pressures, many HIV programs are getting cut. Over the last few years, DC has become a place where many of our colleagues turn for ideas and discussion on HIV leadership and innovation. If the District show aggressive dedication to continuing to move forward, it has the opportunity to lead and influence other cities and states to do the same. And with the 2012 International AIDS Conference coming to DC, certainly the eyes of the world will be on us. The consequences of inaction, and the opportunities for success are both extremely high. I urge us to demand success. To read part one of this interview, click here. Recommended ReadingDr. Shannon Hader Resigns as City's Top HIV/AIDS Administrator The View From the Rearview: AIDS in DC 2010 Part One AIDS Vote 2010: Vince Gray -- Part One Get e-mail notifications every time Candace's blog is updated.
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D.C. HIV/AIDS Examiner  Candace Y.A. Montague Candace Y.A. Montague has been learning about HIV since 1988 (and she has the certificates from the American Red Cross to prove it). Health is a high priority to Candace because she believes that nothing can come of your life if you're not healthy enough to enjoy it. One of her two master's degrees is in Community Health Promotion and Education. Candace was inspired to act against HIV after seeing a documentary in 2008 about African-American women and HIV. She knew that writing was the best way for her to make a difference and help inform others. Candace is a native Washingtonian and covers HIV news all around D.C. She has covered fundraisers, motorcycle rides, town hall meetings, house balls, Capitol Hill press conferences, election campaigns and protests for The DC Examiner.com and emPower News Magazine. Subscribe to Candace's Blog:
Recent Posts:
April 5, 2013 - The Sexual Health Lessons of Tyler Perry's Tempation: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague
March 25, 2013 - Candace's AIDS News Update: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 11, 2013 - Three Condoms Rule No More: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague March 5, 2013 - HIV Prevention Strategies for Women Proven Ineffective: A Blog Entry by Candace Y.A. Montague February 8, 2013 - Black HIV/AIDS Awareness: Eight Points to Keep in Mind A Brief Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself. |
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