In the 21st century, HIV/AIDS is the modern pandemic. Various societal and cultural factors including political will and indifference, attitudes towards specific groups, fear, stigma, shame scientific ignorance, etc. have contributed to the epidemic of HIV in the United States (Artifact 9 handout). In accordance to research, other indicators such as poverty, lack of education, unsafe sexual encounters and injection drug use have been linked to the contraction of HIV/AIDS (HIV Surveillance Report). There is a severe lack of education in safe sexual interactions such as the use of condoms. Addressing issues regarding people’s knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors related to condom use can have strong impact on social norms (Condom Distribution as a Structural Level Intervention). Promoting condom usage can have a lasting effect on the reduction of HIV infection when combined with structural-level interventions such as distribution of free condoms (Condom Distribution as a Structural Level Intervention). The prevalence of unsafe/unsanitary needle usage (i.e. injecting drugs) have also been involved in the spread of HIV (HIV Surveillance Report). These behaviors severely increase the risk of HIV among at-risk groups (i.e. youth, drug-abusers). Additionally, lack of or limited access to health care constrain individual’s in attaining optimal treatment.

Condom distribution programs (CDPs) were implemented as preventive measures for HIV/STDs. By increasing the availability, accessibility, and acceptability of condom usage, the CDC thought that it would reduce the risk of the virus (Condom Distribution as a Structural Level Intervention). Over the past decade, the CDC has launched several CDPs. For example, in 2007, the New York City’s Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) distributed free safe sex products (i.e. male condoms, female condoms, and water-based lubricants) to organizations, businesses, and individuals (Condom Distribution as a Structural Level Intervention). The 2012, the CDC began a five-year HIV prevention funding cycle with health departments across the U.S., distributing over 248 million condoms (Condom Distribution as a Structural Level Intervention). In addition, the District of Columbia (DC) Department of Health HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STB, and TB Administration (HAHSTA) promoted the availability and accessibility of condoms, education of correct usage, and the distribution of sex products to partnering organizations and DC residents (Condom Distribution as a Structural Level Intervention).

Antiretroviral therapy or ART is the primary medication currently used to suppress the effects of HIV. It has been known to reduce the viral load (amount of HIV in the body) to low levels enabling the immune system to keep working and prevent illnesses (HIV Treatment as Prevention). A low viral load or an undetectable viral load is the best scenario for those with HIV to stay healthy. It reduces the amount of virus in the body helping to prevent the transmission of HIV to others through sex, syringe sharing, mother to child during pregnancy, birth, and breastfeeding (HIV Treatment as Prevention).

Though we are making steady progress through the efforts of modern medicine and technology, we find that HIV/AIDS is still rampant. Recent data has shown that the highest racial group for persons infected with HIV/AIDS were other racial groups (i.e. American Indian, Asian, Pacific Islander etc.) (25.4%), followed by Hispanics/Latinos (23.8%), whites (22.6%), and blacks/African Americans (22.0%) (HIV Surveillance Report). In terms of transmission, data showed that the highest percentage of persons infected was attributed by male-to-male sexual contact in addition to injection drug use (27.9%), followed by male-to-male sexual contact only (25.0%) (HIV Surveillance Report).

Unlike the past, modern advances have aided in the control of HIV symptoms. However, there are still many things that are unknown to us. The prevention/treatment of this virus is still being advanced/developed because drug resistance and mutation are very plausible cases. Like TB and other diseases, it is only a matter of time, funding, politics, and expertise that stands in between the prevalence of this virus.

Help Received: Artifact 9 handout, Cadet Jones (structure and organization of information), Dictionary/Thesaurus
HIV Surveillance Report – https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/pdf/library/reports/surveillance/cdc-hiv-surveillance-supplemental-report-vol-21-7.pdf
Condom Distribution as a Structural Level Intervention – https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/programresources/guidance/condoms/
HIV Treatment as Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/hiv/risk/art/