BESAFE event highlights urgent STI trends and prevention strategies
On June 27, 2025, the John D. Bower School of Population Health hosted B.E.S.A.F.E: STI and Syphilis Update, a full-day educational event dedicated to confronting the growing STI epidemic in Mississippi. Designed to inform, engage, and equip attendees with the latest knowledge, the event welcomed faculty, students, healthcare professionals, and community members to engage in critical conversations around sexual health.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Mauda Monger, Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health Science, who welcomed attendees and set the tone for a day centered on public health urgency and collaborative action.
The keynote address, “Syphilis in Mississippi: Trends, Challenges, and Solutions,” was delivered by Dr. Thomas Dobbs, Dean of the School of Population Health. Dr. Dobbs shared recent surveillance data and offered a sobering overview of the syphilis resurgence across the state. His talk emphasized the need for cross-sector partnerships and community-based strategies to reduce transmission and address systemic barriers to care.
Breakout sessions followed, offering focused insight into clinical and public health responses:
Dr. Aubri Hickman (Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases) led the “HIV 101” session, providing a foundational overview of HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment tailored for diverse audiences and providers.
Dr. Utsav Nandi, Associate Professor in Adult Emergency Medicine, presented “STIs: Updates in Emergency Medicine,” highlighting emerging STI trends and best practices for emergency care providers working on the frontlines of detection and treatment.
B.E.S.A.F.E., which stands for Be Educated: Sexual Awareness for Everyone, embodies SOPH’s commitment to community-responsive education and health equity. Events like this underscore the School’s leadership in advancing sexual health through research, outreach and informed policy.