HEALTH CARE
“Positive Charge”
New Initiative to Help Address Barriers and
Provide Support to People Living with HIV/AIDS
T
he National AIDS Fund (NAF) and
Bristol-Myers Squibb Company an-
“Although we have come a long way in the fight
nounced their intention to launch
“Positive Charge,” a new multiyear against HIV and AIDS, there are more than a million
initiative aimed at helping to break
down the barriers that prevent people
Americans who are currently living with HIV and an
living with HIV from receiving HIV
care, treatment and necessary sup-
port. The initiative was launched in
estimated 640,000* people with HIV who, for a
January 2010.
“Although we have come a long myriad of reasons, are either undiagnosed, not in
way in the fight against HIV and
AIDS, there are more than a million
medical care or not receiving HIV treatment...”
Americans who are currently living
with HIV and an estimated 640,000*
people with HIV who, for a myriad of mate the role that personal and soci- barriers such as the health care system
reasons, are either undiagnosed, not etal barriers play in preventing people capacity, lack of transportation and
in medical care or not receiving HIV from seeking care or treatment. For housing. In other words, we need to
treatment,” said Kandy Ferree, presi- instance, respondents were asked view the needs of the whole person,
dent and CEO of The National AIDS the reasons why people living with not just treat the disease,” said Ms.
Fund in Washington, D.C. “This is a HIV were not receiving HIV care or Ferree. “World AIDS Day is an op-
unique example of how the business treatment. Health care professionals, portunity for us all to remember that
and community sectors can work side including physicians, nurse practitio- there are a lot of people with HIV/
by side to better understand and tack- ners, physician assistants, case man- AIDS right here in the U.S. who can’t
le this important issue.” agers, peer educators/counselors and access medical care and we believe
Bristol-Myers Squibb commis- mental health professionals/social both the business and community
sioned a national survey over the past workers, who participated in the sur- sectors must work together to address
year to better understand the barriers vey viewed substance abuse issues, these issues head on and ensure all
to HIV testing, care and treatment. patients struggling financially and ba- people living with HIV/AIDS get the
The survey concluded that there are sic needs more strongly versus people care they need.”
significant personal, societal and living with HIV or AIDS. On the other “We know this work is complex,
structural barriers that prevent peo- hand, those diagnosed with HIV and but we are committed to success. This
ple from taking action. “It’s sad, but not under medical care viewed fear collaboration with the National AIDS
true that in 2009, stigma still plays a of HIV medication side effects as the Fund is intended to further our com-
huge role in preventing people from number one reason why they were mitment to the fight against HIV/
getting tested and into care,” said Ms. not under care or on treatment; denial AIDS,” said Jill DeSimone, senior
Ferree. “We are proud to work in col- of needing treatment or care because vice president, U.S. Virology, Bristol-
laboration with Bristol-Myers Squibb they did not feel sick and HIV stigma Myers Squibb. “Over the last 20 years,
to help break down these barriers by followed. These findings will be dis- Bristol-Myers Squibb has been on the
creating a targeted initiative that sup- cussed with health care providers forefront of innovation and this col-
ports collaborative and highly coor- and the professional community to laboration is another example of how
dinated, community-based efforts to encourage better alignment and com- we as an organization are committed
reduce barriers and provide the sup- munication with people living with to making a difference in the lives of
portive services people living with HIV. people living with or at risk for HIV/
HIV/AIDS need to effectively access “These findings illustrate the con- AIDS.”
health care.” tinued need to address the key per- To learn more about National Sur-
The survey also revealed that some sonal and societal barriers like stigma, vey, please visit www.bms.com.
health care providers may underesti- fear and denial, as well as structural
42 HISPANIC NETWORK MAGAZINE Celebrating 18 Years of Diversity www.hnmagazine.com
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