The Science Behind Prevention IS Care

Is the campaign affiliated only with the CDC? expandedNo. In order to expand the reach of this campaign, partnerships have been developed with key health and HIV/AIDS organizations such as the HIV Medicine Association, and the American Academy of HIV Medicine.

The campaign content is based on the CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) “Incorporating HIV prevention into the Medical Care of Persons Living with HIV", which is the consensus recommendation by theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services Administration

, the National Institutes of Health, and the HIV Medicine Association of the Infectious Diseases Society of America

, and is the foundation for the evidence-based materials developed in the campaign.What products or resources are available through the Prevention IS Care campaign? expanded

Materials such as posters, charts, and screening tools are offered to health care providers to help them incorporate prevention into their routine care of persons living with HIV.

For those living with HIV, materials are also available that describe steps they can take to stay healthy and protect the health of others.

This Web site provides access to downloadable campaign materials as well as relevant HIV/AIDS articles and MMWRs, media coverage, testimonial videos, and links to other resources. In addition, through this Web site, providers can learn about workshops and other opportunities to obtain continuing education credits.

Materials may also be ordered through here

Primary audiences include:

infectious disease specialists,

primary care providers who treat people with HIV,

nurse practitioners and nurses treating people with HIV,

community health centers and public health clinics treating people with HIV,

medical students, and

people living with HIV/AIDS.

Highlights from the MMWR: Incorporating HIV Prevention into the Medical Care of Persons Living with HIV:

Despite major advances in treatment, an estimated 40,000 new cases of HIV infection occur each year in the United States*.

Interviews with people living with HIV in a variety of settings indicate that more than 70% are sexually active after receiving their diagnosis—and many have not notified their partner of their HIV status.

STDs have been increasing in men and women with HIV who are receiving outpatient care, indicating ongoing risky behavior and opportunities for HIV transmission.

Until recently, HIV prevention in this country has largely focused on preventing infection in those who do not have the virus. Since infection rates have remained steady for the past decade, the focus is shifting to prevention of transmission by those living with HIV.

Whenever a patient with HIV visits, health care providers have the opportunity to:

Screen for transmission behaviors. Reverting to risky sexual behavior might be as important in HIV transmission as failure to adopt safer practices after diagnosis.

Identify and treat STDs. STDs have a synergistic effect on HIV infectivity and susceptibility, and their presence indicates risky behavior.

Communicate prevention messages. Patients with HIV can benefit from brief messages on the need for safer sexual behaviors to protect themselves and their partners.

Discuss sexual and drug-use behavior. Patients need accurate information on factors that increase the risk of HIV transmission and promote effective prevention strategies.

Reinforce changes to safer behavior. Brief prevention messages can positively reinforce patient actions to reduce transmission risk.

Refer to specialized services. Direct patients needing additional behavior interventions to social services (i.e., mental health services, substance abuse care, etc.), which are available from the CDC National Prevention Information Network (NPIN)

or 1-800-458-5231.

Facilitate partner notification, counseling, and testing. Health care providers can help prevent patients' sexual or needle-sharing partners from becoming infected with HIV and from infecting others with HIV.

Yes. Research has shown that health care providers do influence their patients’ behaviors. Open communication during office visits between providers and those living with HIV can make a difference in the adoption of HIV prevention behaviors.

Links

AIDSInfo