Tennessean Publishes Editorial, Opinion Pieces on HIV/AIDS

The Tennessean on Friday published an editorial and three opinion pieces about HIV/AIDS. Summaries appear below.

Editorial

• "Inadequate Data, Tests Hinder Fight Against Deadly Virus": Although sufficient "funding for HIV prevention programs is very important," it is "just as important to make sure adequate data is available before releasing" revised estimates on the number of new annual HIV cases in the U.S., the editorial says. It adds that "finding additional ways to prevent the high incidence of HIV" is even "[m]ore important" (Tennessean, 1/4).
  

Opinion Pieces

• Jacqueline Fleming Hampton, "Reassess Prevention Strategies for African-Americans": HIV prevention is a "primary and cost-effective way to save lives," Fleming Hampton, director of community outreach at the NIH Center for AIDS Health Disparities Research at Meharry Medical College, writes. According to Fleming Hampton, it costs $20,000 annually to treat one HIV-positive person, compared with $10 to administer an HIV test. Fleming Hampton adds that prevention programs targeting blacks "must be restructured to take into account the challenging and complex environments in which many [blacks] live, work, play and worship" (Fleming Hampton, Tennessean, 1/4).
  
  
• Joseph Interrante, "Now Isn't Time To Cut Prevention Funding": The revised estimate on the number of new annual HIV cases in the U.S. is "an indictment of failed federal public health policy," Interrante, CEO of the HIV/AIDS prevention group Nashville CARES, writes, noting that federal funding for HIV prevention has decreased nearly 20% since 2002. Interrante concludes that a "comprehensive national AIDS strategy -- with measurable goals and objectives, adequate funding and accountability mechanisms to measure progress -- is desperately needed" (Interrante, Tennessean, 1/4).
  
  
• Sen. Jim Kyle, "Prevention, Education Are State's Priorities": Tennessee "continues to benefit from a comprehensive approach to HIV treatment and prevention," state Sen. Kyle (D) writes, adding that the Tennessee Department of Health offers HIV counseling, testing and community planning. Kyle adds that although such services are the "hallmarks of an effective HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment program," officials also are "responsible" for accurately recording the number of people living with HIV/AIDS because without such numbers, "there is no funding" (Kyle, Tennessean, 1/4).