World AIDS Day 2014

New study funds just 30 percent of Americans with HIV are getting treated for it


Just 30 percent of Americans with HIV have it under control, a new report issued last week finds, even though most of them know they are infected. And in Arkansas, the challenge of continuing to address an estimated 5000 individuals whom meet the threshold of not having labs performed or engaging a primary care physician.
       

It’s a frightening problem because drugs can control the AIDS virus, keep people healthy and greatly reduce the odds they’ll infect someone else. But people with untreated HIV will get sicker and can die — and are much more likely to spread the virus.

     

“When you have an infection, you treat it,” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Dr. Tom Frieden told reporters.
       

“People with HIV who achieve viral suppression aren’t just healthier — they’re also less likely to infect others,” Frieden added. “Today’s study shows too many people with HIV aren’t getting the care they need.”

       

The study doesn't look at why people are not getting treatment, but navigating the red tape of the U.S. healthcare system may be one major factor. CDC says providers need to work harder to make sure people not only get diagnosed, but treated for HIV.
       

The numbers come from CDC’s latest look at HIV in the U.S. In 2011, it found, 1.2 million Americans had HIV and 86 percent of them knew it.

 

But only 40 percent were seeing a doctor or other provider about it — even though HIV has no cure and it’s a lifelong infection that requires a lifetime of medical attention.

Just 37 percent had a prescription for the drugs that can keep the virus under control, and only 30 percent actually had the virus controlled. That means 840,000 Americans have uncontrolled HIV in their bodies.

 

Even more startling, only 13 percent of people ages 18 to 24 who were infected were taking an effective dose of HIV drugs.

 

Historical data cited by ADH states, Arkansas’s HIV epidemic continues to trend upwards in minority populations. African American men, African American women, and Hispanic/Latino (men and women) constitutes nearly sixty (60) percent of all new infections, while the combined population represents only 21.8% of the state’s total population. African

American Men who have Sex with Men (MSM), the highest risk population, represent 21.1% of all new infections statewide. In contrast, the epidemic is showing signs of stabilization in white MSM, a historically high risk group. White MSM comprised about 15.7% of all new infections statewide for 2011, a 2.1% decrease from 2010.

 

 

According to a ADH guidance provided to applicants in preparing their 2013 & 2014 year HIV prevention program proposals, organizations were capable of accessing funding in three specific areas as follows:

 

• HIV Prevention Interventions with MSM ($150,000.00)

• HIV Testing and Counseling with High Risk Populations ($100,000.00)

• Evidence-based Interventions with High Risk Populations ($100,000.00)

 

However despite funding being disbursed, a percentage of returned funding designated for HIV Prevention Intervention with MSM category was to be awarded through the agencies current, Community Connectors Initiative, but to date has not commenced. The agency has informed contractors that internal functions are being resolved to move the initiative forward.

 

 

SAVE The Date:

 

December 12, 2014, 10 am - 1 pm Arkansas HIV Planning Group meeting will be held in the auditorium of the Arkansas Department of Health. For more information check the groups Facebook site at www.facebook.com/arkansasHIVplanninggroup

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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