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opinion: progress made to end hiv/aids 'nothing short of remarkable'

as we continue down a more hopeful road toward an eventual cure for hiv/aids, we must commit to not letting our foot off the gas.

by lisa barr, executive director, hope and help center of central florida, inc.
published may 23, 2024
read time 5 minute read
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read time 5 minute read
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the red ribbon is the international symbol for aids awareness. getty images
with each passing year, those who are engaged in the fight to end hiv and aids commemorate another progressive step toward their end goal. however, the fight that continues year to year is also a stark reminder that a cure has yet to be found and that challenges persist. momentum propels the cause forward in the form of innovative treatments, solidarity among advocates, and a steadfast determination to end hiv and aids. we stand at the dawn of a new era, where better treatments and outreach are making notable differences in the lives of those living with hiv/aids.
over the last few decades, a diagnosis of hiv has evolved from a death sentence to a manageable chronic condition, thanks in no small part to the advocates, medical personnel, and pharmaceutical companies who have worked together to find the best treatments available.
by reflecting on how far we have come and looking forward to what is coming in the future, we can start to see how hard work and determination is getting us closer to our ultimate goal — a world free from hiv/aids.

the early years of hiv/aids

in the early days of the epidemic, the medical community was still trying to unravel the enigma that was hiv/aids. treatments were limited and primarily focused on managing symptoms, not slowing progression or eliminating detectability. the emergence of azt, an antiretroviral drug, was a game-changer. azt was the first drug to be approved by the fda to treat aids, and although initial iterations of the treatment could lead to severe side effects, it was a sign of better days to come in the fight against hiv/aids.

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in the mid-1990s, protease inhibitors were introduced, revolutionizing hiv/aids treatment. these treatments were typically used in combination with antiretroviral drugs, creating a cocktail that kept people with hiv/aids living longer. however, side effects such as vomiting, diarrhea, insomnia, elevated liver enzymes, and bone marrow suppression were still major concerns of those taking the drugs.
early treatments for hiv/aids also leaned heavily on prevention and supportive care. the promotion of safe sex practices and needle exchange programs became more widespread, slowing the spread of hiv/aids, especially in major metropolitan areas. studies show that the impact of the promotion of condom use alone averted 117 million hiv infections. the more that was learned about how hiv was spread, the better prevention initiatives became.

improvements and advancements

over the years, medical research and technological advancements have led to more effective treatments with less severe side effects. using a combination of the most effective antiretroviral treatments consisting of different medications that target the virus at different stages, great strides have been made in detectability and quality of life for people with hiv/aids.
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antiretroviral therapy (art) continues to be the cornerstone of hiv/aids treatment. through a combination of antiretroviral drugs, replication of the hiv virus can be successfully suppressed, lessening the viral load and improving the immune system. this leads to less detectability of the virus and less chance of passing the virus on to others. activists have coined the phrase “u=u” meaning undetectable equals untransmittable or treatment as prevention to hail these advances. art can be achieved through a cocktail of different drugs or single-tablet regimens.
regular monitoring and adherence to a treatment plan are crucial when treating hiv/aids. patients should have their viral load and cd4 cell count assessed regularly to monitor the trajectory of their individual cases. once a treatment plan is agreed upon, adherence to the plan is crucial. missing doses of one’s medication can lead to overall treatment failure.
although not as widely known, two medications are game changers in preventing new hiv infections. the key is to prevent new infections (think birth control but for hiv). pre-exposure prophylaxis (prep) is a medication that, when taken as prescribed by people without hiv, has been shown to help prevent contracting hiv when exposed to the virus through sexual contact or injection use by up to 99 per cent.
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even less known is post-exposure prophylaxis (pep), an emergency medicine that must be started within 72 hours of possible exposure to the hiv virus. pep is critical for sexual assault victims, occupational exposures, and condom breaks.
treatment can also include avoiding opportunistic infections that people with hiv/aids are more at risk of contracting due to their weakened immune systems. quick treatment of any infections that may occur can go a long way in improving the quality of life and lengthening the lifespan of someone with hiv.
it’s vital that people with hiv/aids create trusting relationships with their medical team and find a supportive community to help them as they navigate hiv/aids treatment. education and support for lifestyle changes that can help people with hiv/aids live longer, healthier lives should be a part of any comprehensive treatment plan. one must not neglect the psychosocial aspects of treatment as well.
programs such as mental health services, support groups, social service support, and advocacy groups can help bolster spirits, guide people living with hiv/aids towards services that can help them thrive day to day, and shine a spotlight on the need for community support.
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the road to a future free from hiv/aids has not been smooth or without significant hurdles. however, the progress made since the early days following the discovery of the aids virus has been nothing short of remarkable. people living with hiv/aids are living longer and enjoying a better quality of life.
as we continue down a more hopeful road toward an eventual cure, we must commit to not letting our foot off the gas. hiv/aids still affects millions of people, and only through a shared commitment toward access to treatment, mental health support, and a focus on justice and equality can we bank on a future free from the disease.
lisa barr is the executive director at hope and help center of central florida, inc. d/b/a hope & help. she has the privilege of leading an incredible team of talented, compassionate, and dedicated nonprofit healthcare professionals who make a difference every day. for over nine years, she has been overseeing the strategic planning, implementation, risk management, and organizational development of this vital community resource that provides hiv/std prevention, education, testing, and treatment services. with an mba from the johns hopkins university and a background in business development, marketing, and grant writing, barr brings a combination of analytical skills, strategic thinking, and creative problem-solving to her role. she is passionate about enhancing the quality of life and health outcomes of hope & help’s clients, partners, and staff, as well as expanding the organization’s reach and impact in the region. her mission is to foster a culture of excellence, innovation, and collaboration that enables hope & help to fulfill its vision of a world without hiv/aids.
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