HIV: The Road to Zero
Here we are again, at the end of the year and preparing to embark on another, or in the words of John Lennon, “another year over and a new one just begun.” In my role within public health, I once again find myself sitting in my office and reflecting on our current status in the HIV epidemic – what we can celebrate and where we can we improve, and that reflection identifies both change and stasis and a continued need for prevention.
First and foremost, HIV is still around. Please, allow me to repeat myself, HIV is still out there! We will likely diagnose around 80 new infections in Salt Lake County residents in 2011. There still is no cure for HIV. This year it was disclosed that an HIV-positive man from Berlin, who also suffered from Leukemia received a bone-marrow stem-cell transplant in 2007 from an individual who was likely immune to HIV. (It is hypothesized that up to 1 percent of the Caucasian population may have a natural immunity to HIV). Nonetheless, this year, at the five-year mark, the “Berlin patient” is continuing to show no sign of HIV infection. He does show signs of neurological difficulties as a result of the surgery. What has occurred with the “Berlin patient” is not considered to be a plausible cure for HIV; although it does give many some reason for hope, it also gives a false sense of security that HIV will be a curable virus in the near future.
We continue to have HIV anti-retrovirals that are extremely effective in protecting those with HIV from advancing to AIDS. There seems to be increasing difficulty in distributing drugs to everyone in need because, in part, the funding for the drugs is being reduced. Federal and state-funded programs such as Ryan White and medicaid that are designed to help uninsured and under-insured HIV patients with medical and drug-related costs have received significant budgetary cuts in recent years. Making all of this feel worse to those who are already infected is the simple fact that new infections continue to occur at a consistent rate, this results in more people needing help.
This year marked the 30th anniversary of the HIV epidemic, and Dec. 1 marked the 23rd annual observance of World AIDS Day, which is now the longest-running disease awareness and prevention initiative of its kind in the history of public health. I like to think that the negative stigma around HIV that was so common back in the 1980s and 1990s is becoming non-existent. I still hear stories from patients that it does occur, and I also hear stories of incredible compassion and support. I know that the fear of discrimination is real for those with HIV.
This year in celebration of World AIDS Day, the Salt Lake Valley Health Department adopted the theme HIV: Forgotten But Not Gone. We realized that it is time to re-ignite the flame around HIV prevention, no pun intended, really! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention came out with some new initiatives in 2011 to better focus on HIV prevention. HIV prevention actually made it to the CDC’s priority list known as Healthy People 2020. The objectives include prevention education among men who have sex with men, which is incredible news! The prevention goal for the entire country is getting to zero new infections. Public health at the highest level is sending out the message to local and state health departments and the community at large that HIV and the well-being of the gay community is everyone’s priority. I can actually expect to sit around during planning meetings with other program staff and talk about health issues that affect the gay community and expect people to look me in the eye, to not look away from me.
My hope is that we can capitalize on this renewed and positive vigor around HIV in 2012 and beyond. My hope is that everyone is on board, that we work together to get to a year with zero new infections. During my reflection, I came to the realization that if we can get to zero new infections, if we can all step up to meet this goal, then we can all focus on helping those who are already impacted by this infection to be able to access the best care possible and to ensure a quality of life.
The Salt Lake Valley Health Department offers free HIV testing the first Monday of each month, 5–7 p.m., at Pride Counseling Center, 124 S. 400 East, Ste 230. For more information, call 385-468-4185.