2007 National HIV Prevention Conference
At least 3,000 people attended the 2007 National HIV Prevention Conference (NHPC) at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, December 2 – 5. That number included HIV Programs Coordinator for the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), Judy Nielsen, and Casey and Eddie Rudd of Connections, Bozeman. The conference offered more than 500 sessions and presentations. The Rudds presented their groundbreaking interventions, “Taking it to the System,” and “Taking it to the Population.”
This was the largest NHPC yet. It focused on prevention challenges and emphasized integration of science-based research into prevention programs.
New Interventions
The Director of the CDC National Center for HIV/AIDS, Kevin Fenton, MD, PhD, talked about routine HIV testing and new prevention interventions planned for the future. He also said new CDC HIV case estimates are expected in the new future. These will directly measure newer HIV infections and help to get a handle on the actual incidence.
Dr. Fenton made a commitment to address societal issues that drive HIV in the United States. “Racism, homophobia, discrimination and stigma are some of society’s longstanding challenges.” says Dr. Fenton. He said CDC will work to reduce stigma through routine testing, social marketing and health communication, and by building structural partners, engaging communities and expanding the search for solutions.
He said CDC will continue to collaborate with other federal agencies to facilitate integrated comprehensive approaches to HIV prevention.
Dr. Fenton challenged the audience to reflect over the past 26 years of the epidemic and think about those we have loved and lost. “So much has been lost, yet so much achieved. And the challenges ahead are daunting.” He encouraged the participants to use the conference to engage, mobilize and act.
Zero Transmission
CDC Director, Julie Gerberding, MD, PhD, also discussed challenges. “There are incredible HIV treatments,” said Dr. Gerberding. “Yet access is a challenge here in the U.S. and in the world. These drugs are not a magic bullet. The adverse effects are very real for people who are experiencing them.”
Dr. Gerberding expressed hope about the new science being developed to determine infection. “We hope to get to the point where we can know the ‘who, what, when, where, why, how and how many’ of this disease so we can have a chance to shine the brightest light on the problems that need the most attention.”
She said the United States is making the largest investment in HIV/AIDS that has ever been made but we are also seeing the largest number of people infected with the disease since the epidemic began to unfold. She said there has been a reduction in HIV cases among women, IDU and teenagers, but older teenagers, adults ages 35 – 39, and the African American, MSM and Latino populations are disproportionately reflected in the incidence.
Dr. Gerberding pledged that CDC will continue to do its part to fight for zero transmission. “Whatever we are doing, we are not doing enough until there are no more panels in the AIDS quilt and until the incidence of new infections is zero.”
HIV Testing
The Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Christopher Bates, focused his speech on HIV testing. “There are 250,000 people in this country who don’t know their HIV status. We need to be talking about testing in our communities,” said Bates. He coordinates the National Community Mobilization Campaign, “Take care of your health. Take care of your life. Get tested for HIV.”
Prevention for Love
Another speaker, Jesse Milan, Jr., JD, Vice President, Global Health Convergence, began with a call to action for a stepped-up national HIV/AIDS policy. “It makes no sense that the United States requires countries receiving our funding for HIV and AIDS to have comprehensive national policies and we do not have a decent one ourselves,” said Milan. He adds the policy should require schools to offer comprehensive sexual health education, workplaces to set anti-discrimination rules regarding HIV, and the U.S. Department of Justice to insure ‘real prevention’ in federal prisons.
Milan thanked the CDC for its heightened response to the HIV incidence in the African American population. “We also need a heightened response for Latinos, Native Americans and gay men of all colors.”
Milan told the audience that early December holds mixed emotions for him, from December 1 World AIDS Day commemorations to December 3, the anniversary of his partner’s death. “All I can think about is love,” said Milan.
He says people are caught between the love they have and the fear of losing love despite the risk of HIV.
“Women are afraid to ask their man to wear a condom, or ask them to get an HIV test because of the love they might lose. Men so lacking in self-love because of the stigma of their sexuality act out in unhealthy ways that put them at risk. People so bereft of love that they seek solace in drugs that alter their minds and existence. If only all of them knew just how much you care.” He told the audience what they do in HIV prevention is based on love.
To view sessions online via webcast or podcast, visit:
http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=2343
Sessions are also available at:
http://www.cdcnpin-ta.org/Default.aspx
For further information, contact the HIV/STD Section at 1-406-444-3565.
Department of Public Health and Human Services (PHHS)
12-19-07
