 |
   
|
  |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Treatment Is Prevention Part 1By Gary Bell August 18, 2011 Some of you may be aware that the annual HIV Prevention Conference has been taking place in Atlanta this week. One of the unique aspects of HIV conferences is that they tend to bring together an eclectic mix of people: consumers, researchers, medical providers, non profits and other assorted advocates. As we, as a society, struggle with finding new and creative ways to reduce the transmission of HIV, it was only natural to consider the impact a medical model might have on this challenge. Perhaps one of the most exciting studies within the last several months demonstrates the benefit of immediate, aggressive HIV treatment in reducing transmission. Historically, HIV prevention targeted those who were negative. Eventually, more emphasis was placed on "Prevention for Postives," which focused primarily on changing the potentially risky behavior of people who are HIV+. However the promising results of a study, known as HPTN 052,that evaluated whether the immediate use of HAART (Highly Active Anti-retroviral therapy) by HIV-infected individuals would reduce transmission of HIV to their HIV-uninfected partners (which would also potentially benefit the HIV-infected individual), demonstrates the increased role of medical treatment in prevention. The results of the study were truly groundbreaking: there was a 96 percent reduction in risk of HIV transmission to the HIV-uninfected sexual partners. The results of this study underscores previous efforts to test as many people as possible by making HIV a routine part of medical care as well as aggressive community mobilization by showing that if we can get HIV+ individuals into care and keep them there, it may reduce overall HIV incidence and save lives. Put another way, this study adds another needed weapon to our arsenal as we continue to make progress if our war against this formidable, entrenched enemy: HIV. Get e-mail notifications every time Gary Bell's blog is updated.
Add Your Comment:
(Please note: Your name and comment will be public, and may even show up in
Internet search results. Be careful when providing personal information! Before adding your comment, please read TheBody.com's Comment Policy.) |
BLOG:
Transition to Hope This year marks Bell's 14th as the executive director of the Philadelphia-based BEBASHI (Blacks Educating Blacks About Sexual Health), founded in 1985 as the nation's first AIDS organization serving African Americans with HIV. Bell has been widely praised, not only for increasing funding and accountability at a time when HIV donations have plummeted, but also for launching such innovative programs as a women's initiative, prison-discharge planning, and, most recently, a diabetes intervention. More About Gary: Profile Subscribe to Gary's Blog:
Recent Posts:
May 16, 2013 - HPV Vaccination -- A Wasted Resource for African Americans? A Blog Entry by Gary Bell
February 1, 2013 - The Opioid Solution and HIV: From the Frying Pan Into the Fire -- A Blog Entry by Dave R. December 24, 2012 - Compulsory Sexual Education: A Blog Entry by Gary Bell December 3, 2012 - World AIDS Day 2012 -- A Blog Entry by Gary Bell November 13, 2012 - Preventing HIV Transmission With Youth Infected at Birth: A Blog Entry by Gary Bell 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. |
 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
The Body: About The Body | Contact The Body | Content Policy | Content Providers | Advertise With Us | Site Map The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 500 5th Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10110. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Email
Comments
Print-Friendly
Glossary
Subscribe
