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HIV/AIDS needs research funding
By Patrick Pacalo
Time is running out for National Institutes of Health HIV research funding. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, which destroys the human immune system and allows the body to fall to numerous infections. In 2013, the NIH announced it had funding of $100 million for HIV/AIDs research. The money runs out next year.
Where do we go from here? It would seem that $33 million a year for research on a disease that could potentially infect every sexually active human on the planet is insufficient. “Throwing money” at any problem is never such a good idea, but targeted increases in spending would be in order here, I believe.
As for treatments for AIDS, there are quite a few. The drug AZT (azidothymidine zidovudine) has been around since prior to HIV/AIDS becoming an epidemic in the 1970s. And evidence indicates that AIDS was in nature long before it broke out to an epidemic. Surely causes of the breakout need be known as well as treatments for the diseases we face. This would yield preventative measures for another such epidemic down the road.
War on cancer
So, we have had AZT for a long time. Prior to its use in HIV/AIDS treatment, it was developed in the 1970s U.S. government war on cancer. There was a theory that viruses cause some cancer, and this seems to have proved true. AZT, when used and monitored properly, can delay for a long time the onset of HIV/AIDS related cancers in patients.
There are numerous other drugs available today, when used in combination they can extend life to 20 or 30 or more years passed diagnosis. These drugs also help prevent the spread of the infection from one person to another. AIDS is not just a men’s disease, this we have known for a long time.
Not to play disease politics, but our county health department presently offers no treatment for AIDS, only referrals and testing. It does offer medication for other diseases. Referrals and testing are good, but this far into the epidemic we need accessible free treatment to stop its continuing spread.
More spending now
In conclusion, Congress, the state legislature, and the health departments need to enact more spending for HIV now. We need new laws, ordinances and policies at all levels that allow better access to treatment. Employers need to allow time off to get that treatment. Schools need to educate students on the AIDS epidemic, more so than just the mechanics of a health course. This should not be taken as an indication of failure, we just need to take HIV/AIDS diagnosis, treatment, and associated attitudes to the next level and get really down, and really serious about stopping this killer in our community.
Dr. Patrick Pacalo is cofounder of the Pride Center of Greater Youngstown. He is a resident of Boardman.