tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5141703.post3473190908432745889..comments2024-02-21T17:03:05.861-08:00Comments on Petrelis Files: Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08359712473083091475noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5141703.post-27346257907928515742010-03-02T22:50:49.144-08:002010-03-02T22:50:49.144-08:00Something to keep in mind is that HIV transmission...Something to keep in mind is that HIV transmission rates in the U.S. are very close to the averaged failure rate of condoms. And the brand with the largest market share in the U.S., has higher than average failure rate (and was much worse in the early 80's).<br /><br />Since studies have indicated that HIV+ people who are on the antivirals and have suppressed viral loads (<50) are essentially noninfectious, the focus on gay men is a mistake.<br /><br />The focus needs to be, as it always should have been, on people of <b>any</b> demographic who engage in unprotected sex. It means that the plethora of birth control pills marketed to heterosexual women are irresponsible at the very least.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5141703.post-10366140018482571612010-02-28T17:56:41.596-08:002010-02-28T17:56:41.596-08:00Michael, you have misinterpreted the Australian da...Michael, you have misinterpreted the Australian data somewhat. The number of HIV diagnoses in Australia peaked in 1987, but this is not the same as new infections. <br /><br />The HIV test became widely available in Australia at the end of 1986, which explains the spike in diagnoses in 1987. Many (probably most) of these cases would have been infected for several years prior to diagnosis.<br /><br />More recent Australian surveillance data includes the date of last negative test, date of presumed HIV acquisition and we also collect separate data on 'newly acquired HIV infections' as well as HIV diagnoses.<br /><br />As in the UK, HIV infections fell dramatically over the first 15 years of the epidemic, and here they reached their lowest point in 1999. Since then, the number of new infections has slowly risen, from a low of 718 (in 1999) to 995 (in 2008). That's a 38% increase in the ten-year period.<br /><br />I think you're wrong to compare the low level of infections achieved after 15 years of safe sex advocacy to the high level that occurred before safe sex was commonplace. And I think Pisani is right to point out that in western countries (especially those, like the UK and Australia, that have publicly-funded universal healthcare programs) that AIDS is over.<br /><br />Here in Oz we have almost 20,000 people living with HIV, and last year we recoded about 200 deaths, of which fewer than 40 were due to AIDS-related causes. I didn't read in Pisani's article any 'nostalgia for the bad old days' – I think that's an offensive observation to make.<br /><br />The truth is that we need a new engagement with HIV prevention that acknowledges and celebrates the reality that an HIV infection is no longer likely to be a death sentence, and moves on from the 'use a condom or you'll die' messages that are still disturbingly prevalent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5141703.post-88499692667414822492010-02-28T16:20:39.032-08:002010-02-28T16:20:39.032-08:00This post isn't very fair. I've read Pisan...This post isn't very fair. I've read Pisani's book and she repeatedly praised the efforts of gay men in fighting HIV/AIDS in developed countries. She also argued that HIV in other parts of the world can't always be addressed by empowering the gay community. In a countries where drug use or prostitution or the sexual habits of heterosexuals are the leading cause of HIV, basing prevention on what has worked in developed countries doesn't make a whole lot of sense. Also see:<br /><br />http://www.wisdomofwhores.com/2010/02/24/test-and-treat-wont-beat-hiv/<br /><br />And:<br /><br />http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2010/02/difficult-truths.html<br /><br />Insinuating that she somehow is "expressing nostalgia for the bad old 'fags dying like flies' days before protease inhibitors" is contrary to everything of hers that I have read.<br /><br />all best,<br />PatrickAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5141703.post-53344443022599841202010-02-28T10:54:47.367-08:002010-02-28T10:54:47.367-08:00this note was emailed from longtime DC-based HIV r...this note was emailed from longtime DC-based HIV reporter bob roehr:<br /><br />All of the statistics of DIAGNOSES, particularly the ones prior to about 2000 are laden with LOTS of social factors. For instance, the early peaks of both HIV and AIDS diagnoses are strongly influenced by the availability of tests (and standard vs rapid); a reason to get tested (if you can't do anything about it, why get tested); and the availability of treatment.<br /> <br />The backlog of infections accounts for the early peak of HIV diagnoses. The availability of HAART accounts for the decline from peak of the AIDS diagnoses.<br /> <br />What really matters are new/recent infections and only the last chart addresses that. Much of the decline from peak is explained by gay men practicing safer sex, long before the availability of a test or treatment.<br /> <br />Bob RoehrAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08359712473083091475noreply@blogger.com