In battle against HIV, keep New York moving forward

Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently announced that New York is on track to end its HIV epidemic by 2020, thanks to a multifaceted approach of prevention and treatment. The progress in combatting HIV in New York — long a geographic focal point of the epidemic — is heartening news. It is a testament to progressive public health policies, committed leadership, and of course, the countless health care providers, public health professionals, and others who have dedicated so much time and effort to defeating this deadly virus.

But we should not make the mistake of allowing this progress to lead to complacency. Though Cuomo is correct to salute New York for this remarkable headway, there is still much lifesaving work to be done, both in New York and elsewhere. The state’s campaign is largely focused on lowering the rate of new infections, but we must not forget about those who are living with the disease — more than 100,000 in New York City alone. We must ensure that all people have equal access to HIV treatment and care.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, HIV has been a tale of inequities. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that gay men, and particularly gay men of color, are much more likely to be infected with HIV than other populations. HIV infections among Latino gay men increased by 30 percent from 2010 to 2016. We have much work to do expand

ing access to pre-exposure prophylaxis so that everyone, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic background has access to it. It is also critical that we continue to destigmatize HIV so that those at high risk of infection have no fear of getting tested or seeking treatment.

The nation’s rag ing opioid epidemic has also led to a resurgence of blood-borne infections such as HIV and hepatitis C. Reports from the CDC show than one in ever y 10 new HIV cases in the United States is the result of an individual injecting drugs using an unsterile needle. Sy ringe exchange programs — which enable drug users to exchange used sy ringes for sterile ones — have long proven to be highly effective at reducing the spread of HIV and HCV without increasing drug use. What ’s more, they are critical gateways to HIV and HCV testing, health care services, and drug treatment. In Charleston, West Virginia, a new case of HCV was reported nearly ever y eight hours after the Charleston-kanawha Health Department closed its public sy ringe exchange program.

Time and again, opportunities to prevail over HIV have been squandered because ideolog y and poor public policies have trampled sound science. Last year the Trump administration unveiled a bold plan to end new HIV transmission in the U.S. by 2030. Sensibly enough, it aims to achieve this by zeroing in on the states and counties most affected by HIV. But

the plan can succeed only if it is supported by appropriate public policies and the necessary investments. What we see instead is a continuing assault on the Affordable Care Act that has led to an increase in the number of Americans without health insurance for the first time in a decade. The administration’s immigration policies ser ve only to deter people from seeking HIV testing or treatment for fear of arrest. These and other policies are completely at odds with an otherwise admirable plan to end the epidemic in America.

Even as infection rates drop, it is essential that we continue to fund the cutting-edge research needed to move closer to more effective therapies — and a cure — for this disease. Modern medical science has shown that this is possible, as demonstrated by the “London patient ” case earlier this year and the “Berlin patient ” 10 years ago. We must focus on investing in research that has the potential to deliver a cure that is affordable and accessible within the foreseeable future.

We have come a long way since the dark early days of the HIV epidemic. Science, thanks in part to the funds raised and directed by organizations like amfar, has made miraculous strides in HIV prevention and treatment. Attitudes and perceptions have shifted, in part, from fear and confusion to determination. To some extent, public health policies, especially in more progressive states like New York, have tackled the epidemic head on with evidence-backed programs and initiatives. New York ’s progress should be celebrated, but the fight is not even close to being finished.

Last year the Trump administration unveiled a bold plan to end new HIV transmission in the U.S. by 2030. But the plan can succeed only if it is supported by appropriate public policies and the necessary investments.