Teach, Learn & Raise Awareness

I wonder at times whenever I meet a new young patient with HIV infection whether we have grown wiser as we've grown older with this epidemic. Certainly, this year, our 30th year of fighting this disease has taught us new insights to the impact of antiretroviral therapy as not only a tool to treat but to prevent the spread of HIV. These medications can result in >96% decrease in HIV transmission - we suspected as much but now we know for certain based on recent trial results.
But despite this new wisdom, 2.6 million were newly infected last year and in many countries, including our own, only a third of those who need these drugs are on them. I am sobered by these facts but at the same time inspired by the individual struggles of my patients and struck anew about how much more we can do. To teach, to learn, to raise awareness - because the fight is hardly over.

===================================================
H. Nina Kim, MD MSc
Assistant Professor of Medicine & Adj Asst Professor of Global Health
Division of Allergy & Infectious Diseases
University of Washington
Rosehedge/Multifaith Board Member