As a nation we have made great strides to increase knowledge and information amongst the populace concerning HIV/AIDS, however, there are still instances where people with HIV are denied or discriminated against due to their disability or health status.[1]
Both the ACLU and U.S. Department of Justice are taken measures to challenge both government and private discrimination against people with HIV. In July 2010, President Obama announced the “National HIV/AIDS Strategy”[2] which aims to reduce not only health disparities but discrimination amongst people living with HIV.[3] In addition, it hopes to reduce the number of new HIV infections by 2015.[4]
I think the National HIV/AIDS Strategy is a great attempt but as research shows, HIV drug resistant may occur if individuals fail or forget to take their tablet mediation regimens.[5] HIV drug resistant may make the National HIV/AIDS Strategy more difficult to achieve its 2015 goal. Some of the new HIV prevention pills, such as Truvada, still have serious side effects including kidney failure.[6] Others use Gilead’s Quad pill, which is one pill that combines the Truvada, Sustiva, Bristol-Myers and Squibb drugs.[7] A determination concerning FDA approval for the QUID pill is expected in August 2012.
What are your thoughts about the goals set for 2015? Are there any concerns pertaining to the QUID pill? What problems do you foresee with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy to prohibit employment discrimination and promote access to health care?
[1] Richard Parker and Peter Aggleton with Kathy Attawell, Julie Pulerwitz, and Lisanne Brown. HIV/AIDS-related Stigma and Discrimination: A Conceptual Framework and an Agenda for Action, Horizons Program, May 2012, at http://hivaidsclearinghouse.unesco.org/search/resources/horizons.pdf.; also see R. A. Brooks, PhD, D. J. Martin, D. J. Oritz and R. C. Veniegas, AIDS Care: Perceived Barriers to Employment Among Persons Living with HIV/AIDS, September 27, 2010, pages 756-766.
[2] Thomas E. Perez, Toward AIDS 2012: Fighting Discrimination Against People with HIV/AIDS, The White House Office of National AIDS Policy, July 20, 2012, http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2012/07/20/toward-aids-2012-fighting-discrimination-against-people-hivaids.
[3] National HIV/AIDS Strategy Overview, AIDS.gov, at http://aids.gov/federal-resources/national-hiv-aids-strategy/overview/.
[4] National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States, The White House Office of National AIDS Policy, July 10, 2012, at http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/NHAS.pdf.
[5] Claire Bates, Once-a-day Pill that Makes HIV Treatment Easier and with Fewer Side-Effects Moves a Step Closer, Mail Online, June 29, 2012, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2166476/Once-day-HIV-pill-help-patients-stick-medication.html.
[6] Jason Beaubien, HIV Prevention Pill, NPR’s Health Blog, July 19, 2012, http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/07/19/157056017/south-african-doctors-uneasy-about-hiv-prevention-pill.
[7] Study Shows Gilead’s Quad Pill for HIV Effective & Less Side Effects, SpecialtyPharmaJournal.com, July 31, 2012, at http://www.specialtypharmajournal.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2918:study-shows-gileads-quad-pill-for-hiv-effective-a-less-side-effects&catid=336:hiv&Itemid=547; Donald G. McNeil, Jr., AIDS: New Four-Drug Pill Taken Daily Tests Better Than Other Regimens, The New York Times Global Health Update, July 2, 2012, at http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/03/health/quad-once-a-day-pill-tests-better-than-other-regimens.html.
Washington Attorneys with Disabilities Association 