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The Summit to End the HIV/AIDS
Epidemic in America took place in Las Vegas two days before the Annual US
Conference on AIDS (USCA). The National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), the host
of USCA, also organized the summit. Approximately 150 persons attended, including
executive directors of community-based organizations (CBOs), senior state and
local health department staff, and leaders of community health centers. Dr.
Julio Montaner, professor of medicine at the University of British Columbia and
director of the British Columbia Center for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, and Dr. Ron
Valdiserri, deputy assistant secretary for Health, Infectious Diseases and
director, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy at the US Department
of Health and Human Services, both gave opening addresses.
Dr. Montaner asserted that treatment
as prevention was the key to an AIDS-free generation. He explained the science
behind the concept, using illustrations from British Columbia, where there have
been significant reductions in new HIV infections after increased treatment
efforts. He also discussed the benefits of earlier HIV-treatment initiation. An
important factor was preventing HIV-infected persons from falling through the
cracks and making sure that a greater number of persons with HIV/AIDS are
linked to treatment and achieve a suppressed viral load. Dr. Montaner
acknowledged the important roles of CBOs in the process.
Dr. Valdiserri discussed principles
for achieving an AIDS-free generation, illustrating each principle with examples
from recent HIV research. He also highlighted various approaches for CBOs and
other partners to examine as they work to assess and possibly revamp their
roles in the fight to end HIV/AIDS in the United States.
The summit featured the release of
the Declaration to End HIV/AIDS in America. NMAC convened a blue-ribbon panel
with representatives from more than 100 community-based, public, and private
organizations; governmental leaders; and people with HIV/AIDS. The declaration
discusses how to translate policy and science into ending HIV/AIDS. Dr. Benny
Primm, a founder and Chair Emeritus of NMAC, invited participants to sign the
declaration as a way of rededicating themselves to ending HIV/AIDS in America.
The summit continued with presentations on the following key topics: HIV
testing and diagnosis; linkage and access to care; retention in care; and
treatment. Leaders of HIV programs also held small group discussions on the
presentations, their own experiences and concerns, and how their organizations
will move forward to better serve their communities and help end HIV/AIDS in
America.
To read the blog in its entirety,
visit: http://blog.aids.gov/2012/10/2012-u-s-conference-on-aids-highlights-from-pre-conference-summit-to-end-the-hivaids-epidemic-in-america.html.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
