What's New?

25 years after AIDS was first identified, development of new drugs has seen a sudden upsurge. While only one new drug was approved in the last two years, a number of compounds are now moving into advanced trials, offering new hope for people who have become resistant to many of the approved HIV medications

In this issue of ACRIA Update, a number of seasoned HIV treatment activists present the "inside story" on the development of HIV drugs, from both activist and personal perspectives. And we're pleased that former ACRIA staffer Donna Kaminski has weighed in with news from a recent AIDS conference.

Of course, taking any experimental treatment comes with risks, including the risk of adding only one new drug to a failing regimen. ACRIA has always urged anyone who is thinking of joining a clinical trial, either here at ACRIA or at any trial site, to discuss all their options with their health care provider, and to carefully weigh all the pros and cons in order to make a fully informed decision.

With this issue, I am also pleased to introduce myself as ACRIA's new Executive Director. Committed to finding effective and safe treatment for HIV disease, and ultimately a cure for AIDS, I am very excited to join ACRIA. After 11 years under the skilled leadership of J Daniel Stricker, ACRIA is well-positioned to lead this battle and bring new attention to the fight against AIDS -- both in treatment and HIV health literacy.

As a long-time advocate for underserved communities, working with the Coalition for the Homeless, Housing Works, and as Director of Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) at the Postgraduate Center for Mental Health, I am especially proud to join an organization committed to HIV treatment access and educational services for marginalized populations.

I welcome your comments and insights and look forward to working with you in the fight against AIDS.