| |  |
Progress Against HIV/AIDS
Since the early years of the epidemic, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has played a central role in the nation's battle against HIV/AIDS. HHS health agencies have helped make major accomplishments in prevention, care and treatment, and research.
- Federal HIV/AIDS funding has increased significantly. Initiatives are underway to address the heavy impact of HIV/AIDS among minority communities.
- Public awareness of the disease is at high levels, and the number of new infections reported annually has fallen from 100,000-150,000 in the late 1980s and early 1990s to about 40,000 today.
- People living with HIV/AIDS receive better care than ever before because of research resulting in effective new drugs and development of a Federally supported system of care.
- The number of AIDS-related deaths per year has dropped from 50,000 in 1995 to fewer than 20,000 in 1999.
- With appropriate education and treatment, perinatal (mother-to-infant) transmission can now be largely prevented, and transfusion-related deaths have declined by 99% since the beginning of the epidemic.
TOP OF PAGE
Ongoing HIV/AIDS Challenges
Much more is to be done in fighting HIV/AIDS. An estimated 650,000-900,000 Americans are believed to be living with HIV infection; 688,000 have been diagnosed with AIDS. Behind these numbers is an array of challenges. At the forefront is the devastating effect this epidemic is having on African American and Hispanic communities. Other challenges include:
- Helping people with HIV to learn their status earlier so they can access care sooner and remain in care.
- Enhancing care within a changing health care delivery system, including managed care.
- Improving data collection and evaluation in order to document accomplishments (outcomes) and use information to improve programs.
- Coordinating services across programs to address multiple needs of clients (besides HIV, issues like substance abuse and housing) and enhance service delivery efficiencies.
- Conducting research on vaccines and continuing to better understand HIV disease, treatment, and prevention methodologies.
- Supporting leadership in confronting stigma, fear, discrimination, and complacency.
For More Information see:
Assessing Programs: Data and Evaluation
Care and Treatment
Confronting Stigma, Fear, Discrimination and Complacency
Funding
Improving Linkages Across Programs
Prevention
Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities
Research
TOP OF PAGE
| | |
|
