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Rights Here, Right Now a report from the XVIII International AIDS Conference Vienna, Austria by the Black AIDS Institute Our People Our Problem Our Solution
Rights Here, Right Now is a publication of the Black AIDS Institute, 1833 West Eighth Street, Los Angeles, California 90057-4257, 213-353-3610, 213-989-0181 fax, info@BlackAIDS.org, www.BlackAIDS.org. © 2010 Black AIDS Institute. All rights reserved. The slogan “Our People, Our Problem, Our Solution” is a trademark of the Black AIDS Institute. Views and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Black AIDS Institute. Publication of the name or photograph of a person does not indicate the sexual orientation or HIV status of the person or necessarily constitute an endorsement of the Institute or its policies. Some photographs in this publication use professional models. Rights Here, Right Now is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professiona l services. The information provided through this publication should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. This report was made possible by the generous support of EMD Serono, Inc., Tibotec Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Merck and Company, Arcus Foundation, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Ford Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Act Against AIDS, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases HIV Vaccine Research Education Initiative Program Ver. 1.2
Contents
6 The Year of the Black By Phill Wilson
8 Finding Our Voices, Claiming Our Power By Hilary Beard
10 AIDS is a Black—and Poor—Disease By George E. Curry | from BlackPressUSA.com
12 Q&A with Kevin Fenton By Lynya Floyd
13 What Will HIV Look Like in 2015? By Lynya Floyd | from Essence.com
14 Topical Medication Makes HIV History By Linda Villarosa
16 Q&A with Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim By Tomika Anderson
18 Prejudice Remains Obstacle in Epidemic By Rod McCullom
19 Poor Likeliest to Get HIV By Ramon Johnson | from About.com
20 Progress Made in Vaccine Development By Ramon Johnson
22 Protesters Open Up World AIDS Conference with Rage By Angela Bronner Helm
24 Black Women and HIV: Don’t Blame the Down Low By Lynya Floyd | from Essence.com
25 Q&A with Dr. Lisa Bowleg By Ayana Byrd
26 It’s Confirmed: Race Still Matters By Phill Wilson
28 Researchers Moving Toward HIV/AIDS Treatments and Cures By Glenn Ellis
30 Obama Officials, Activists Discuss National HIV/AIDS Strategy By Rod McCullom
32 Sheila Johnson Escaping Shadow of BET By George E. Curry | from Seattlemedium.com
33 Q&A with Sheila Johnson By Linda Villarosa
35 Young People Connect, Struggle to Be Heard By Kali Villarosa
36 Top Officials Discuss New AIDS Strategy with Black Journalists By Linda Villarosa
38 Get Prepared for PrEP: Treatment as Prevention Moves Ahead By Angela Bronner Helm
40 Race Still Matters in Fight against HIV/AIDS By Rod McCullom | from TheGrio.com
42 Women and Girls Obtain Their Place at the Table By Ayana Byrd
44 Freshman AIDS Conference Trip Yields Important Lessons By Gary J. Bell
45 Homophobia, Demonization By Ramon Johnson | from About.com
46 Governments Struggle to Cope with ADAP Funding Crisis By Tomika Anderson
48 CDC Says Poverty Is Factor in HIV Among Blacks By George E. Curry
50 Rally Rocks Streets of Vienna By Lynya Floyd
52 New Gel Is Potential Game Changer for Women By Linda Villarosa | from Women’s Media Center
55 Researchers Get Standing Ovation at AIDS Conference By Lynya Floyd | from Essence.com
56 President Obama’s Mixed Record on HIV/AIDS By George E. Curry | from BlackPressUSA.com
58 Global Village Is Vibrant But Still Not Perfect By Angela Bronner Helm
58 Race Still Matters: Statement by Black AIDS Institute
60 Husband, Wife May Alter Course of the HIV Epidemic By Tomika Anderson
62 Alarming Increase Among Younger Black MSM By Rod McCullom
63 HCV Travels Through Blood By Ramon Johnson | from About.com
64 AIDS-Ravaged Africa Now Offers Best Hope for Future By George E. Curry | from Thedefendersonline.com
66 Institute Takes Media Delegation to AIDS Conference By Glenn Ellis | from the Philadelphia Tribune
68 AIDS Conference Ends with Optimism By George E. Curry | from the Philadelphia Inquirer
70 Too Early to Declare Victory, but It’s About Hope By Phill Wilson
73 African/Black Diaspora Roadmap By the African and Black Diaspora Global Network on HIV and AIDS
82 About the Black AIDS Institute
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 3
Rights Here, Right Now
Editor Rod McCullom Special Thanks
Reporting for TheGrio.com
Hilary Beard and Rod20.com Raniyah Abdus-Samad African and Black
Editor-in-chief, Black AIDS Kali Villarosa Maggie Abrego Diaspora Global Network
Weekly; former editor-in- Youth journalist, reporting for Regina Aragon on HIV and AIDS
chief, National Medical the Women’s Media Center Robert Bailey, II Governing Council
Association’s Healthy Living Linda Villarosa Charlie Baran Women’s Health in Women’s
magazine and Real Health, a Former health editor, New Chris Bland Hands
Smart+Strong publication York Times and managing Jeffrey S. Crowley, M.P.H. African Caribbean Council on
editor Essence magazine, Christine Deshay HIV and AIDS in Ontario
Participating reporting for the Washigton Carl W. Dieffenbach, Ph.D. Interagency Coalition on
Journalists Post website TheRoot.com Kevin Fenton, M.D., Ph.D. AIDS and Development
Helene D. Gayle, M.D., Black AIDS Institute
Tomika Anderson M.P.H., African Services Committee
Freelance health writer and
Treatment Ambassador Eric Goosby, AIDES
television producer reporting
Advocates M.D. Light of Africa NRW e.V.
for Heart & Soul Gary Bell Scott Hamilton Caribbean Vulnerable
Angela Bronner Helm BEBASHI, Philadelphia, Pa. Kirsten Johnson Communities
Senior/managing editor, AOL Sheila Johnson African HIV Policy Network
Jeffrey Campbell
Black Voices Susan Koch
St. Hope Foundation,
Ayana Byrd Howard Koh, M.P.H., M.D.
Houston, Tex.
Articles and sexual health and Jonathan Mermin, M.D.,
Mark Colomb M.P.H.
relationships editor, Glamour My Brother’s Keeper, Jackson
magazine Jesse Milan Jr., Esq.
Miss. Gregorio Millett
George E. Curry
Natasha Moise
Syndicated columnist and
former editor-in-chief Emerge
Photographers Deborah Parham-Hopson,
Ph.D., M.S.P.H., R.N.
magazine and the National Alice Tisdale Pierre Peyrot
Newspaper Publisher’s Ann Ragland Sid Porter
Association News Service Notisha Massaquoi Brenna Pye
Glenn Ellis LeNee Richards
Syndicated columnist, Online Andria Reta
National Newspaper Production Giardy Ritz
Publisher’s Association, Manager Gopi Shah
columnist EURWeb.com Mitchell Warren
Lynya Floyd Mondella Jones Joyce M. Zenon-Peters
Senior editor, health and
relationships at Time Inc.’s, Print Designer
Essence magazine and
Essence.com Alan Bell
Ramon Johnson
Gay lifestyle guide on About.
com, a New York Times
company
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 5
The Year of the Black
By Phill Wilson
In the weeks since the Black
AIDS Institute’s delegation Phill Wilson
of journalists, activists and
people living with HIV/AIDS
left the International AIDS
Conference (IAC) in Vienna
Austria, I’ve been sorting,
filtering and putting into
perspective our experiences
and memories of the week.
By the end of the conference
we were exhausted, but we
were also extremely inspired.
I don’t think I was alone in
wishing every Black person
in America could have par-
ticipated in this year’s IAC
gathering. Many of the major
findings and stories of this
year’s conference were about
Black people. It was, if you
will “the Year of the Black.” A few days before the Blacks living in either urban and poverty in urban inner
The purpose of this report is conference opened, President centers or poor Blacks in the cities have to ask the ques-
to share with you as many of Obama released the first U.S. rural south. tion, “Who is poor in inner
the highlights of the Vienna National HIV/AIDS Strategy. The first major story of city America?, and Who gets
conference as the pages of The strategy explicitly calls the conference was about AIDS in inner city Ameri-
this report will allow. for focusing on the most race, poverty and AIDS. To ca?” It’s not an accident that
at-risk populations includ- make sure that this story was both groups of people are
A good ing Black Americans, men characterized and contexu- overwhelmingly Black.
beginning who have sex with men and alized in an accurate way, a The third and most
people living in the south delegation of Black journal- moving experience of this
Even before the confer- and north east. From our ists met with a representa- conference is the story about
ence began, we learned about point of view all three of tive of the CDC to provide microbicides. This story is
new breakthroughs that these vulnerable populations a Black perspective on this important for women, and
might help in the develop- are disproportionately Black. study. In the United States, it’s particularly important
ment of an HIV/AIDS vac- The epidemic among gay and at least, you cannot disen- for Black women across the
cine. Researchers identified bisexual men is dispropor- gage poverty from race. Not Disapora and in Africa.
three antibodies that when tionately Black, with young only are they of a whole The majority of the women
combined provide protection Black gay men at particu- cloth, they are causal, in impacted by HIV are Black
against 99 percent of strands larly high risk. Likewise, fact, while Black people do women. The fact that this
of the virus, and the primary the epidemics in the south not come close to making a extremely elegant clinical
antibody was found in a and northeast are primar- majority of poor people in trial and presentation were
Black man. ily driven by high rates of America. Studies about race performed completely by
6 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS Institute
South Africans exposes the ference. In our small way, the journalists, activists, youth,
lie and the stereotype that report attempts to chronicle and people living with HIV/
Africa can’t deliver quality the role of the CDC (in- AIDS that lost sleep and t-
science. That was a wonder- cluding conversations and cells to bring you this report,
ful experience. presentations by Dr. Kevin I hope you find it interesting,
The fourth leading story Fenton and Dr. John Mer- inspiring, but most impor-
of the conference was PrEP, man), NIAID, HRSA, and tant, I hope it helps you be
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis. U.S.-based community- better at doing your work.
PrEP involves using a bio- based organizations as well We look forward to receiv-
logical barrier in people who as looking at what the phar- ing feedback from you and
are HIV-negative to prevent maceutical industry is doing. working with you on future
HIV transmission. PrEP is There are stories about Black projects. Until then, please
most likely to be a strategy leadership from the Honor- take care of yourself and
employed in populations able Barbara Lee, Dr. Helene your blessings.
where there are dispropor- Gayle (the Chair of the
tionately high rates of HIV President’s Advisory Council Yours in the struggle,
infection like Black America, on HIV/AIDS), Jeff Crowley
the Caribbean and sub- (director of the White House
Saharan Africa. office of National AIDS
The next time this body Policy), and philanthropist, Phill Wilson
gathers will be in Washing- Sheila Johnson. President and CEO
ton, D.C. There’s no way that Black AIDS Institute
conference cannot focus special thanks
primarily on Black people.
So the road to AIDS2012 in We want to thank our
Washington D.C. has already partners in this effort, from
begun. the community-based orga-
nizations we worked with
importance to like BEBASHI, My Brother’s
black america Keeper, and the St. Hope
Foundation, to corporate
These are just a few of partners, Merck, EMD Se-
the stories from the XVIII rono and Tibotec.
International AIDS Confer- We are at a crossroads
ence included in this report. now: a lot of the tools neces-
We’ve attempted to include sary to end the AIDS epi-
stories that would be of par- demic are in place. It’s up to
ticular importance to Black us to pick up those tools and
America from the activities to use them efficiently, effec-
presented by the African, tively and compassionately
Black Diaspora Global to bring about the end of the
Network to the U.S. govern- AIDS epidemic in our com-
ment’s delegation to the con- munities. On behalf of the
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 7
Finding Our Voices,
Claiming Our Power
By Hilary Beard
When I was asked to lead from relationships, families a friend who attended the her children—a lineage that
the Black AIDS Institute’s and communities in devas- session where the researchers would, in time, include me.
Black media delegation to tating numbers—wreaking had announced their results. I knew that, if necessary, I
the 2010 International AIDS havoc upon millions and “I don’t know,” he replied, would leverage this heritage.
Conference in Vienna in costing America dearly, a “I wanted to ask but was The question would be asked
July, I assumed that I would price that it doesn’t acknowl- chicken shit.” in the press conference that
work in the background as edge it pays. afternoon.
an editor often does. I would I wanted to know how Feeling But how does a Black
assemble the team, research, this microbicide would play, “No Ways Tired” woman pose such an indis-
plan, assign, edit, and coach not just in Peoria (or Preto- creet query in the presence
writers as they penned their ria, for that matter), but in We both knew that lives of men whom she does not
pieces, and if lucky, I would Black Philadelphia—Penn- lay in the balance. If wom- know and a media that con-
attend a few sessions and sylvania and Mississippi. en—and hopefully, men— sistently exploits her likeness
perhaps even write a little. Would women use it under are one day to use such a gel, and refuses to see beyond
Our journalist team would real-world conditions, in their partner cannot detect it Black women’s body parts?
be out front, researching and which they may fear not only nor can it interfere with the Might asking dishonor me,
reporting on issues impor- losing love, but jeopardiz- sexual experience. Someone my race or my ancestors
tant to Black people world- ing their economic stability, needed to inquire what the whose bravery had forged
wide, particularly Black placing their children in gel tasted like, whether feel- my pathway into that room?
Americans. harm’s way, experiencing ing timid or not. The South Could my honest question
But on Day Two the verbal, emotional or physical African principal investiga- be distorted into a shameful,
groundbreaking CAPRISA abuse, and or experiencing tors were not faint-hearted but all-too-common, image:
microbicide research (see less of such a basic human and had not backed down Black woman hyper-sexual-
pages 14, 16, 20, 52 and pleasure in their (often an- despite failing on seven ized? And what would Jesus
55) captured my attention. guishing) lives? previous attempts. The Black do?
Women the world over I, too, have experienced South African female clini-
struggle to protect them- such trepidation—in my case cal trial volunteers hadn’t Serving
selves from HIV/AIDS, in worrying that my persistence chickened out, but rather the World
part because of unequal about using condoms might had risked the well-being of
gender dynamics and demo- strain a romance, but noth- their most intimate selves in During the press confer-
graphics; greater authority ing more severe than that. I an effort to end AIDS’ dev- ence the taste question hung
often rests in men’s hands, am well educated, provide astation. My parents hadn’t in the air—no journalist
increasing women’s infection well for myself, don’t have wavered after deciding that asked the obvious. I sum-
risk. Many African Ameri- children to worry about and our family would integrate moned the courage to pose
can women experience this have never been abused. our neighborhood despite it myself, but a Black woman
reality, as they seek to love, Such privilege demands neighbors’ threats to burn can’t just walk up to a mic
bear children and build that I advocate for others. down our home. My great- and say, “How does the mi-
families in communities Both the Bible and African great-grandmother, enslaved crobicide taste?” Or can she?
decimated by our govern- proverbs guide me: To whom in Georgia, had fearlessly I asked my friend and men-
ment’s “war on drugs” and much is given, much is chopped off her own big toe, tor Linda Villarosa, whose
its consequent criminaliza- required. undercutting her market pedigree includes Essence
tion of Black males, whose “What does the micro- value after hearing that she magazine and the New York
incarceration wrenches men bicide taste like?” I asked would be sold away from Times, for advice. She sug-
8 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS Institute
gested asking the researchers notepads and pens, a sea of African television cam- than we’ve been before;
to describe the gel’s proper- (mostly) white faces lined up eraman told me that my we must locate our most
ties. Perfect! several rows deep. question was brilliant—a powerful voice. Black people,
My turn. “Last question; Then I witnessed right-brain question in a left- in particular, must start
quick question; quick an- something remarkable: brained room. Perhaps. Yet expressing the previously
swer,” the moderator said. Black women, followed by I had merely asked what any unspeakable, communicat-
As I deep-breathed the several white men, shoved woman who might use the ing about subjects we’ve
voice in my head recited their way through the gel would want to know. The never discussed before and
the Marianne Williamson reporters to sample the gel fact that I needed to pose the advocating for ourselves, our
line that I’d memorized for themselves. Stunned question at all underscored loved ones and our commu-
years earlier (and often and now humbled by what the importance of my pres- nities. We each must find the
erroneously attributed to their determination implied, ence in that room and of our courage to ask:
Nelson Mandela’s inaugu- I placed a small blob into delegation’s vital role at the m Is this a monogamous
ral address): Your playing several hands then displayed conference. relationship?
small doesn’t serve the world. my microbicide-filled palm Of course, I was not the m Do you know your
There’s nothing enlightened to the cameras. only Black journalist who HIV status?
about shrinking… brandished a braver voice m When can I see your
“Can you characterize Brilliant that week. Each member of HIV-test results?
the nature of the gel for me, or Basic? our delegation became pro- m Why don’t we use a
please? What does it look gressively powerful. Wheth- condom?
like? What does it smell But my ancestors er refuting mainstream m Father, mother, uncle,
like? What’s the touch-feel? warned me not to sample media claims that poverty, auntie, sister, brother, have
How does it taste? Take me the gel. “Your job is done,” rather than race, drives the you spoken explicitly to your
through the five senses,” I they whispered. I left the U.S. epidemic, demanding son, daughter, friend, loved
said. on-camera taste-testing to the same advance access to one about the steps they
Then principal co-inves- somebody else. With the experts that mainstream must take to avoid becom-
tigator, epidemiologist Dr. media’s attention elsewhere, outlets obtain, or represent- ing infected—and are you
Quarraisha Abdool Karim, I examined the microbicide ing underserved people engaging in those behaviors
startled me by inviting me to discreetly: it is clear, odor- by voicing their interests, as well?
the dais to see for myself. A less, the consistency of KY we asserted ourselves as m Leader, what actions
panelist passed the applica- jelly and has a slightly saline, analysts and advocates for are you taking to help end
tor to me and I squirted a body-like flavor. A woman Black people throughout the this epidemic?
dollop of gel into my hand. could use it without her Diaspora. If my Vienna experience
When I looked up I found partner knowing. (It has not The international AIDS taught me anything, it taught
myself encircled by TV yet been tested for men.) community took note. me this: As our community
cameras, digital cameras, Afterward a white South People inquired who we finds its collective voice, the
were and why we had come, world will treat us with the
Hilary Beard considered our perspec- respect we deserve. We will
tives, honored our concerns, end this curse upon Black
granted late-night interviews communities. In the process
and even admitted being our offspring will witness
unable to address all of our our courage, empowering
queries because they’d never them to conquer the plights
considered questions like they will face during their
them before. Opened eyes lifetimes. At that point
and honest dialogues proved people like me will step from
that we’d earned universal the spotlight and return to
respect. the background. But not
until then.
Untying Still adjusting to the
Our Tongues limelight,
Whether overseas or in
the United States, publi-
cally or in our bedrooms, the
AIDS epidemic requires us Hilary Beard
to step beyond our comfort Editor-in-Chief
zones. We must be braver Black AIDS Weekly
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 9
disparities
AIDS is a Black—and Poor—
Disease
CDC Report Demonstrates Link between Poverty and HIV risk,
and a Widespread HIV Epidemic in America’s Inner Cities
By George E. Curry | from BlackPressUSA.com
Phill Wilson, president and HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, overall have disproportion- Jonathan Mermin, direc-
CEO of the Black AIDS In- STD and TB Prevention, said ately high HIV- infection tor of the CDC’s Division
stitute, has good reasons for in a statement. “In this coun- rates, there was no sig- on HIV/AIDS Prevention,
describing AIDS as a Black try, HIV clearly strikes at the nificant racial or ethnic gap stated, “There is nothing
disease. Although Blacks economically disadvantaged among heterosexuals living biological that has caused
are 12.8 percent of the U.S. in a devastating way.” in poor urban neighbor- African Americans to have
population, they represent 45 hoods. such a disproportionate rate
percent of all people infected first time study “Within the low income of HIV infection. It’s the so-
each year with HIV, the urban areas included in the cial, it’s the economic, it’s the
virus that causes AIDS. The CDC findings were study, individuals living epidemilogical environment
Black women represent 66 released here at the biennial below the poverty line were in which people live.”
percent of all new HIV cases international AIDS Confer- at greater risk for HIV than He added, “There are
each year among women. ence. The study, conducted those living above it (2.4 per- multiple factors associated
A study conducted in five in 2006 and 2007, included cent prevalences vs. 1.2 per- with HIV infection in the
major cities found that 46 more than 9,000 hetero- cent), though prevalence for United States.
percent of gay and bisexual sexual adults aged 18 to 58, both groups was far higher One of the main factors
Black men have contracted about 77 percent of whom than the national average is race. In addition, even
HIV, compared to 21 percent were Black. Specific census (0.45 percent),” the CDC among African Americans,
of similar white men, and tracts in 25 communities said in a statement. “There poverty is also a risk factor,
although Black teenagers with a poverty rate of at least were no significant differ- as it is with others.”
are only 15 percent of the 20 percent were selected to ences in HIV prevalence by According to the Na-
U.S. teen population, they be studied. The CDC report race or ethnicity in these low tional Poverty Center at the
account for 68 percent of combined data from census income urban areas: preva- University of Michigan, 24.7
all new AIDS cases among tracts in 23 of the 25 cities, lence was 2.1 percent among percent of Blacks lived below
teens. including Atlanta, Wash- Blacks, 2.1 percent among the poverty line in 2008,
In what it calls the first ington, D.C., Newark, St. Hispanics, and 1.7 percent compared to 23.2 percent
federal study of its kind, the Louis, New Orleans, Dallas, among whites. of Hispanics, 8.6 percent of
Centers for Disease Control Detroit, Philadelphia, Los “By contrast, the U.S. non-Hispanic whites and
and Prevention has now Angeles and Seattle. It did epidemic overall is char- 11.8 percent of Asians. Pov-
added poverty as another not provide data on the indi- acterized by severe racial/ erty was defined in 2007 as
factor—at least for hetero- vidual cities. ethnic disparities: the HIV an individual with an annual
sexuals living in poor, urban Although the CDC has prevalence rates for Blacks is income of approximately
communities in the United conducted major studies on almost 8 times that of whites, $10,000 or less.
States—likely to increase the HIV prevalence rates among and the HIV prevalence rate “What’s surprising about
risk of becoming infected gay and bisexual men as among Hispanics is nearly 3 these results is that if you
with HIV. well as drug users, this is the times that of whites.” are living in these areas and
“The study reveals a first time it has conducted your household income is
powerful link between a separate study on hetero- risk factors less than $10,000 a year,
poverty and HIV risk, and sexuals living in poor urban you’re seven times more
a widespread HIV epidemic communities. In an interview with a likely to have HIV than if
in America’s inner cities,” Researchers were group of African American you’re in these areas and
Dr. Kevin Fenton, director of surprised to discover that reporters assembled by the your household income is
CDC’s National Center for although African Americans Black AIDS Institute, Dr. greater than $50,000 a year,”
10 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS InstituteKevin Fenton
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 11said Mermin, whose depart-
ment supervised the study.
Phill Wilson of the Black
Q&A with
AIDS Institute looked at Kevin Fenton
the numbers from another The Centers for Disease Control and and Hispanic, which is equal to if you’re
perspective. Prevention released a study of over 9,000 poor and white.
He said, “The study tells heterosexual adults living in high-poverty
us that when other racial and areas of 23 cities nationwide. One of the Seventy-seven percent of the
ethnic groups face the same findings: HIV prevalence rates in urban people in the study were Black and
social determinants of health poverty areas did not differ significantly by only four percent were Caucasian.
as Blacks—the social and race or ethnicity. Were you at all concerned about
economic conditions within We asked Kevin Fenton, M.D., Ph.D., comparing such a small group of
which they live and that im- director of CDC’s National Center for Caucasians to such a large group of
pact their well-being—their HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Blacks?
HIV rates rise to similar Prevention, to give us some insight into No, because it reflects the reality of
levels as those of Blacks, what the study means. inner city life in the United States. And
even for whites whose rate statistically we have enough in each cell to
of infection is normally sub- Bottom line: Is the study saying do the comparison.
stantially lower than rates for that the high rates of HIV in African
both Blacks and Latinos.” Americans are due to poverty, not Are there assumptions about why
The link between poverty race? poverty is driving HIV?
and HIV is an intriguing one No. A better bottom line would be We’re working the causal pathways. If
that raises critical questions that poverty is a factor which is driving you’re poor, you may have to participate in
about access to health care, the high rates of HIV that we’re seeing in transactional sex [selling sex] to survive.
the socio-economic standing African Americans and other minorities We know that in poor parts of the country
of sexual partners and the in our inner cities. We know there are we not only see high rates of HIV but also
impact one’s environment individual factors: for example, high rates high rates of STDs and those are co-factors
has on contracting the virus. of unsafe sex, injection drug use, having for HIV. Poor areas also have high rates of
CDC officials acknowl- multiple concurrent partners, high STD injection drug use and other types of risk
edge that additional research rates. We know there are health system behaviors. Poverty is also related to qual-
needs to be conducted now factors, for example, poor access to quality ity, location and access to health services.
that a direct link has been services. And then social determinants of In poor parts of many cities, community
clearly established between health drive vulnerability to the epidemic, health centers, quality of private doctors
poverty and HIV. including poverty, cultural factors, are all going to be factored into increasing
“Why is poverty associat- racism, discrimination, poor education. vulnerability to HIV.
ed with HIV infection among This study confirms that poverty is a
African Americans and even strong determinant of HIV rate and risk, I know the results can’t be
more so, perhaps, among particularly in the inner cities of the U.S. generalized to non-urban poverty
white Americans and Latino areas, but is that something you
Americans?” Mermin asked, Is the implication that wealth may might look into later? Other socio-
rhetorically. “That’s some- protect you from HIV? economic strata?
thing we need to look at.” Not necessarily. In fact, in the very early Absolutely. This is one of the things we’re
days of the epidemic, wealth was a risk committed to looking into at the CDC. We
George E. Curry is a former
factor for HIV because with wealth you have a very good handle on those individual
Washington correspondent
and New York bureau chief were able to travel, you were able to move level determinants I mentioned earlier.
for the Chicago Tribune between cities that had high incidence of We have a less good handle on the social
and was editor-in-chief of HIV, or you may have had resources to determinants of health. So, for example:
Emerge magazine. participate in risky activities, for example, How is poor education attainment driving
purchasing sex. In some societies, wealth the epidemic in the U.S.? How are high rates
may be associated with having multiple of incarceration driving the epidemic in Af-
concurrent partners. You have more money, rican Americans. This [poverty] study is one
so you’re more socially desirable. of a series of studies we’re doing at CDC.
But clearly what this study is saying —Lynya Floyd
specifically in the U.S. context is we can
show that poverty is an equalizer in these Lynya Floyd is the senior editor cover-
inner city areas. If you’re poor and Black, ing Health and Relationships at Essence
magazine.
your rate of HIV is equal to if you’re poor
12 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS Institutepolicy
What Will HIV Look Like
in 2015?
Plans Call for Reduction in New Infections, Decrease in PWAs
Who Don’t Know It, Increase in Speedy Care for Newly Diagnosed
By Lynya Floyd | from Essence.com
What a difference five years educates and supports HIV+
can make. Or can it? Last women and their caregivers. Barbara Lee
week, President Barack In the past, the govern-
Obama unveiled the U.S.’s ment has received significant
first National HIV/AIDS criticism for not putting
Strategy, which plans to sig- forth a plan to combat a dis-
nificantly lessen the impact ease epidemic that infects 1.1
of the epidemic in America million Americans. “But this
by 2015. And they’re not is the first win in a series of
vague about what success challenges we have before us.
would look like when it There’s a real opportunity for
comes to a disease that’s the us to expand and see things
number one killer of Black happen in a way they haven’t
women 25 to 34. before,” she added.
In just five years time,
the strategy plans to: reduce creating
the annual number of new accountability
HIV infections by 25 percent Leadership Commission on istration. “If we are negative
from 56,300 to 42,225. The White House was AIDS (www.nblca.org). “We we can protect ourselves by
Another goal: Decrease clear that this isn’t just a must go into areas where we practicing safe sex. We can
the number of people living federal government initia- find larger segments of Black be the example for our sons,
with HIV who don’t know tive. It’s going to take efforts women such as our sorori- daughters, nieces and neph-
it from 21 percent to 10 from local governments and ties, our civic organizations, ews. We can talk to them so
percent. communities. And, let’s be the National Coalition of 100 they know the things they
A third: Increase the pro- honest, you. What can you Black Women, The Links. can do to stay negative.”
portion of newly-diagnosed personally do to make the They have conferences every
patients linked to clinical five-year-goal a reality? year. It’s up to us to get the Lynya Floyd is the senior
editor covering Health and
care within three months “Demand that your con- information out there. En-
Relationships at Essence
of their diagnosis from 65 gressmenbers hold up this courage people to get tested magazine.
percent to 85 percent. And strategy,” suggests congresss- and be involved on many
that’s not even half of all the woman Barbara Lee (D-CA) levels.”
goals that have been set. who has attended the last “We Black women are
At the 2010 International six international HIV/AIDS often the central figure in
AIDS Conference in Vienna, Conference, including this our families. We can set
several key leaders in the one in Vienna. “Hold them the example by getting
HIV/AIDS community gath- accountable at the ballot tested and knowing our HIV
ered to discuss the national box.” status,” suggests Deborah
strategy. “This is a bit of a “We need to take ad- Parham-Hopson, Ph.D.,
poker game and the feds vantage of opportunities to R.N., associate administra-
have anted up,” noted Dawn educate and inform Black tor for HIV/AIDS in the U.S.
Averitt Bridge, founder of women,” suggests C. Vir- Department of Health and
The Well Project, a not-for- ginia Fields, President and Human Services’ Health Re-
profit corporation which CEO of the National Black sources and Services Admin-
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 13women
Topical Medication Makes
HIV History
Breakthrough Microbicide Research Paves Way for
Female-Controlled HIV Protection
By Linda Villarosa
In a groundbreaking study, few effective interventions S. Abdool Karim, director Dr. Quarraisha Abdool
a gel made using an anti- targeting women of color. of the Centre for the AIDS Karim explains that the
retroviral drug was found Ideally it will stem the tide of Programme of Research in research grew out of frus-
to be effective in reducing a increased infections.” South Africa (CAPRISA), tration at not being able to
woman’s risk of becoming located in Durban. He and offer protection to women
infected with HIV. This is A major coup his wife spoke to a small del- who would come into clinics
the first time in history that egation of Black journalists where she worked in South
this kind of topical medica- The study of 889 unin- who had traveled to Vienna. Africa. “When they asked
tion, known as a microbi- fected Black women aged The two researchers of color us what can we do to protect
cide, has worked, despite 18 to 40 in rural and urban provided this exclusive ac- ourselves, we had nothing to
many earlier trials. The KwaZulu-Natal, South cess to assure that African offer them,” she said. “Absti-
research broke yesterday Africa, found that the gel Americans got the full story nence? They were married or
at the International AIDS containing the HIV drug te- the night before the couple in a stable relationships—no.
Conference in Vienna and nofovir (currently prescribed presented their results to Behavior change? They were
is widely believed to be the in pill form under the trade the full conference. When faithful, but not sure about
biggest news that will come name Viread) cut infections the scientists unveiled their their partners’ faithfulness.
out of the 6-day event. by 39 percent. Among the findings, thousands listened. Condoms? Men don’t want
Though the results will women who used it con- Even the overflow room was to wear condoms, and at the
need to be confirmed and a sistently and correctly, the full, as participants crowded time there was no female
product won’t hit the market results were even better: 54 around screens in the hall, condom.
for at least a few years, this percent effectiveness. Either applauding as Drs. Abdool “So today, although we
news marks a major stride way you look at it, in the Karim spoke. don’t have the microbicide,”
for women around the world, science world these numbers she continued, “the results
particularly in Africa and in signal a major coup. hope for women signal hope for women that
African American com- The researchers also they will have something
munities. It will finally offer noted that genital herpes This kind of break- that is 39 percent more effec-
a female-controlled way for risk dropped by 51 per- through is urgently needed. tive than nothing.”
women to protect themselves cent, which was a surprise. In sub-Saharan Africa,
in the sexual arena, where Actually, said epidemiologist where the epidemic is most a long time
men, too often, call all the Salim S. Abdool Karim, Ph. dramatic and deadly, 22.4 coming
shots. D., who with his wife, Quar- million are living with HIV
“This becomes a self raisha, also an epidemiolo- and every year millions In the United States, the
empowerment resource gist, led the study team, the more become newly infected. disease continues to ravage
for Black women, who are results were a surprise. Seven Women account for almost African Americans. A num-
disproportionately impacted of their previous trials over two-thirds of those living ber of communities have
among all women with many years, he explained, with HIV in the region, and rates of infection as high or
HIV,” says C. Virginia Fields, had failed. young women, often poor higher than in some African
president and CEO of the “When we sat down at and powerless, bear the countries. Black men and
National Black Leadership the table to finally see the re- brunt of the epidemic. South women represent only 13
Commission on AIDS. “This sults, it hit us—this works— Africa, where the study took percent of the population,
would provide a much-need- and we were stunned. In fact, place, has more people living but account for almost 50
ed tool in our arsenal against we didn’t say anything for a with HIV than any country percent of people living with
HIV, given that there are so full minute,” said Dr. Salim in the world. HIV and just about half of
14 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS InstituteQuarraisha and Salim Abdool Karim Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 15
Q&A with
Salim and Quarraisha Abdool Karim
The Black AIDS Institute conducted an change in the face of the epidemic [in the
exclusive interview with the scientists at the U.S.], where women feature much more
International AIDS Conference to discuss than they did about a decade ago.
their exciting new findings and to find out Salim: We all recognize and understand
what the results mean for Black women the importance of women—in particular,
worldwide. young women—bearing the brunt of the
HIV epidemic in Africa. Tenofovir gel
Why is this new gel so significant? potentially adds a new approach to HIV
Salim: Once confirmed and prevention, as the first that can be used and
implemented, tenofovir gel has the controlled by women. It can help empower
potential to alter the course of the HIV women and help them take control of their
epidemic. By our estimates, we could bodies to help protect against their risks of
prevent 1.3 million new HIV infections and HIV infection.
more than 800,000 deaths over the next 20
years in South Africa alone. Who participated in the study?
Salim: All the women are Black.
How long did it take for you to We recruited from two clinics in
create it? predominantly Zulu-speaking communities
Salim: It took eight trials. [When we in rural and urban areas near Durban.
finally saw our results,] there was a bit of Quarraisha: The age range we were
disbelief because we’d been battered by screening was 18 to 40 years. The mean
repeated studies that had just not shown age was 23.2 years old. The majority of the
anything. It’s been a hard road. You have women over 25 were already infected by
to have a certain level of doggedness to stay HIV.
in a field where you take knocks every time
you do a study and it doesn’t work. You Is it safe to use?
begin to question the wisdom of why you’re Salim: Our findings show no substantial
even doing this. safety concerns, although there have been
some reports of minor diarrhea. There is
How effective is the gel? [virtually] no tenofovir resistance and we
Salim: Our study shows a 39 percent found it is safe for Hepatitis-B infected
protection against HIV overall and 50 women. The 51 babies born during the
percent protection from HIV after one study had no congenital abnormalities.
year of tenofovir gel use. In women with
a high adherence, it shows 54 percent What’s next in this process, and
effectiveness. And it also shows a 51 percent how long do you think it will take
reduction in HSV-2, otherwise known as for the gel to come to market?
genital herpes. Salim: Additional studies are urgently
Quarraisha: One in five sexually active needed to confirm and indeed to extend
people globally have HSV-2, and if you have the findings of this study for safety and
HSV-2 you have double the risk of getting effectiveness, so this study is the first step.
HIV. But I would be disappointed if it were not
available to women three years from now.
What do your findings mean for —Tomika Anderson
Black women throughout Africa and
the United States? Tomika Anderson is a freelance writer
Quarraisha: We used a slide [in our based in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has
appeared in Essence, POZ, Real Health and
presentation] that shows the distribution Ebony magazines, among others.
of HIV infection in the U.S. in 1985, and
then in 2006. It shows how heterosexual
transmission has increased from 3 percent
to 31 percent [of infections among Black
American women]. So we’ve seen a big
16 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS Institutenew infections. Sixty-four ton, where the HIV rate is Deserve. “We must continue “In the scientific commu-
percent of all women living highest in America. to recommend condoms for nity, we need to think about
with HIV/AIDS are Black “This is a major break- protection against HIV. what it is going to take for
and the diagnosis rate is 19 through in addressing an “I think this will be most all of us to work together to
times higher than it is for unmet need for women—a useful for married women make this a reality,” he said.
white women. A government female-controlled HIV and who feel that they can’t use a “I would be disappointed
study released in March STD prevention method. condom, but might be suspi- if we were not able to make
found that 50 percent of If this vaginal gel proves cious and want that bit of a microbicide tenofovir gel
Black women have genital to be safe, available and af- protection without demand- available in three years.”
herpes. fordable, we may finally be ing condom use,” Dr. Hutch- In the meantime, in
The vast majority of closer to shifting the power erson added. “However, I Vienna, conference attendees
African American women dynamics that have fueled would personally demand are buzzing with the news,
contract both herpes and the HIV epidemic and, more the condom if I thought my scientists and advocates
HIV during heterosexual importantly, closer to saving husband was cheating.” alike.
sex, most often from men women’s lives.” It’s important to re- “The microbicide trial
they are married to or at Participants in the member that most Black results are fantastic. Women
least seriously involved study were sexually active women in the U.S. with deserve a win,” says Ebony, a
with. This point strikes at and applied the gel both 12 HIV contracted it from men young HIV-positive African
the heart of why a woman- hours before and 12 hours who didn’t know they were American woman living in
controlled form of protection after sexual relations. It is infected with the virus. One Amsterdam and attending
is so important. inserted into the vagina in five Americans aren’t the conference as an activist.
“This lets women take using a plastic applicator. aware of their HIV status, “A microbicide gives women
control of their own sexual Half of the women used and Blacks are believed to be choice and control; however,
health, instead of depending a product that contained less likely to know. A woman the work can’t end there. We
on husbands and boyfriends the drug, while the other who has no idea her partner still need the female con-
to protect them,” says Van- half received a placebo gel is positive wouldn’t have dom and male condoms to
essa Johnson, deputy execu- with no medication added. reason to use the gel. prevent unwanted pregnan-
tive director of the National Sixty of the 444 women who Though the study cies and other STIs and a
Association of People with used the placebo contracted pointed to the gel’s safety, non-antiviral microbicide
AIDS. HIV, compared to 38 of the it’s best to keep expecta- that can meet the needs of
“It also potentially gives 445 women who used the tions in check until more is women living with HIV.”
women living with HIV/ gel containing tenofovir known, urges Gail E. Wyatt,
AIDS a valuable means of became infected. The area Ph.D., a UCLA professor of Linda Villarosa directs the
not transmitting their HIV where the study participants psychiatry and biobehav- journalism program at City
College in New York. She
to others,” continues Ms. come from is considered the ioral sciences and associate has covered the Interna-
Johnson, who contracted “epicenter of South Africa’s director of the UCLA AIDS tional AIDS Conference five
HIV from a former boy- explosive HIV epidemic,” Institute. “If confirmed, the times.
friend and has been living where women engage in microbicide has potential to
with HIV for 20 years. “We infrequent but very high-risk save women’s lives, but the
have high hopes.” Experts sex with migrant men. research needs to be careful-
aren’t sure whether this ly read and understood,” said
product protects against keeping Dr. Wyatt, also author with
either female to male or anal expectations her husband of the book No
transmission of HIV. This in check More Clueless Sex. “The ef-
study didn’t look at either. ficacy of the trial is promis-
It’s a long time com- Despite the promising re- ing, but the study also needs
ing, said Eleanor Hinton sults, experts advise women to be replicated in America
Hoytt, president and CEO of to celebrate, but cautiously. before passing judgment.”
the Black Women’s Health “This is great news, but it is Dr. Abdool Karim says
Imperative. “Since the mid- not 100 percent effective,” he’ll also feel more confident
1990’s when the promise of said Dr. Hilda Hutcher- once the results are repeated.
microbicides was first intro- son, a clinical professor Another project called the
duced, we have watched HIV of obstetrics and gynecol- VOICE study is currently
infection rates skyrocket ogy at Columbia University looking at 5,000 African
among women worldwide,” and author of a number of women, comparing a gel
said Ms. Hinton Hoytt, books, including Pleasure: compound with HIV medi-
whose nonprofit organiza- A Woman’s Guide to Getting cation in pill form. Findings
tion is located in Washing- the Sex You Want, Need and are expected in 2013.
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 17Stigma
Prejudice Remains Obstacle
in Epidemic
Global Health Leaders Say Criminalization Exacerbates HIV
Epidemic Among Black Gay, Bisexual, Other MSM
By Rod McCullom
From pre-conference events Gustave Nana, executive di- A Runaway involved in the violence,”
to the massive human rights rector of the Johannesburg, Epidemic he said, referring to a
march through downtown South Africa-based African now-infamous incident of
Vienna, world leaders, public Men for Sexual Health and “The stigma, discrimina- a 2,000-strong mob sur-
health experts and HIV Rights (ASMSHer). The West tory laws and criminaliza- rounding several gay men
activists honed in with laser- African laws vary in extrem- tion of HIV transmission and stoning them. The police
like precision on a com- ity—just “exposing a person encourage the spread of this were called to the scene and
mon message at The XVIII to HIV, regardless of if the disease,” adds Nana. “Why the officers also struck the
International AIDS Confer- virus is transmitted, is a should someone seeking young men.
ence in Vienna : The ongoing crime in Benin, and Tanza- testing or medical advice Carr sighs. “With Jamai-
persecution and criminal- nian law carries a possible come forward if you could be can MSM infection rates at
ization of gay, bisexual and sentence of life in prison for arrested? There is no incen- 32 or 33 percent, it became
other men who have sex with intentional transmission,” tive.” obvious that you couldn’t do
men—MSM, in public health reports Medical News Today. The fear of “coming out,” effective HIV work in this
shorthand—is undermining While the overall life for pop culture which celebrates context.”
efforts to control the global Black MSM may be better homophobia and churches Although a state spon-
HIV/AIDS pandemic. in North America, there and churchgoers that sored, religious–based
Chief among the obstacles: are drawbacks. The United demonize gay Black men terror campaign has targeted
More than 80 nations have States and Canada lead the compound the problem for African MSM from Algeria
laws that still criminal- world when it comes to pros- Black MSM in America, the to Zimbabwe, there are some
ize same sex behavior. In ecuting people who infect Caribbean and Africa. positive developments to
some of these countries, or expose others to HIV, a “This is the context in report from AIDS 2010.
conviction can even result surprising new study reveals. which you have a runaway, “We now have 14 coun-
in the death penalty, reports Black men have been dispro- dangerous HIV epidemic in tries out of 54 that include
UNAIDS. portionately targeted with Jamaica,” adds Dr. Robert men who have sex with
these prosecutions. A Black, Carr, the co-chair of the men in their national HIV
Pronounced gay, HIV-positive Michigan International Council of strategic plans,” AMSHer’s
Across Africa man was recently charged AIDS Service Organizations Nana said. “It doesn’t mean
Diaspora as a bioterrorist for allegedly (ICASO). “There is a clear the services will be delivered
biting a neighbor’s lip during link between religious con- to those populations, but it is
Further exacerbating the a scuffle, Black AIDS Weekly demnation, criminalization, an acknowledgment. That’s a
problem, according to a re- reported in June. stigma and HIV infections. first step.”
port by Planned Parenthood, “The prosecutions are We see this all the time in “Kenya was the first
“58 countries have laws that arbitrary,” said Nana, in the Caribbean.” African nation to include
criminalize HIV or use an interview after a press MSM in their national HIV
existing laws to prosecute conference organized by Condemnation = strategy,” Nairobi-based
people for transmitting the The Global Forum on MSM Death peer educator Job Akuno
virus. Another 33 countries & HIV. The day before the told Black AIDS Weekly.
are considering similar conference officially opened, Carr adds: “Politicians Akuno is a counselor with
legislation.” the Global Forum held a and church leaders endorse the Nairobi-based SHAP,
The trend is “even more 24-hour event to address the homophobic violence. Police Scaling Up HIV and AIDS
pronounced” across Africa soaring global rates of MSM refuse to protect MSM or Prevention, partially funded
and the Diaspora, said Joel seroconversions. are complicit or directly by PEPFAR, the President’s
18 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS Institutedisparities
Poor Likeliest
to Get HIV
Blacks, Gays Likeliest
to Be Poor
By Ramon Johnson | from About.com
Emergency Plan for AIDS Since the HIV epidemic be- tute at UCLA, poverty rates
Relief. “That was in 2006. gan in 1983, many have been for LGBT adults are as high
But...it seems like we are eager to label the HIV/AIDS or higher than rates for het-
rolling back on some of the epidemic by who’s most af- erosexual adults. The think
gains that we made.” fected, but the fact remains tank found that 24 percent of
“Kenya is starting to look that HIV is a universal lesbians and bisexual women
like one of the countries that problem that has devastating are poor compared to 15 per-
we should look up to,” Nana effects on all communities. cent of gay men, strikingly
adds. “The HIV movement is What’s of particular concern high numbers given the gay
more open to include MSM. are the social-economic wealth misconception.
And there is a strong MSM factors that make some com-
movement in Kenya, too. It munities more vulnerable to Ramon Johnson is a new
is one of the few countries HIV infection than others. media journalist and the gay
lifestyle guide at About.com.
in Africa where a MSM orga- The Centers for Disease He was named GLBT Person
nization was able to place an Control released a poverty of the Year by GayAgenda in
ad in the newspaper for the study at the XVIII Interna- 2008. About.com was se-
International Day Against tional AIDS Conference ti- lected as ‘Best Gay Lifestyle
Blog’ by BestGayBlogs.com.
Homophobia on May 17.” tled “Communities in Crisis:
Akuno says the HIV Is There a Generalized HIV
Prevention and Control Act Epidemic in Impoverished
criminalizes deliberate HIV Urban Areas of the United
transmission. “The sentences States?” that examines the
are up to 10 years. No one impact of poverty on HIV
has been prosecuted, but infection rates. What they
now there is talk to make the found is that in poorer com-
law harsher. If you criminal- munities, incidence rates
ize HIV transmission or only among whites and Hispanics
target MSM, that will further are just as high as among
stigmatize the disease and Blacks living in the same
drive many people into community. Infection rates
not wanting to know their among females and males
results.” also matched.
Job Akuno shrugs. “What This is the first time in
can you do but hope for the the U.S. that HIV is being
best?” looked at through the lens
of poverty. According to the
Rod McCullom, a writer and numbers, poorer people are
television news producer, more likely to be infected
blogs on Black gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender with HIV. Previous studies
news and pop culture at say Blacks are more likely to
rod20.com. be poor. And, according to
the 2009 LGBT Poverty Re-
port by The Williams Insti-
Black AIDS Institute Rights Here, Right Now 2010 19science
Progress Made in
Vaccine Development
Blacks Needed in Clinical Trials but Is Risk in Vaccine Studies
False Positive Test Results?
By Ramon Johnson
Last week, U.S. government and Infectious Diseases at
scientists announced their the National Institutes of
discovery of three antibod- Health. “If we’re ever going
ies in a man’s cells, includ- to get a cure for HIV,” Dr.
ing one that neutralizes Fauci says, “we’re going to
91 percent of HIV strains. have to have a patient whose
At the age of 60, this man, immune function has some
known in scientific circles as degree of integrity.” Donor
Donor 45, became one of the 45’s does.
most important participants
in HIV research. Donor 45 tricking
is Black, gay and has been the body
living with HIV for 20 years. and the test
What makes him special in
the field of HIV is not his But the contributions
gender or race or sexual ori- of Donor 45 and other
entation or age. He has a rare clinical-trial participants
ability to produce antibodies don’t come without risk.
that block HIV from invad- A study presented at the
ing his cells. XVIII International AIDS
As a clinical trial par- Conference by Lindsey R.
ticipant, Donor 45’s identity Baden, M.D., of Brigham
remains a mystery and the and Women’s Hospital and
antibodies that he produces Harvard Medical School
are under wraps. Most HIV- in Boston, found that the
positive people like Donor test results of nearly half
45 are what scientists call Donor 45 of the trial volunteers she
“elite controllers.” These men surveyed yielded false-
and women, also known as positive results. This means
“long-term survivors” or in this group. is unnecessary. Donor 45 that many trial participants
“non-progressors,” naturally Scientists hope to bet- is of particular interest to who subsequently got
maintain viral loads, the ter understand why elite vaccine researchers because, screened for HIV tested
amount of HIV virus present controllers’ bodies produce unlike his fellow elites, his HIV-positive—only to
in their blood, at levels so antibodies that other HIV- viral load remains high discover later that their
low that the virus can’t be infected people’s bodies whereas their viral load is HIV-positive results were
detected. Somehow their do not. Uncovering this typically low. Yet, even with wrong; they were in fact
bodies stop HIV from repli- mystery offers another step a high viral load Donor 45’s HIV-negative. Besides the
cating. They remain healthy toward what researchers call immune system is stable, traumatic emotional impact
with undetectable loads for a “functional cure,” defined a fact which offers a build- an HIV diagnosis can
long periods of time without as a life free from symptoms, ing block to developing an have, this vaccine-induced
taking prescription drugs. where the disease does not HIV vaccine, says Anthony seropositivity/reactivity
About 1 to 4 percent of HIV- progress and prolonged Fauci, M.D., director of the may cause the person who
infected people are said to be antiretroviral treatment National Institute of Allergy receives an HIV-positive
20 Rights Here, Right Now 2010 Black AIDS InstituteYou can also read
