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Subscribe to RSSOnly a quarter of Americans infected with the AIDS virus are getting effective treatment, according to a U.S. government report released Friday -- and the youngest patients are the worst off. The numbers could worsen if states don’t broaden health care as called for under the 2010 health reform law, scientists worry.
It’s the first comprehensive look by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at who is getting effective care, and it doesn’t paint a promising picture. The findings raise even more alarm bells as study after study presented at the International AIDS Conference in Washington this week show that treatment can help stop the spread of HIV.
“The majority of people living with HIV in the United States are not on antiretroviral treatment, not in stable care,” Dr. Kenneth Mayer of The Fenway Institute and Harvard Medical School in Boston told a news conference. “They need to be in care first and then able to get treatment.”
The study finds that just over a third of HIV patients have steady care -- 34 percent of African-Americans, 37 percent of Latinos and 38 percent of whites.
Younger patients are the least likely to be getting the cocktails of drugs that can keep them healthy and help keep them from infecting others. Just 15 percent of those aged 25-34 had the virus suppressed to desired levels, compared to 36 percent of those aged 55-64. Only 22 percent of young adults were even getting HIV drugs to treat their infection, the CDC found.
There’s no cure for the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS and no vaccine. HIV has killed 25 million since it first started spreading globally in the early 1980s, and more than 33 million people are infected worldwide. About 1.1 million people in the United States have HIV, and the CDC estimates that 20 percent of them don’t even know it.
“We have to continue to raise the alarm,” CDC’s top AIDS official, Dr. Kevin Fenton, said in an interview. “We have to find that sense of outrage.”
The same factors are driving high transmission and poor treatment rates among some U.S. groups: poverty, a lack of access to medical care, and a lack of education about what causes HIV and what people can do about it. Policymakers need to understand that treating people with HIV saves money, Fenton said.
“What we now know is that treating HIV is cost-effective. For every dollar spent, you save $2,” Fenton said.
Fenton said the U.S. should pull out the stops on providing condoms, counseling, testing and treatment.
“We need to ensure that states have policies that support routine HIV testing,” Fenton said. “Clearly, this is going to be more challenging in some states than in others.”
Top AIDS experts in the U.S. say no matter what people may think about the moral implications of some of the behavior that leads to HIV infection, it will benefit everyone to get people tested, treated and counseled about controlling their infection.
“Every state really must enact the Affordable Care Act,” said Dr. Judith Aberg, president of the HIV Medicine Association and an AIDS expert at New York University. “States need to fund HIV treatment and prevention. We need to continue this fight.”
Governors of several states have said they will not expand Medicaid, required by the health care law, because they cannot afford it. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last month that states can decide whether to abide by that provision. States refusing expansion now include Texas, Florida, South Carolina and Louisiana. Medicaid, the state-federal health insurance plan for the poor, currently does not cover most low-income adults with HIV. AIDS activists say it’s essential to controlling the epidemic to get coverage for young adults with HIV, and at risk for HIV.
Opening this week's International AIDS Conference was Dr. Anthony Fauci, one of the most influential, leading scientists in the decades-long search for a cure. Fauci discusses how far we've come and how far we have to go in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
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I fail to see why this should be a major social issue. The amounts of money that have been spent on AIDS/HIV research and care have been staggering. Prevention has been a top issue for years. The tax payers should not have to be held accountable for an extremely poor life style.
sorry i'm spent out.....its always interesting that WE need to quote leftist doctors on everything
Maybe they should contribute their porsche's to the cause?
I guess the msnbc crowd already forgot that Bush increased the help for those fighting AIDS and already forgot about Elton John praising Bush and the conservatives for their concern and efforts. Aside from that, we know that AIDS is bought on by dangerous sexual practices and many times is passed onto innocent unsuspecting victims so how does that suddenly become the fault of republicans?
This whole article and argument is falacious. I hate seeing our current medical system blamed for things that are not true.
To start, my daughter is HIV+. She is getting the care she needs and is thriving, Thank God. But the problem here with all the people who are not getting the care they need is not a question of availabilty or cost, its the ignorance of the people. It's an educational issue. These people are still haunted by the stigma of HIV so they do not reach out. I feel their pain, but do not blame the system for that.
There are SOOOO many organizations out there to assit with HIV care and meds. Ryan White Foundation is amongst the largest. There is already so much government money in place and allocated for this. Personally we do not take this money because we live near one of teh best pediatric HIV clinics in the world at St Jude. But if we chose to participate, we would qualify for $1000s a month to cover her medical AND non medical expenses. And that is with us already receivin care at St Jude. It would almost be a way to make/bilk money from the government. Honestly, there is too much of a safety net out there.
So the solution is not the ACA. It is education and the removal of this stigmata from society.
I totally agree with you. My son gets a good part of his coverage through the Ryan White Foundation and there are alot of programs out there. There just needs to be more advertising of these programs so people will know more about it. I wish they would broadcast these programs as much as they broadcast fast food commercials.
Amen. But its going to take ALOT of cultural change. Very sad.
And if you live near Memphis TN at all, please try to check out their pediatric HIV clinic at the TTU. They are wonderful. and if you do not live close they pay for you to travel to St Jude and handle your lodging and food while there. They are AWESOME. My daughter is actually there for her quartely visit today.
Finally ,someone who knows and understands the problem with all solutions available.We make eveything in this country political.Little wonder only 50% vote and 50% of those people can't read and write.Thanks danfreeman! Best wishes for your daughters good health!May God bless her with a long ,healthy life!
Thanks mas098. I appreciate it.
And I also hate how every little things turns into a political discussion. Not everything that happens revolves are the R and the D. All it does is divide us when we need to come together on common ground for so many issues. This nation is way too polarized, and its all becuase everything is politicized and it's always black or white. No room for grey. If you are pro-something, then you are automatically mamade into anti-something else as well. Sickening and it's killing our country
If everyone had health insurance this would not be a problem. Thanks big insurance!
That's a ridiculous argument. Everyone buying insurance does not mean that that insurance is going to be any good or be affordable. Do you honestly think that insurance companies are not going to pass on any cost increases to the consumers, but just eat the costs themselves. Get over it
well you no they got to have their profits...I always wondered why those with all the money still want more??? How much can you spend??? Its not the money its the power and greed.
elaine, you're an idiot period. But don't worry mine and every other working persons tax dollars will take care of you. God forbid a business should make a profit
Dammed right not responsible! THAT is a SOCIALIST AGENDA thinking.
I am NOT responsible for the treatment of people who didn't give a sh*T if they got AIDS by NOT using condoms.
We know this is true because the gay community gave out its own report just a year ago that said most gays are NOT taking precautions. OR did this news outlet print a story that was a lie?
If it is someone who has kids and no insurance then the government already covers them.
IF they are from a family that pays health care but is a certain income, then OBAMACARE will cover them.
So that just leaves the people who live in million dollar homes, drive million dollar cars, and are still broke because oh they spent all their money on homes, cars and Recreation drugs.
So this report means NOTHING. I am already working two jobs, my insurance just went up to support OBAMACARE so that I can work another job to pay for someone else family.
Don't even try to tell me or try a guilt trip that I owe some liberal socialist Democrats meds for a disease that we know how NOT to NOT GET.
Funny..how can you be paying for Obamacare when it doesnt go into effect til 2014???
elaine, do some homework, there are hundreds of policies in Obomacare that are already in effect. One being that business owners are required to pay at least 10% of health insurance for employees. it's the gov't mandated health insurance that the non-insured will be forced to buy that doesn't go in effect yet. do some homework, stop spewing Keith Olbermans lies.
Business owners of a certain size. Don't leave out the particulars though...
P.S. condoms break
The sad truth is that unless you have an obvious bone sticking out of your arm most doctors don't have a clue as to what to do for you. I suffered a possible stroke in 2007...I say possible because the doctors aren't willing or confident enough to say for sure. Since then this possible stroke has caused other problems that left me unable to do pretty much anything and now I'm on disability and medicare. I've spent the last 4 years trying to get answers from these doctors and it's been pretty much an exercise in futility. Before this happened I worked 2 jobs 7 days a week for the last 26 years.
So as a result I've decided that if I don't get some answers within the next 2 doctor visits I'm just going to stop wasting my time. I'm just tired of being an ATM machine for people pretending to be doctors and paying for infective drugs they keep dumping on me. And I seriously doubt this government gives a damn about people getting ineffective health care...it's election time and they only care about looking good...not doing good...which is pretty much business as usual.
People really need to wake up in this country. They are screwed and all they do is bicker with each other like children while missing the big picture.
And having health insurance doesn't mean you will get decent healthcare...it just means the doctors will get paid something rather than nothing.
And for you knuckleheads that think a condom is going to prevent you from getting aids...you had better wear at least 3 of those things...and that's still no guarantee. Be careful when you go to the hospital for a transfusion.
Don't want to get HIV?? Change your lifestyle. Mother Nature did not intend for men to sleep together. You can't mess with mother nature. There is no reason Taxpayers should pay for what is in My opinion a Perverted Lifestyle, no matter how hard our government tries to paint it as "Normal". You wanna Play? Then you have to Pay.
tell that to the Street Apes as well, $12 Trillion in welfare and counting.
Whats your view on women sleeping together?? you never mentioned that?? bet you would watch huh?
Its funny how the bible waving christians are the biggest watchers of porn and cheat on their spouses the most. Do as I say but not as I do???? huh?
Elaine, where do you drum up those libtard facts about Christians? A Move-on.Org poll?
Like I said , elaine is an idiot
Two men sleeping together, whatever you imagine they must be doing, does not cause AIDS. A virus does that. If both men are not infected, it is impossible for them to contract HIV using any sexual practice you or they can dream up. Please stop talking about HIV/AIDS as though it is a punishment from God specifically for being gay.
Aside from a bible quote, how is it that you come to "know" what nature intends? Human bodies are not fine surgical instruments that will break if used for something other than their unknowable "intended purpose", but they are rather like Swiss Army knives, with 1,001 uses and counting.
The majority of new infections worldwide of HIV are from heterosexual relationships...
Just something to remember.
Good, hope they all drop dead, that means AIDS is still working. I'm tired of paying for the homos health care. Now if only we could improve on the Sickle Cell, or come up with a better working cure for blackness, we wouldn't have to fund all the Street Apes health costs either.
You're a disgusting waste of a human being.
Easy fix.
All together now people.....Make the rich pay for it all.
Done and done. What's next?
after you take their money who's next? time to address the problem brought on my liberals you hating duche bag
They already do,sweetheart! You and your ilk,the 49% of tapayers who never pay a dime in taxes should learn to read.The top 10% of tax earners in America pay 85% of all taxes.What would be good for you,they pay more so you can keep from paying anything and getting your $2000 to $3500 tax rebate check every year?
Another story trying to drum up support for this gov. run crap. What you wont see is any stories about the real cost to americans or why healthcare is so expensive in the first place. You liberals, what do you think of when you see a democrat lawyer on tv asking, are you injured, need money, we can gouge the insurance company for you. What do you think. Do you EVER realize these costs will be passed on to you ? No you don't, thats what makes you a liberal. How about a news story regarding what doctors have to go through to avoid B.S. lawsuits. That only costs the company money too right libs, never gets passed onto you. Now thats forward thinking. Oh, wait liberal policies are working out great in europe, go see for yourself.
They should have kept their PEE-PEES and WEE-WEES in their pants.
The time when blood transfusions infected innocent peole is long gone. HIV is now the exclusive result of life style choices.
Just as with smoking, obesity. and a huge number of other such behaviours, the Government should just stay out of it. Longevity kills budgets, not illnesses.
Maybe if they lived in Africa they would get more help since our government believes in foreign aid first, aiding illegals second, and helping citizens third?? In reality though, I couldn't care less.... I hate when my tax dollars go to rescue people from their own bad choices. They made their bed, they can lie in it.
Well, boooo-hoooo.
This is msnbc just going full blown into "re-electing Obumma" mode. Every story now is targeting a special interest group to drum up support for the Head Chimp.
Do you mean Head Chump?
Thanks for stating the obvious.
30 years ago aids did not exist but began in the iv-drug 'community' but mostly in the homosexual-male 'community'. the behavior is worshiped and fawned over by many, but it never can/will/has created life; instead it has only led to suffering and death.
male is not the same as female. to force the rest of us to subsidize such behavior consequences is wrong end of story.
behavior is a choice or else a crime.
AIDS is noted to have started in the 1950's in a community in Africa, between a husband and wife...
History. Not rumour.
Did I wake up in 1982?
Or is it just that people in 2012 are STILL talking about HIV/AIDS in terms of the wages of sin?
I get it: You think anal sex is "icky"; you think gay sex is "icky", and you also think these are the main (or only) vectors for HIV infection.
HIV is spread by contact with any number of bodily fluids from a person who is infected. These might include blood, vaginal fluid, semen, even breast milk and amniotic fluid. Anal sex does not cause HIV; neither does being gay. The vast majority of gay men in the U.S. are HIV-negative, and take pains to remain that way. An HIV-negative couple, gay or straight, can have (even unprotected anal) sex as often as they like and they will never develop HIV or AIDS spontaneously.
That's why early testing and prevention are key. Rather than deny human nature - with fantasies of ridding the world of any sexual practice but lifelong heterosexual monogamy - it might be easier to fight AIDS instead.
It would certainly be more humane and practical.
Unfortunately the people now paying for insurance will end up supporting and paying for all these people with Aids.
Considering that the vast majority of them contracted the disease from their own poor choices in life style I find it difficult to believe that everyone else should be paying for those mistakes.
These patients -- and how about those families that will go bankrupt because of medical bills they get due to being shot in Colorado? Great health care delivery system we have here in this "greatest country in the world!"
The only people who should pay for their healthcare is themselves, the vast majority of them have HIV from promiscuity, it should be their money spent if they are to be kept alive. If they cant afford it, let them die so they cant infect anyone else.
go F**K yourself
Cant get AIDS doing that!
If the government hadn't created HIV we wouldn't be in this mess to begin with!!!! I know it was created, and I have proof!!! To protect my family I will not disclose. I will say this: This horrific disease popped up out of nowhere. No warning signs at all. There weren't any signs of it before 1975. It was designed to kill mostly African Americans, and it is working. More African Americans and Africans die from it than any other race. It was put out there by the C.I.A. That is all I am saying.
You're nuts.
I wonder what percent of the HIV are gays. I'm just asking a question before everyone goes wild.
After all this time this disease has been around...why does it matter. You just want to know so you can lay blame, point a finger make gay men to be something their not. Go crawl under a rock
That's really hard to say, since much of the data relies on self-reported behavior that the patient believes (or admits) was the most likely transmission method. Second, is a married heterosexual man who has one homosexual experience, which he then blames for his HIV, gay? Straight? Bisexual? It's sometimes difficult to force real people into narrow categories.
Anyway, the most recent data from the CDC's website:
As to likely method of infection, 61% of new HIV infections in 2009 were men having sex with men. If we assume that all those men are "gay", then that figure is pretty shocking. It is estimated that about 7% of gay men are HIV-positive, but that figure assumes that only 1% of males are homosexual. If we use a more generally accepted figure of 3-5%, then the prevalence of HIV is only 2.5 - 2.9% among gay men (and close to zero among lesbians).
But there are other ways to parse the data: if we forget transmission method for a moment and look at ethnicity, 44% of new cases were African-American, and 20% were Hispanic. So non-whites account for an even greater slice of the pie than gay men.
Taken as a whole, the data suggest that of the recent new infections are young, urban, non-white men who have sex with other men. Lots of other people get it too, but that's a much more manageable demographic.
The question becomes: Why has education and prevention of HIV not done better for these young men? How can we improve public policy to change the situation?
These are difficult questions that are not well answered by self-righteousness and finger-pointing - though not for lack of trying, as you can see by reading this forum.
Around the world, most new infections are actually in young women (under age 35) who are in heterosexual relationships...
And they can then pass it on to children, without ever knowing it.
I believe this article was written so homophobic loser, ignorant mindless nits have a place to express their uneducated baseless opinions freely. My word the amount of hate mongering and ignorance is off the charts. I have no words! I can't even believe people this intolerable, insensitive and selfish still taut the crap they put on these discussion groups. I am guessing 90% of all you hate filled people don't and won't ever speak these words to your friends loved ones or in public, you only do it here in under the vail of secrecy and protection of your computer. Your all cowards and feeble minded jackwads!
Funny how Africa gets better cheaper drugs to combat AIDS than we do. It is the Pharmecutical companies that control this. Not anyone else. If we regulate them they just move to another country. They will always do what they want. We are sheeple and we will die because we are poor. Being poor is expensive.
The decisions you've made put you where you are today.