Nearly 30 years after the first diagnosis of AIDS, more than one million people in the United States are infected with HIV today, with an estimated 50,000 additional people being infected annually. Even more concerning is the rate of millennials acquiring HIV, which comprises twenty-six percent of individuals newly infected. In an age when information is so readily accessible, it’s concerning that the highest infection rates are amongst those with access to the most information.
With the theme AIDS Free Generation as this year’s theme World AIDS Daywe sat together Dr. Perry N. HalkitisDirector of the Center for the Study of Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention at New York University and author’The AIDS Generation: A Story of Survival and Resilience’ Halkitis to discuss how we can become an AIDS Free Generation and the biggest challenges faced by Millennials to accomplish this goal.
Awareness:
Millennials are the first generation who have never known a world without HIV. Growing up in a world with treatments to inhibit HIV and extend the lives of those infected, they didn’t understand the devastation caused by AIDS in the 80s and early 90s. Due to the advancement of medication, they no longer saw the number of individuals who died like they had in the past. This makes it “very difficult for them to recognize that this disease is still in our lives and there is no sign of it going away” according to Dr. Perry Halkitis. One out of each six gay men living with HIV aren’t aware that they’ve it. “Despite the fact that we are in a much better place fighting this disease, we are still in a country with 50,000 new infections every year. Teenagers and young adults need to be as careful as my generation.” Making sure that the message gets through to this generation is essential. With so many changes in technology and social media, it’s a challenge to reach young people on their platforms.
Prevention:
Turvada, is a drug used to treat HIV. More recently the drug has been shown to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV in people who don’t have already got it, but are at significant risk. When used in this way, this preventive approach is known as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). According to Dr. But it isn’t without its own limitations and demands. PrEP requires working very closely with your doctor, including getting blood work and monitoring your overall health. It also requires daily dosing, which makes it very hard to stick to. It also does not stop other sexually transmitted diseases. Another problem is that the drug doesn’t reach the hands of those who actually need it. In a recent study at the Center for the Study of Health, Identity, Behavior, and Prevention at New York University found that of 200 young gay men surveyed between the ages of 22-23, 25% of them had never even heard of PReP and only 4% have heard of PReP. use it.
Along with PReP, clinics, doctors and even schools must also continue to educate young men (and girls) that condom use is still the main safety measure for HIV/AIDS. “The message is still there but not as loud and clear as it used to be”
Political:
The LGBT movement continues to face challenges related to HIV/AIDS. People living with HIV have higher rates of being uninsured, are more likely to face barriers to accessing medical care, and often experience higher levels of stigma and discrimination than other groups. According to Dr. Halchitis “Many health problems are driven by social inequality.” Structural changes in equal rights are very beneficial in terms of health benefits. “When you equalize… it really reduces the health issues,” he explained. “In the long term, it will have a more beneficial effect.” When young men know that it’s okay to be homosexual, there’s a reduction in the risky behaviors that can lead to contracting HIV.
In President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address he declared, “The promise of an AIDS-free generation… is within our reach.” By focusing on awareness, prevention and equity, we can work effectively towards achieving these goals.
Dr. Perry N. Halkitis
Author: The AIDS Generation: A Story of Survival and Resilience
Website: www.perrynhalkitis.com
Twitter: @DrPNHalkitis
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