It is gratifying to read about the 17% reduction in new HIV
infections reported by Dr. Zarocostas. (ref. BMJ 2009;339:b5070).
However, on world AIDS day, it seems appropriate to comment that the
"HIV exceptionalism" of the mid-nineteen eighties is still alive and well.
Despite encouraging changes in US and UK central government HIV advice,
compliance has been virtually non-existent in several US states. The
revised advice has also failed to penetrate many medical and other
organisations in both countries.
The actual "normalisation" needed to abolish late diagnosis,
unnecessary illness, treatment delay, deaths, stigma, fear, and ignorance
remains a distant dream.
Dr. M. F. Brewster (Retired GP). E-mail: forrie@brewsterweb.co.uk
Rapid Response:
Improving HIV/AIDS figures.
It is gratifying to read about the 17% reduction in new HIV infections reported by Dr. Zarocostas. (ref. BMJ 2009;339:b5070).
However, on world AIDS day, it seems appropriate to comment that the "HIV exceptionalism" of the mid-nineteen eighties is still alive and well. Despite encouraging changes in US and UK central government HIV advice, compliance has been virtually non-existent in several US states. The revised advice has also failed to penetrate many medical and other organisations in both countries.
The actual "normalisation" needed to abolish late diagnosis, unnecessary illness, treatment delay, deaths, stigma, fear, and ignorance remains a distant dream.
Dr. M. F. Brewster (Retired GP). E-mail: forrie@brewsterweb.co.uk
Competing interests: None declared
Competing interests: