Local group optimistic about new HIV/AIDS approach

A few days after President Obama announced his administration's new approach to combating HIV/AIDS, a local relief organization is praising the approach as the culmination of substantial effort toward further awareness and care for those suffering the virus. 

"The National HIV/AIDS Strategy marks the culmination of years of hard work by people on the front lines in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Joseph Interrante, CEO of Nashville CARES, a local AIDS outreach organization. "This news brings much hope to all Americans, whether infected or affected by HIV/AIDS. Nashville CARES commends the president and the Office of National AIDS Policy for developing a plan to meet the challenges of the domestic HIV epidemic."

The strategy, which sets as a goal a 25 percent reduction in new HIV/AIDS cases in the United States, aims to decrease new infections — in part by increasing testing — reduce costs related to care for HIV/AIDS, and make access to care easier for those infected.

The HIV/AIDS virus has been a national epidemic for more than three decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there are some 1.1 million people currently living with HIV/AIDS in America; a person is infected anew every 9.5 seconds. 

In Tennessee, there are currently more than 2,200 people on state waiting lists for critical medications. They are, in effect, competing in an arena where there is little overall funding. 

"What's needed is new and increased funding, targeted in ways consistent with the strategy, and not merely a redirection of existing funds," Interrante said. 

The strategy wouldn't be fully implemented until 2014, when the full measure of the new health care reform law kicks in. It focuses on disproportionately affected populations, such as Hispanics and African-Americans, gay men and intravenous drug users.