Is there such a thing of being too little, too late when it comes to AIDS
As the AIDS virus spreads, infection rates increase and more die from AIDS related complication, federal officials create a strategy to tackle HIV. “Test and Treat” is a 3yr study of routine testing in two areas that have some of the highest infection rates in the country, the Bronx and Washington D.C. The plan is to test every adult in these two communities and treat those who test positive for the virus. In New York City, the infection rates have declined for most high risk groups except for youth, whose rates have increased. Despite the increase or decrease of rates among high risk groups, many still do not know they are carrying the virus. In a recent New York Times article, “Nationwide, 20% to 25% of people who are HIV positive do not know of their infection, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.” The CDC encourages routine voluntary HIV testing as a regular part of one’s medical care. But many hospitals, clinics and private practices don’t follow the CDC’s recommendation. And, even when doctors do offer the test, some patients refuse to take it. Those refusing to get tested don’t realize the severe consequences of a potential infection. Not knowing one’s status increases the chance of the virus spreading and it also increases the chance of someone developing AIDS by the time they receive their diagnosis.
The second obstacle to testing is getting those who test positive into treatment. This effort plans to address that problem by training community outreach workers along with other improvements. Those who go straight into treatment can prevent extensive damage to their immune system and encourage a normal life expectancy.
So, with this extensive three year study and bold new strategy to stop the spread of AIDS, will this result in an effort that’s too little, too late! Or should we appreciate any effort to reduce the infection rate in the United States, especially in “hot spot’ areas like the Bronx and Washington D.C. Time will only tell.
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