Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Washington Post (11.13.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009
Darryl Fears
"The purpose is to get the level [of HIV in the blood] down so that people will not infect anyone because their viral load is so low," said Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. "The philosophy is if you could test everybody, and treat everybody who has HIV, you could use treatment as prevention."
The experiment follows a World Health Organization report last year that suggested the strategy could reduce HIV prevalence to 1 percent in 50 years. It is to be launched by the White House around the time of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1.
The approach relies on global universal treatment with antiretroviral medications. The study protocol calls for health department personnel to be schooled in modernizing patient record-keeping and encouraging patients to take medication even when they feel well.
One study area is Anacostia, a predominately African-American community on Washington's south side. A similar experiment is underway in the Bronx, New York City.
Detractors suggest there is no scientific evidence to suggest the approach will work and that it would be financially prohibitive to implement even if it were effective.
"It's so far in the hypothetical stage that I wouldn't even rank it" among the proven methods of controlling HIV such as condoms and needle exchange, Fauci acknowledged.
Bradley G. Wagner and Sally Blowers, University of California- Los Angeles researchers who say they advanced the "treatment as prevention" approach 10 years ago, approved of the WHO strategy albeit with lower expectations.
091116
AD091959
Copyright © 2009 - Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD. The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC HIV/STD/TB Prevention News Update should be cited as the source of the information. Contact the sources of the articles abstracted below for full texts of the articles.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2009. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2009. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.
.