April Global Health Grand Rounds

Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, MD, the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases at the National Institutes of Health, gave a presentation entitled “HIV/AIDS: A Look to the Future” on April 3, 2013.  Dr. Fauci emphasized two points for combatting, and eventually defeating, HIV/AIDS in the future. 

First, Dr. Fauci said we need to optimize and implement existing therapies for both treatment and prevention of HIV.  Research has shown that with appropriate and timely ART treatment, individuals living with HIV have a nearly normal life expectancy in both the developing and the developed worlds.  That said, currently 6.8 million people globally who are eligible for ART do not have access, and for the 8 million people currently on ART, adherence to treatment is a large obstacle.  Therefore, efforts must be dedicated to the expansion of access to care as well as an increase in the efficacy of treatment through timely treatment initiation and increased patient adherence. 

Second, Dr. Anthony Fauci said research should continue to develop new interventions in treatment (looking for a cure) and prevention (developing a vaccine).   

Although there are currently 34 million people living with HIV, Dr. Fauci remained optimistic.  Focusing in on these two points, he discussed the possibility of an “AIDS free generation” in the future.