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The National HIV/AIDS strategy was released in 2010. This is the nation’s first coordinated effort to provide a formalized plan to approach the problem of HIV/AIDS. The purpose is to evaluate what is and is not effective with current prevention efforts as well as to provide measurable goals to determine outcomes resulting in programs receiving governmental funding. According to the statement released,
“We are now experiencing a domestic epidemic that requires a renewed commitment, increased public attention and leadership. We have the knowledge and tools to slow the spread of HIV infection and improve the health of people living with HIV. Despite this potential, the public’s sense of urgency associated with combating the epidemic seems to be declining. In 1995, 44% of the general public indicated that HIV/AIDS was the most urgent health problem facing the nation, compared to only 6% in 2009. While HIV transmission rates have been reduced substantially over time and people with HIV are living longer and more productive lives, approximately 56,000 people become infected each year and more Americans are living with HIV than ever before. Unless we take bold actions, we face a new era of rising infections, greater challenges in serving people living with HIV/AIDS and higher healthcare costs (p.1, National HIV/AIDS Strategy Fact Sheet, CDC, 2012e)”
Goals focus on fundamental public health strategies to impact disease outcomes, transmission and prevention (CDC, 2012e):
- Reduce the number of new HIV infections by 2015
- Decrease the number of new infections by 25%
- Decrease the HIV transmission rate by 30%
- Increase the number of people who know their sero-status from 79% to 90%
- Increase access to health care for all people infected with HIV by 2015
- Increase the percentage of persons with new infections to care within three months
- Increase the number of Ryan White clients who are in continuous care
- Increase the number of Ryan White clients with permanent housing
- Reduce HIV health disparities
- Improve access to prevention and care services for all Americans
- Increase the proportion of gay and bisexual men with an undetectable viral load by 20%
- Increase the proportion of diagnosed Blacks with an undetectable viral load by 20%
- Increased the proportion of diagnosed Latinos with an undetectable viral load by 20%
Action steps accompanying the program include (CDC, 2012e):
- Target prevention efforts towards populations at highest risks
- Educate all Americans about the threat of HIV and how to prevent it
- Increase diversity among providers of services for people living with HIV/AIDS
- Increase safe and affordable housing options for persons living with HIV/AIDS
- Reduce HIV/AIDS related stigma and discrimination
- Increase coordination of services.
Regardless of the risk category, race or age, new strategies are definitely needed to bring HIV/AIDS back to the attention of the public in a way that will open their minds to effective prevention strategies and promote understanding of the continued threat of HIV/AIDS.
Continue on to HIV Prevention: What works?
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