Concern over jump in HIV cases in US

[ze_dscherman]

The number of new HIV diagnoses in 29 US states has risen by more than 5 per cent over the past four years, a new analysis by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has revealed. It also warned that a quarter of Americans living with HIV, the virus that causes Aids, may not be aware of the fact.


According to a study released ahead of World Aids Day, the CDC said the increases marked an "upturn from the previous downward trend in US infections", and underscored an urgent need for action.

SNIP

The CDC said increasingly risky behavior could reflect a belief that HIV was no longer a deadly disease, because of treatment improvements. It could also underline difficulties in maintaining safer behaviors for an extended period, the CDC said.

"These new findings strongly support three key realities," said Dr Julie Gerberding, CDC director. "The HIV epidemic in this country is not over; more often than not the face of HIV in this country is black or Latino; and gay and bisexual men in several communities are facing a possible resurgence of HIV infection.


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[izzie]

1. Once it is not a gay thing it goes any place.

This is a world wide thing and into the general pop. world wide.

[The Backlash Cometh]

2. Izzie -- there are areas where this thing festers, and then crosses over.

Whether it's intravenous drug users or irresponsible gay men in bathhouses, there are social groups that are engaging in risky behavior. And "gay" doesn't always mean "exclusively gay" so it's an issue that concerns society.

I'm all for gay marital rights, but I'm also for closing all areas that have proven to create public health issues; and bathhouses are one of them. What's more, responsible gay men would agree with me.

[ellie]

3. It's all of that abstinence "education"

The focus is put on abstaining while condoms are denigrated as being unable to stop the HIV virus.People hear that and say "What's the use in using them?" It's a predictable outcome for a stupid and wrong-headed policy.

[xchrom]

4. until we deal with sex

in a very real, and frank fashion then -- aids or other stds will continue in this cycle.
mind you -- it is a cycle, there will be years or a series of years where std infection is up and years when it declines.
the point is to demystify and aggressively educate. then bad cycles will not be as bad -- and good years will be even better.