By Andrew

Today, December 1st, marks the 34th annual World AIDS Day, a commemoration of the more than 25 million people who have died from the AIDS virus. This international day of observance – the first devoted to an issue of health – helps us to better understand the HIV/AIDS viruses, transmission, and the status of the epidemic that ripples through our entire population, regardless of age, wealth, color, or religion. 

This year will be the second year of a five-year theme, “Getting to zero: zero new HIV Infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS related deaths,” initiated by the World Health Organization and the United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS).

Though crafted with hope, these goals remain lofty: in 2011 alone, 2.5 million people acquired the HIV virus, while 1.7 million died from AIDS.  Nevertheless, progress has been made. According to UNAIDS, “Since 1999, the year in which it is thought that the epidemic peaked, globally, the number of new infections has fallen by 19%.”

With improved access to antiretroviral therapy in low and middle-income countries, this has contributed to a reduction in AIDS-related deaths of 19% globally between 2004 and 2009.

The cost of these medications has also dropped, and now hovers at a price of about US $137 annually per person. While this price tag continues to prevent many from obtaining this regimen, it does represent the latest step in a continually lowering price.  Despite the “global” nature of HIV/AIDS, we still need to acknowledge these diseases exist in our own communities, educate ourselves, and become familiar with where we can get tested.

HIV/AIDS In Pennsylvania

According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, the state has experienced a decline in new AIDS infections since the early 1990’s. The number of new HIV infections in Pennsylvania has remained below 1,000 for the past two to three years, down from a peak of nearly 1,200 in 2006. The Health Department also reports that the majority of new HIV infections are clustered in Allegheny and Philadelphia counties.  A more positive trend is the parallel decline in the exposure of a fetus to the virus during birth and contraction of pediatric HIV.

The Drexel School of Public Health tells us that in Philadelphia, heterosexual individuals face the greatest risk of contracting HIV, particularly African-American men. The school reports that by 2017 there will be nearly 16,000 people living with AIDS in Philadelphia, and the spread of the infection results primarily from unsafe heterosexual intercourse.   In this instance, promoting safe sex, improving access to HIV testing and condoms will supplement existing public health efforts to minimize the HIV/AIDS infections in Philadelphia.

In 2010, the Obama administration announced a new national HIV/AIDS strategy, which focuses on two goals:  reducing the number of new infections annually in the United States and reducing the frequency of discrimination against individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Currently, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects against discrimination in matters of housing, employment, and healthcare.  Yet, rather than relying on laws to eliminate all instances of discrimination, the best way to prevent this is to educate ourselves about HIV/AIDS and become advocates for victims of discrimination.

Although no vaccine exists to inoculate individuals from HIV, research is underway to actualize such a vision.  Until there is such a vaccine, it is vital that we take the time today and beyond to remember those we’ve lost to AIDS, extol the medical breakthroughs in treating and preventing HIV/AIDS, and empower one another to remain sexually healthy.

Agencies and organizations in Philadelphia:

• Philadelphia FIGHT, a “comprehensive AIDS service organization” that provides primary care along with education programs, advocacy and research.

• The Mazzoni Center, located in Center City, is Philadelphia’s only health care service provider that focuses its mission on the health and well being of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.

• Planned Parenthood’s health centers across Pennsylvania, including 13 health centers in Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia provide HIV testing and counseling via walk-in or scheduled appointments. The organization offers rapid-HIV testing at select centers.

• The Philadelphia Aids Consortium (TPAC), another broad-based outreach organization, has been working since 1989 at the community level to combat HIV/AIDS infections.

• Philly residents can show support for World AIDS Day and its efforts by patronizing Philly AIDS Thrift. The dual store and non-profit donates its proceeds to the AIDS Fund Philly, which organizes the annual AIDS Walk Philly and also donates money to 30 HIV/AIDS service organizations in the Philadelphia region.

• For more information about HIV/AIDS testing, education, and outreach in Philadelphia, check out the Philadelphia Health Department’s Aids Activities Coordinating Office.

Image source: http://i0.wp.com/guardianlv.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/world-aids-day-2.png?fit=400%2C400

By Sarah 

With the 2012 Summer Olympics in full swing, athletes are competing and apparently having lots of sex.  And we aren’t kidding.  Preparations for this international event in London included supplying the athletes with approximately 100,000 condoms. This number has become the norm since the 2000 Sydney games where 70,000 Olympian designated condoms ran out.  

Just before the games began, officials at the Olympics made final preparations to ensure that all athletes have the option of safe sex during their 2-week stay in London.

We wanted to use this as a moment to talk about the many other forms of contraception. Most people know about condoms and the birth control pill. From there, the options are vast but a bit murky. Do you know what Ortho Evra is? How about the Birth Control Sponge? Do you know the steps to getting an IUD?

Which birth control method is right for you? Contraception can be tailored to your lifestyle. Several organizations have information available on the numerous options out there including Planned Parenthood’s nifty tool, My Method.  My Method lets you know which birth control method may work best for you. Simply answer a few questions about your lifestyle and you will get suggestions and detailed information on each method.

Go ahead and try it out. Even if you are happy with your current method, it is a great tool to see what all your options.  This is also a great time to re-evaluate your method since insurance companies are beginning to provide coverage for contraceptives with no co-pay as one of the preventive health services covered under the Affordable Care Act.  

As always, be sure to remember oral and hormonal contraceptives protect against pregnancy but not sexually transmitted diseases.  Since condoms protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, we are grateful that our Olympians are well stocked with rubbers.

By Audrey

Today is National HIV Testing Day.  Tomorrow, June 28th, we expect the Supreme Court’s decision on the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).  And next week, on July 4th, as a country, we celebrate our independence. 

Yet, for many of us, our independence is stifled by the attacks on reproductive health or by rising health care costs or a lack of health insurance coverage - either being underinsured or uninsured. 

Despite the negative focus on the individual mandate, etc., the ACA, also known as the health care law, has tremendous benefits.  It will give Americans the independence they need to care for themselves and their families.  It will bring us closer to eliminating the need to decide whether to put food on the table or purchase a prescription or receive a much needed medical test or exam.

In the ACA, there is a menu of preventive health services with no-co pay including HIV testing!  This means, should the health care law withstand the legal challenge, no one will have an excuse not to get an HIV test.

However, as we await a decision, if you have the means to obtain an HIV test, today is the perfect day to schedule an appointment or take advantage of a free testing event since it’s National HIV Testing Day.  And there are many providers who offer low-cost testing throughout Pennsylvania. 

The ACA also prevents insurance companies from denying coverage or discriminating against individuals based on a pre-existing condition.  This is an important clause for anyone living with HIV/AIDS or another chronic disease. 

After everything is said and done, the health care law is a step in the right direction and we hope it will survive the scrutiny by the Supreme Court.  Read more about what’s included in the health care law at: www.healthcare.gov and be sure to spread the word.  It will truly help Americans live long, healthy lives.