Fight Against HIV/AIDS In U.S., New York City 'Far From Over,' Editorial Says

Main Category: HIV / AIDS
Also Included In: Sexual Health / STDs;  Men's health
Article Date: 15 Jan 2008 - 8:00 PDT

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Recent reports of an increase in HIV incidence among men who have sex with men in the U.S. and in New York City is "troubling," a New York Times editorial says.

Although a recent report released by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene found that HIV cases among MSM younger than age 30 in New York City have increased since 2003, the "one bright spot" is that new HIV cases among MSM older than age 30 have declined, the editorial says. According to the Times, "[a]wareness of the disease's devastating effects" and "maturity" might "explain the difference" in the number of new HIV cases between younger and older MSM.

When HIV/AIDS was "new and terrifying," the "motto of the day" was "silence equals death," the editorial says, adding that silence "now seems to be winning the day," as young MSM "appear to have persuaded themselves that the infection is no longer such a big deal." Health officials "need to continue to distribute condoms, encourage testing and treat those who are ill," the editorial writes, concluding that leaders of communities "hardest-hit" by HIV/AIDS "need to start speaking out again" because the "fight against AIDS is far from over" (New York Times, 1/14).

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