Mon. Dec 23rd, 2024

While decades have passed since HIV/AIDS was the top story on every news broadcast and was quite misunderstood by many, even in the medical community, it still remains a major health issue to this day. Every December 1, we recognize the past struggles, the present progress and the continued future need for prevention on World AIDS Day.

And so, you may ask, ‘Why don’t we hear about HIV/AIDS anymore?’

It’s true, many medical advances have been made in the treatment of HIV and the quality of life for most living with HIV has vastly improved. Both impressive developments make HIV seemingly less newsworthy. However, the fact that every new infection is 100% preventable means that there is still work to be done and awareness to be generated.

My life’s work as an HIV specialist enables me to see first-hand the preventable diagnoses unfold daily. We have all the tools available today to end HIV by 2030, but continue to see new infections. Unfortunately, stigma and discrimination continue to be leading barriers to prevention.

According to HIV.gov approximately 1.2 million people in the United States currently have HIV with an estimated 13% that don’t know their status and need testing and treatment. And while infection rates are continuing to decrease overall, there were still 37,981 new HIV diagnoses in 2022 (the last year for which the CDC reported).

The age-old enemies of stigma and discrimination continue to be major factors in new infections, particularly in specific communities such as Black and brown MSM and transgender populations. In fact, according to the CDC, Black/African Americans and Hispanic/Latino individuals combined made up more than half (70%) of estimated new HIV infections in 2022.

Internalized and external stigma can have major impacts including:

  • Discouraging regular testing
  • Avoiding treatment
  • Discouraging prevention
  • Avoiding open communication with sexual partners

I believe that eliminating barriers because of stigma and discrimination is paramount and that we must keep talking about annual testing (at minimum depending on risk factors) and prevention through PrEP. Education is key, particularly for younger generations that have no memory or knowledge of the original epidemic that started in the 80s. And that treatment for existing HIV patients, so that they remain undetectable, is critical.

In speaking with Stuart Lane, a friend of Health Care Advocates International, long-term survivor and founder of the Mid Fairfield AIDS Project he agrees that times have changed, but there is still work to be done. He notes that life is better than when he was diagnosed over 30 years ago when he became HIV positive due to sharing of needles, a situation that has been almost eliminated due to needle exchange and other harm reduction programs.

Stuart shared with me that his present-day treatment plan is beyond improved and easier (from eight pills to just one daily dose) but noted that doesn’t mean anyone should be “ok” with receiving a diagnosis. Stuart and I talked about one of the things he faces daily — that younger generations don’t feel or recognize the gravity of receiving an HIV diagnosis. He emphasized that HIV is still a disease that you will have to manage forever, and so young people should be intent on preventing it from ever happening.

HCAI continues to create partnerships and programs to help end HIV by 2030. Most recently we announced our partnership with the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (IAPAC) and the Fast Track Cities Initiative (FTCI).

Our partnership with IAPAC and FTC is significant as it expands our reach in the fight against the urban HIV epidemic and stigma and discrimination – a major deterrent in prevention and proper care. As part of this partnership, our team at HCAI will work with IAPAC to host monthly events, both domestically and abroad, in designated Fast-Track Cities. Events will include education opportunities about proactive prevention and facilitate on-site HIV testing all with the mission to help achieve the new UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets.

As we prepare for World AIDS Day at HCAI, we not only remember the 38 million who have died from AIDS worldwide but also focus on the bravery and fortitude with which long-term survivors have faced this disease. We celebrate the progress in treatment and acknowledge the need for continued education and awareness. We shine a spotlight on fighting LGBTQ+, HIV and PrEP discrimination. And we thoughtfully consider how to address prevention with today’s younger generations who, with the knowledge, can make the choice to avoid a life with HIV.

We invite you to visit HCAI’s HIV Advocacy page to learn more about our mission to end HIV by 2030. Become a Stigma Warrior and tell us your HIV story to help others.

Gary Blick, PhD, is the founder of Health Care Advocates International in Stratford.

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