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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (July 21, 2000)
Ju ly limili; ivi 21.2000 « J u s t m a t ) 1 mews he gcxxl news has dominated the vention program targeting HIV-positive youths press and the psyches of gay men and adults also will he explored with the aim of across the country. reducing reinfection and maximizing treatment Since 1995 and the availability adherence. of highly active antiretroviral Cascade AIDS Project serves almost 2,000 treatment (HAART), HIV-positive gay men people with HIV. While 68 percent of the orga have been living longer and more productive nization’s clients are gay and bisexual men, 32 lives. New cases of AIDS and deaths attributed percent are heterosexual. People of color make to AIDS have been in decline. up 25 percent of the agency’s clients. But the good news isn’t so gixxl any longer. The Multnomah County Health Depart Since July 1998, the number of diagnosed ment estimates that, although people of color AIDS cases and deaths caused by the disease in make up only 12 percent of Oregon’s popula this country has remained roughly stable rather tion, they represented 18 percent of all AIDS than declining as in previ ous years, according to the ^Multnomah 3 Washington counties joined forces federal Centers for Disease to provide fr Control and Prevention. Pride 2000 la Additionally, the CD C estimates 40,000 people in the United States become HIV-positive each year. One study released by the C D C at the 13th International AIDS C on ference in Durban, South Africa, suggests only one- third of U.S. patients might achieve long-term suppression of HIV through HAART. These treatments, often costing as much as $15,000 annu ally, lead to at least 12 m onths’ suppression of HIV in only about one- third of HAART patients. HA ART involves a Mew information about AIDS indicates prevention combination of three or efforts must be redirected by Jo n a th a n K ipp more anti-H IV drugs, including two of the drugs known as nucleoside analog reverse transcrip cases as of 1998, the most recent data available. tase inhibitors (NARTIs), as well as one or more Oregon, meanwhile, had 4,363 people with protease inhibitors. AIDS— a little more than one-half of 1 percent Although 2 percent to 4 percent of the gen of all U.S. AIDS cases. eral population is considered at risk for con After years of service agencies promoting tracting HIV, the CD C reports infection rates HIV testing, researchers now find young gay and continue to he troublingly high among gay men. bisexual men aren’t getting tested at optimal They are 17 times more likely to he HIV-posi rates. More than one in five never have been tive than heterosexuals. In fact, CDC literature tested for HIV, and more than half haven’t been says gay men still have the greatest risk for HIV tested in the past six months, according to one infection in the United States. C D C report. “While we are pleased that we have been But education about testing does work. Men able to maintain progress and prevent increases who have been exposed to a variety of preven in HIV infection in recent years, we are allow tion strategies— fliers, workshops, advertise ing far too many infections to continue,” Dr. ments—ate more likely to get tested, particular Helen Gayle, director of the National Center ly if they know of a place where they feel com for HIV/STD/TB Prevention at fortable or at ease, one study shows. the CDC, told Just Out. “We One CDC study Historically, prevention efforts have the tools to essentially stop indicates an have been aimed at people with- the U.S. epidemic. W hat we need is the will and the resources ¡n frp n d n n n u m b e r o f out ®ut to^ay* w' ch more to do it." ..... . z and more HIV-positive people Experts say multiple factors MIV~p0SltlVB (JQy IJ1BI1 surviving longer, education efforts must be addressed in working to q ^ q gnQOQiflQ ¡fl have to ^ redirected to include decrease HIV prevalence among ** j* * . HIV-positive individuals, experts gay men. Many gay men think UnpfOtBCtBO 0P01 SBX. say. Bruner says one survey shows HIV is no longer a serious threat; others, particularly older gay men, are experi half of the people receiving HIV services claim encing “prevention burnout” and are not recep to be participating in unsafe sex practices. tive to old and often overused messages. In addi Before, HIV/AIDS agencies adhered to a clear tion, new generations of gay and bisexual men division between services and education: You have come of age during the epidemic and must either had HIV or AIDS and needed services, or agencies were educating people on how to keep he reached by educational efforts. from getting the disease. Agencies no longer can One C D C study indicates an increasing number of HIV-positive gay men are engaging operate like this, he says. “That artificial brick wall is bogus,” Bruner in unprotected anal sex. adds. He says clients receiving services are a Cascade AIDS Project is retargeting its exist ing HIV/AIDS education resources. Resources bridge to people who need more education. Bruner wants to get HIV-positive clients educat that once focused on a “softer model,” executive ed about prevention so the agency can use them director Thomas Bruner says, now will be used on a more targeted prevention model. Special as peer educators for those at highest risk within programs will be targeted at women, people of their communities. HIV-positive clients also need education to encourage safe sexual prac color, injection drug users, and gay and bisexual tices and prevent further spread of the virus. men at highest behavioral risk. A secondary pre- I t ’ s N ot O ver Live M u sic— The e Rebels 7 / 2 1 Walk D ont Walk 7 / 2 8 ^ — S IS I fife; : * ... -T... _ POH7L AM D SPIKiT F r id a y V a r ly ¿^scapes, 3 -5pm E n jo y live e n te r ta in m e n t fro m fresh lo cal h a n d s as you h re a h free a n d c ru ise th e W illa m e tte . Portland tfu s t $13 p e r p e r s o n * D rinks d hors d doeuvres t zs an and are also ds avallarne ro r purcnase. ilahle fc Cali (5 0 3 ) 2 2 4 - 3 9 0 0 or ( 8 0 0 ) 2 2 4 - 3 9 0 1 f o r re s e rv a tio n s . ‘ G u ests m ust he 21 yrs. or older. C o m m itm e n t C e re m o n ies A vailable. G ift c er tific a te s m ake great gifts! 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