HIV/AIDS prevention has changed drastically over the last 25 years of the AIDS epidemic. The CDC and other organizations have conducted various studies to gain statistics on behaviors of those who are newly HIV infected individuals. These studies have proven newly HIV infected take active steps to reduce behaviors that could transmit the virus to their partners. Early detection helps ensure these individuals will be linked to medical attention and life-saving treatment.
With new technology and new strides in anti-viral medication, it is now possible to reduce the further spread of HIV. New medical breakthroughs have gone from dispensing older HIV drugs (AZT) several times a day (which are now known to be as dangerous as the disease itself) to anti-virals that are created to battle specific strains of HIV. With the various cocktails designed for specific strains, these amazing new medications can reduce the HIV in cells to the point HIV is no longer detectable. If HIV is undetectable, then the transmission of HIV is further decreased. So not only are potential sexual partners of those on new HIV anti-viral medication less at risk, transmission of HIV from mother to infant has decreased tremendously with universal prenatal HIV testing and anti-viral medications.
Twenty years ago, this was unheard of. As I mentioned, there was one very toxic medication given to everyone who was HIV infected, which we later found out was as toxic as the disease its self. Now those who are HIV infected, take one or two pills a day in contrast to 10-15 a day as were prescribed in years past. Of course the barriers involved are the high costs of these medications. They range from $1000 a month and higher.
Today, right now, 7500 people cannot get the medication they need to continue a healthy life. At least 7,415 Americans are sitting on HIV/AIDS drugs waiting lists — and activists say some of them are dying in the queue. As of November 17, there are 6,595 people on waiting lists in twelve states, according to ADAP Watch, published regularly by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), plus 445 people who have been dropped and 281 people unable to enroll because of lowered eligibility. These are under-estimates. At the Philadelphia Center in Shreveport Louisiana and statewide in Louisiana, we are seeing funding to AIDS Drug Assistance Programs frozen. Those newly infected are going to waiting lists. Prevention and Education dollars have been cut in half. With our capital city, Baton Rouge being #2 highest in the nation for new infection rates, we are having to scramble to compete with foundation and other possible private donations.
With state budgets stretched thin and increasing numbers of unemployed workers without health insurance, many states have been forced to cap enrollment in their AIDS Drug Assistance Programs. Hundreds of patients in need are being added to the waiting list each week. Thousands more Americans living with HIV/AIDS have been dropped from the program or made ineligible to receive medications through ADAP (ADAP) due to stricter eligibility requirements. ADAPs serve about one third of people on AIDS treatment in America, around 165,000 people.
Thank you John!
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