Note: please note that this issue overview should (a) contain links to additional information on this topic that is focused either the local, state, national, or global level, and (b) be neutrally presented, based on facts, and include footnotes for each of the items.  See the Research Guide and Information Sources to assist you. 

Goal Statement   one sentence that further defines the topic 

•   HIV/AIDS is a deadly disease that in the last 30 years has spread to all corners of the globe, claiming the lives of millions and destroying countless more.

Policy Options / Model Programs   specific policies or program models, grouped by type, that are profiled 

• Although there is no cure or vaccine for HIV/AIDS, treatment has come a long way since the early 1980's, and now includes a large number of drugs that can slow the effects of HIV and postpone the onset of AIDS

  • A full list of FDA approved HIV/AIDS drugs can be found here: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/byAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/HIVandAIDSActivites/ucm118915.htm [1]

• Condoms provide protection against HIV/AIDS infection and, along with greater emphasis being placed on education and safe sex, the number of new infections in the United States has leveled off [2]

Local/State/National Information    additional information on this topic at the local, state, national, global level

          HIV/AIDS Statistics according to the CDC:

• An estimated 1.1 million people are living with HIV in America: fully one fifth are likely unaware of their condition.  
• An estimated 56,300 Americans became infected in 2006: 45% African American, 35% White and 17% Hispanic
• Male-to-male sexual contact accounted for 53% of new exposures, with heterosexual contact and injection drug use causing a combined 43%
• An estimated 468,578 Americans were living with AIDS as of the end of 2007, and increase of 20,000 from 2006
• Over 75% of people over the age of 13 living with AIDS are men
• 3,792 children are estimated to be living with AIDS as of the end of 2007
• Since 2000 an average of 37,000 new cases of AIDS were diagnosed each each year
• 1,051,875 Americans are estimated to have been diagnosed with AIDS
  • 583,298 Americans with AIDS are thought to have died because of the disease
  • 2/3 of those diagnosed with AIDS did not live to be 45  [2]

Glossary of Terms   key words or phrases that the layperson needs to know to understand this issue 

• HIV: Human Immunodeficiency Virus is a retrovirus that attacks the bodies immune system by invading white blood T cells and converting them into little more than replication centers for HIV virus. 

• AIDS: Aquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome is the later stages of the HIV virus, characterized by a CD4 count below 200ml and opportunistic infections. [3]

   

Bibliography    

• [1] FDA "Antiretroviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV infection" http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/byAudience/ForPatientAdvocates/HIVandAIDSActivities/ucm118915.htm (Accessed January 5, 2010)

• [2] "HIV/AIDS Statistics USA." http://www.avert.org.uk/usa-statistics.htm  (Accessed January 5, 2010)

• [3] 'Noon, Kyriell "HIV/AIDS Definition." http://www.stopaids.org/resources/std_info/definitions.html (Accessed January 5, 2010) 

•  

• Additional resources of interest:

  • Centers for Disease Control webpages on HIV/AIDS