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(ARA) - Today, almost three decades into the HIV/AIDS epidemic, there are 1.1 million people currently living with HIV in the United States. While strides have been made in the fight against this disease, there are an estimated 640,000 people with HIV in the U.S. who, for a myriad of reasons, are either undiagnosed, not in medical care or not receiving HIV treatment (based on Bristol-Myers Squibb Market Research Estimate, June 2009). Recently reported survey data show that personal and societal barriers like stigma, fear, denial and shame are significant hurdles preventing those with HIV from seeking out treatment. These findings also reveal that health care providers may underestimate the role these barriers play. Understanding the challenges people living with HIV face may provide the key to reducing disparities and increasing the number of people receiving medical care. Health care professionals who participated in the survey viewed substance abuse issues, patients struggling financially and basic needs more strongly versus people living with HIV or AIDS. On the other hand, those diagnosed with HIV and not under medical care viewed fear of HIV medication side effects as the number one reason why they were not under care or on treatment; denial of needing treatment or care because they did not feel sick and HIV stigma followed. "While structural barriers like transportation, housing or financial concerns are very real, we still need to address the personal and societal issues people living with HIV are facing, like stigma, fear and denial. In the U.S., these barriers all play a role in preventing people from getting tested and under care," said Kandy Ferree, president and CEO of the National AIDS Fund in Washington, D.C. "It's time we view the needs of the whole person, not just treat the disease. It will take the collaborative efforts of the business and community sectors, the entire HIV community, to combat the HIV/AIDS epidemic in this country." The National AIDS Fund and Bristol-Myers Squibb recently announced such a collaboration, an effort that is intended to work toward increasing the number of people in care and reducing disparities in care-goals which are closely aligned with those of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy being developed by the Obama Administration. "In working with Bristol-Myers Squibb, we will aim to break down these barriers by supporting collaborative, community-based efforts to provide the services people living with HIV/AIDS need to effectively access health care," Ms. Ferree said. To learn more about HIV or to find out about HIV services available in your community, please visit your local health department. Courtesy of ARAcontent
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