Category: HIV/AIDS

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Study: 28% Of Millennials Avoid Hugging HIV+ People

The results of a new study by pharmaceutical giant Merck and the Prevention Access Campaign finds many young people today know little about HIV. Survey findings revealed the 1,596 respondents – who either identified as Generation Z (18-22) or millennials (23-36) – are woefully uninformed about HIV and its transmission. From the study: • 41% of Gen Z respondents were either somewhat informed or not at all informed about HIV, compared to 23% of millennials • While 67% said they were most concerned about HIV compared to other STIs, 54% did not report using condoms or PrEP. •  28% of HIV-negative millennials said they have avoided hugging or interacting with HIV-positive people, even though the virus cannot be transmitted through casual contact • 76% of those living with HIV said they were hesitant to share their status for fear of being judged • 90% of those living with HIV said they avoided sharing their status for fear of losing friends or family Bruce Richman, executive director of the Prevention Access Campaign said in a statement, ”Despite scientific advances and decades of HIV advocacy and education, the findings highlight a disturbing trend: young adults overwhelmingly are not being informed effectively about the basics of HIV.”  “These findings are a call to action that the crisis in the United States is far from over,” added Richman. “It’s time to elevate a real conversation about HIV and sexual health among America’s young people, and roll out innovative and engaging initiatives to educate and fight HIV stigma.” As a result of the survey, Merck and Prevention Access Campaign have launched a new project called Owning HIV: Young Adults and the Fight Ahead aimed at educating young Americans about HIV and elevating the urgency around the issue.

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Twitter Claps Back At Trump Jr For HIV Stigma Comment

Donald Trump Jr.
Donald Trump Jr. got some serious pushback on Twitter after a snarky response to a tweet from an LGBTQ news site regarding dating people with HIV. Responding to a tweet that read, “What you stand to lose by not having sex with people with HIV,” the junior Donald wrote, “Well I can think of one thing.” Junior didn’t expound on his intention in his comment, although it is surprising he follows LGBTQ news outlets on Twitter. But many felt his tweet furthered the stigma associated with people living with HIV. Ironically, the article in question, by writer David Hudson, explored exactly that kind of discrimination and stigma that affects those who are living with HIV. “If someone is HIV positive, knows their status, is on effective medication and has consistently had an undetectable viral load, they cannot pass on the virus,” Hudson shared in the piece. “PrEP is also widely available in the US and several other countries to prevent people from acquiring HIV. And condoms are also, of course, widely available.” As I’ve written many times here, current research shows there is no risk of transmitting the HIV virus to others when properly using antiretroviral medications to bring the viral load down to zero, aka ‘undetectable.’ The Centers for Disease Control has publicly announced its support for the campaign that states Undetectable = Untransmittable. Additionally, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) and condoms greatly reduce the possibility of HIV infection. The Twitterverse criticized Trump Jr. for reinforcing outdated HIV stigma:

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New York Reports Lowest New HIV Diagnoses Since 2001

The Advocate reports there were fewer new diagnoses of HIV among New Yorkers in 2018 (less than 2,000) marking the lowest recorded level since reporting began in 2001.

The 2018 HIV Surveillance Annual Report released this week showed that 1,917 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in New York City in 2018. That marks an 11 percent drop from 2017 and a two-thirds decrease since 2001 when 5,859 new cases were reported. 

New HIV diagnoses were down among men and women; among Black, Latino, white, Native, and Asian New Yorkers; and in all five boroughs. The drops were particularly steep in men who have sex with men, people between the ages of 20 and 29, and those with a history of using injection drugs.

However, rates had increased among transgender people and men who report both having sex with men and injection drug use.

Nearly half of the people newly diagnosed with HIV were Black; 36 percent were Latino, and about 10 percent were white. 

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California Makes PrEP Available Without Prescription

California becomes the first state in the nation to make HIV prevention pills available without a doctor’s prior authorization. From the AP:

Pharmacists in California will be able to dispense HIV prevention pills to patients without a doctor’s prescription after Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation Monday that supporters say will greatly reduce the spread of infection.

PrEP is a once-daily pill for HIV-negative people while PEP is a medication that people take to prevent the virus from taking hold. Supporters say PEP significantly reduces the risk of infection, but only if started within 72 hours of exposure to the virus.

Nearly 30,000 people in California use PrEP and 6,000 use PEP, according to the California Health Benefits Review Program, which provides analysis to the Legislature.

The California Medical Association was initially opposed to the legislation but became neutral on it after it was amended to limit the number of PrEP pills patients can get without a physician’s note to 60 days, said Anthony York, spokesman for the association.

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Second Drug Approved By FDA For Use As PrEP

The Food and Drug Administration gave final approval on Thursday for a second drug from Gilead Sciences to be used for PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis). Since 2012, Gilead’s Truvada has been the only drug approved for use as PrEP. Gilead’s Descovy, approved in 2016 to treat those already infected with HIV, is now available for men and transgender women who have sex with men to prevent new HIV infections. The approval did not extend to use by those identified as female at birth because of a lack of research in that population. Descovy, a combination drug taken once daily, contains a newer formulation of Truvada that is less toxic to the kidneys and bones according to clinical trials. It’s also been shown to be more effective in preventing HIV transmission. Gilead hopes to move current patients from Truvada to Descovy over the next year as the patent for Truvada expires in 2020. Reuters reports sales of Truvada in the U.S. reached $2.6 billion in 2018 but is expected to drop to $428 million by 2024, while Descovy’s sales (which totaled $1.2 billion last year) are expected to more than double by 2024 to nearly $3 billion. According to Gilead, 213,000 people were prescribed Truvada for use as PrEP in the second quarter of 2019. In May, Gilead announced it would donate it’s most up-to-date PrEP medication (now Descovy) to 200,000 uninsured people for the next 11 years as part of the Trump administration’s proposed plan to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. (source: Reuters)

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Gareth Thomas & Prince Harry Will Team Up To Combat HIV Stigma

After coming out as HIV-positive this weekend via a video message on Twitter, rugby legend Gareth Thomas has received an outpouring of support from not only fans but the royal family. In the video, Thomas shared that had been diagnosed with HIV some years ago but was coming out now after an unnamed tabloid threatened to ‘blackmail’ him about his status. The 45-year-old athlete feared “people would treat me like a leper because of a lack of knowledge,” he told the Sunday Mirror. The rugby icon said by coming out as HIV-positive, he hopes to educate others and break the stigma associated with being positive. He’s already received encouragement from both Princes Harry and William, who shared their support via social media. On the Instagram account for SussexRoyal, Prince Harry shared Thomas’ HIV message and praised the athlete for his strength, resiliency, and courage. “Gareth, you are an absolute legend!,” read the post which was signed ‘H’ for Harry. “In sharing your story of being HIV+, you are saving lives and shattering stigma, by showing you can be strong and resilient while living with HIV. We should all be appalled by the way you were forced to speak your truth, it is yours and yours alone to share on your terms and I and millions stand with you.” https://www.instagram.com/p/B2cVIyhF0GG/ Prince William responded on the KensingtonRoyal Instagram account with the message, “Courageous as ever – legend on the pitch and legend off it. You have our support Gareth.” The missive was signed ‘W’ for Prince William. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2bjhbsFqHH/ The former Celebrity Big Brother star has now announced that he will collaborate with Prince Harry to address the stigma associated with HIV. “Like me, Prince Harry wants to break the stigma around HIV and he has already done a lot of great work,” Thomas told the Sunday Mirror. “We are planning to work together now.” He added, “To do something with him will be really powerful.” Prince Harry’s mother, Princess Diana, was a trailblazer during the early days of the HIV epidemic promoting awareness on the condition. She was credited with changing people’s attitudes about the disease when she was photographed shaking hands with a patient during a visit to the UK’s first AIDS clinic. “Quite often I look at that photo of Diana at the clinic next to those frail-looking men and then I look at a photo of myself out on my bike and it motivates me because I can see how things have changed and advanced,” Thomas told the Mirror. He added, “It also makes me realise how lucky I am because I see what it was like for them and I know 30 years ago that could have been me.” Thomas also shared he’s received calls from other UK luminaries like Elton John. The rugby star said he had to pull off the road when he got the call from the music legend. “He said, ‘What you are doing is a brilliant thing,’” said Thomas. “It’s really brave of you. I’ll support you all the way.” Others expressing their support include actress Samantha Womack and Andy Bell, lead singer of Erasure. Demonstrating the strength of his health (Thomas shared in his message that his viral load is undetectable), the ITV sportscaster followed his coming out by participating in an Iron Man event in Tenby just hours after his announcement. He finished the grueling athletic event in 12 hours, 18 minutes and 29 seconds, coming in 413th out of 2,039 participants.

(lead images via GarethThomasOfficial and SussexRoyal Instagram accounts)