HIV and AIDS Public Health Problem in the USA
In the context of present-day developments, the problem of HIV and AIDS epidemic control appears to be an extremely hot button in the United States. The modern healthcare system has been implemented multiple changes and improvements in order to contribute to the solution of this pressing concern. However, it is essential to take further steps in this regard. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to present strategies in the future on the basis of articles, which allow to receive an in-depth insight into the problem.
First of all, the positive impact of antiretroviral therapy (ART) should be noted. According to Saag et al. (2018), “ART is recommended for virtually all HIV-infected individuals, as soon as possible after HIV diagnosis” (para. 3). This approach is considered to improve clinical management in the context of treating patients with HIV (Saag et al., 2018). Therefore, it should be developed in the future in order to address this pressing concern.
This problem has been considered on the governmental level, and National HIV/AIDS Strategy has been advanced. Bonacci & Holtgrave (2016) analyzed the results of this program for the 2010-2015 years and concluded that the progress is insufficient. Zang et al. (2020) counted that the objective of the National Strategy may be achieved only in 2040, and only in case of following it ideally. Consequently, there is the necessity to implement new policies, intervention strategies, and strategies, which may benefit the situation. Shah et al. (2016) state: “achievement of NHAS progress indicators for screening, linkage, and particularly improving retention in care, can substantially reduce the burden of HIV in the USA” (para.4). However, it is vital to receive additional funding so that the program will be as beneficial as it has been planned (Shah et al., 2016). Other researchers, Valdiserri et al. (2018), highlight the necessity to adhere to a system science approach to achieve better results in the context of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Thus, in order to improve the situation, it is vital to develop ART, supply the current program with additional funding, and implement a system science approach.
References
Bonacci, R.A. & Holtgrave, D.R. (2016). Evaluating the Impact of the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy, 2010–2015. AIDS Behavior, 20, 1383–1389.
Saag, M. S., Benson, C. A., & Gandhi R.T. (2018). Antiretroviral drugs for treatment and prevention of HIV infection in adults: 2018 recommendations of the International Antiviral Society–USA panel. JAMA, 320(4), 379–396. doi:10.1001/jama.2018.8431
Shah, M., Perry, A., Risher, K., Kapoor, S., Grey, J., Sharma, A., Rosenberg, E. S., Rio, C. D., Sullivan, P., & Dowdy, D. W. (2016). Effect of the US National HIV/AIDS Strategy targets for improved HIV care engagement: a modelling study. The Lancet HIV, 3(3), e140-e146.
Valdiserri R.O., Maulsby C.H., & Holtgrave D.R. (2018). Structural factors and the national HIV/AIDS. Strategy of the USA. Social Aspects of HIV, 4.
Zang, X., Krebs, E., Mah, C., Min, J. E., Marshall, B. D. L., Feaster, D. J., Schackman, B. R., Metsch, L. R., Strathdee, S. A., Behrends, C. N., & Nosyk, B. (2020). Can the ‘Ending the HIV Epidemic’ initiative transition the USA towards HIV/AIDS epidemic control?. AIDS(15), 2325-2328. doi: 10.1097/QAD.0000000000002668