Around the world today, organizations are announcing a variety of efforts to find a cure for HIV and eliminate the stigma against people living with HIV.
Today Allegheny County and Pittsburgh officials are expected to announce, together with UPMC and Allegheny Health Network, what they call a major initiative to fight HIV/AIDS.
The Foundation for AIDS Research announced on Monday the establishment of the amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research to be based at the University of California, San Francisco. A key part of amfAR’s plan is to invest $100 million toward finding the scientific basis of a cure by the end of 2020.
Nurses are behind a new call to repeal or reform laws that criminalize HIV status. The American Nurses Association and the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care this week announced a new position statement emphasizing that HIV is a treatable medical condition and should not be used against HIV-positive people.
In a joint statement, the organizations said that “more than 30 states in the U.S. have legislation that criminalizes HIV exposure without transmission; a significant number of these laws include exposures that are now known to pose no risk of transmission, such as spitting.” The AIDS care nurses said the laws get in the way of HIV prevention efforts and keep people from getting medical care.
Among local activities promoting HIV prevention is a pep rally promoting preventive medical measures for individuals at risk of contracting HIV, planned for 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater, 5941 Penn Ave., East Liberty. Known as pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, the measure consists of a daily pill, used along with condoms, to prevent HIV infection. The pill contains some of the medicine used by people who are already living with HIV, which keeps the virus under control. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the pill can reduce the risk of sexually acquired HIV by more than 90 percent and in people who inject drugs by more than 70 percent.
The Dec. 10 event is sponsored by the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force and will feature talks from HIV specialists, PrEP providers and community members. There will also be a drag queen cheer squad with Janet Granite and friends, community resource tables, free HIV and STD testing, refreshments and a vogue dance showcase.
The task force in October announced a $1 million investment in its East Liberty facility to accommodate a new model of integrated care for HIV/AIDS clients.
HIV testing
Free HIV and STD testing is available at PATF offices in East Liberty at 5913 Penn Ave. Hours are noon-3:30 p.m. Sunday; 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; and 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Other locations for HIV testing (see websites or call for hours, if not listed):
• Allegheny County Health Department, 3441 Forbes Ave., Oakland; 412-578-8332; www.achd.net. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 12:30-7:30 p.m. Wednesday.
• Adagio Health network: http://www.adagiohealth.org/womens-healthcare/locations/county-allegheny.php.
• Pittsburgh AIDS Center for Treatment, 741 Falk Medical Building, 3601 Fifth Ave., Oakland; 412-647-7228 or 1-877-788-7228.
• Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania, 933 Liberty Ave., Downtown; 412-434-8957 or 1-800-230-7526, www.plannedparenthood.org/western-pennsylvania.
• Positive Health Clinic, 1307 Federal St., North Side; 412-359-3360 or 1-866-433-0348. Hours: 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Jill Daly: jdaly@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1596.
First Published: December 1, 2015, 5:00 a.m.
