AAHIVM Issues World AIDS Day Statement

As we commemorate the 20th Anniversary of World AIDS Day, and as our nation faces a pivotal transition in Presidential administrations, the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM) continues its call for a National HIV/AIDS plan. The notion of such a plan echoes a recent Washington Post editorial by Robert Gallo, MD, who urged the development of "a PEPFAR program for America's Inner Cities (Washington Post, November 26, 2008)," and affirms the work of several national AIDS in America coalitions united in this common goal.

As AAHIVM and countless numbers of HIV medical and community leaders and organizations have stated repeatedly over the last several years, particularly after the release of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's revised and more accurate estimation of new HIV infections in the United States, HIV/AIDS is far from over. Our national response must include:

• sound public policy that promotes HIV care access and excellence for our patients
• comprehensive education of all health providers, lawmakers and patients about the significant role routine HIV testing can play in minimizing the disease's spread;
• recognition by medical leadership of a rigorously-maintained HIV care standard that encourages appropriate provider reimbursement for HIV medical care
• targeted initiatives to minimize the attrition of current HIV care providers and to cultivate the next generation of HIV care providers.

Let us use this Worlds AIDS Day to re-commit ourselves to providing access to the highest quality care for HIV-infected Americans, and to redoubling our efforts to eradicate this disease in the next 20 years.