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AIDS groups stage White House protest

Obama, Hill Dems criticized over AIDS drug funding

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AIDS activists protest at the White House with empty pill bottles Wednesday. (Blade photo by Michael Key)

About 50 AIDS activists carried signs made with empty pill bottles in front of the White House Wednesday in a protest over what they say is a failure by President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress to allocate emergency funds for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program known as ADAP.

The activists, led by the national AIDS advocacy groups Housing Works and AIDS Healthcare Foundation, said the pill bottles represent the more than 3,200 people in nine states currently on waiting lists to receive life-saving AIDS drugs.

ā€œThese are pill bottles that need to be filled with prescriptions,ā€ said Christine Campbell, Housing Worksā€™ vice president for national advocacy and organizing. Ā ā€œOver 3,000 people are on these waiting lists. These represent lives,ā€ She said.

Campbell and Michael Weinstein, president of AIDS Healthcare Foundation, called on the White House and Congress to immediately approve a supplemental funding allocation of $101 million, which they said was needed to eliminate the waiting lists before the end of the year.

Other groups that participated in the White House protest included ADAP Advocacy Association, Campaign to End AIDS, and Community Access National Network.

Organizers crafted the signs by attaching the pill bottles to poster boards to form words that spelled out the names of nine states with ADAP waiting lists and slogans such as ā€œADAP Saves Livesā€ and ā€œWait Lists = Death.ā€

As tourists and passersby stood on the sidewalk in front of the White House, several of the protesters spoke to a small crowd that gathered to observe the demonstration.

ā€œI am one of those patients that are on these waiting lists,ā€ said Rick Lanza, who traveled from Ohio to participate in the protest. ā€œI have had medication through ADAP since 1997 and this year my medication has been cut off,ā€ he said.

ā€œWithout these medications, Iā€™m going to die, and Iā€™m not ready to,ā€ he said.

In a news conference on Tuesday, three AIDS patients joined Campbell, Weinstein and officials with other AIDS groups in describing their fears of contracting AIDS-related illnesses that could threaten their lives if waiting lists force them off their medications.

ā€œI have no idea where Iā€™m going to get my mediation in November,ā€ said Jacksonville, Fla., resident Jeffrey Voyles, who told of how state officials informed him he would likely be placed on an ADAP waiting list.

ā€œMy [viral load] numbers have been undetectable since Iā€™ve started the medication and right now I have a lot of fear about becoming resistant from the medications that Iā€™ve been on for four years,ā€ he said.

Voyles was referring to warnings by AIDS doctors that interrupting a regimen of anti-retroviral drugs that check the AIDS virus could lead to the virus becoming resistant to the drugs, making them ineffective when someone resumes taking them.

ADAP is part of the federal Ryan White CARE Act program. It operates in partnership with all 50 states, which share in meeting the cost of subsidizing drugs that could cost $10,000 or more for a patient each year. The program is aimed at low-income people who donā€™t have private health insurance or who are not eligible for government health programs like Medicaid.

State and federal health officials say the severe shortage in funding for the program is due to several developments, including the economic recession that has greatly curtailed revenue flowing into states. The number of people in need of the program has also shot up due to the success of the drugs, which are keeping most AIDS patients alive and relatively healthy.

The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, which conducts an annual assessment of state ADAPs, determined earlier this year that $126 million in federal supplemental funds was needed to eliminate the waiting lists. The Obama administration responded by allocating $25 million, a sum most AIDS groups say is inadequate.

With support from the White House, a House of Representatives appropriations panel approved a $50 million increase in the ADAP budget for fiscal year 2011.

But the Obama administration, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) have declined to back a Republican-backed bill in the Senate that calls for immediately transferring $126 million in unspent funds from the multi-billion dollar federal stimulus program to ADAP.

The Senate bill, the Access ADAP Act, was introduced by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and co-sponsored by four other Senate Republicans. No Democrats have signed on to the bill so far.

ā€œThere is a legislative solution thatā€™s on the table today that Congress could act on before they adjourn,ā€ said Weinstein in discussing the Coburn bill.

ā€œThe argument that this is not appropriate ā€” the stimulus money ā€” compared to all the things youā€™ve read about, all the pork thatā€™s been thrown into that, itā€™s really an affront to people living with HIV/AIDS,ā€ he said.

A number of AIDS groups and activists have expressed support for the bill as a one-time emergency measure to address the ADAP waiting lists.

ā€œTo me, shifting unspent stimulus funds over to ADAP seems like a practical solution to a most dire situation,ā€ said Dan Oā€™Neill, an official with D.C.ā€™s Gay/Bi/Trans HIV Prevention Working Group. ā€œOtherwise people will die.ā€

While agreeing that more funds are urgently needed for ADAP, other national AIDS groups have expressed disagreement over AIDS Healthcare Foundationā€™s sharp criticism of the Obama administration and Speaker Pelosi on AIDS issues, saying Obama and Pelosi have each taken action to boost overall AIDS funding and advance AIDS programs.

ā€œIncreased resources for HIV/AIDS care, treatment, prevention and research has been one of the Speakerā€™s highest priorities throughout her entire congressional career,ā€ said Pelosi spokesperson Drew Hammill. ā€œSince becoming speaker, discretionary funding for HIV/AIDS has increased by over $500 million.ā€

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Health

UNAIDS to commemorate Zero Discrimination Dayā€™s 10th anniversary

UN agency urges global action to protect human rights

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A UNAIDS anti-discrimination exhibit at Tocumen International Airport in Panama in 2018. (Washington Blade photo by Michael K. Lavers)

As the world marks the 10th anniversary of Zero Discrimination Day; UNAIDS is sounding the alarm on the increasing threats to human rights, calling for renewed efforts to protect the rights of all individuals as a fundamental step towards ensuring health for everyone.

Established by UNAIDS a decade ago, Zero Discrimination Day aims to promote equality and fairness regardless of gender, age, sexuality, ethnicity or HIV status. The progress achieved over the past years is now in jeopardy, however, due to rising attacks on the rights of women, LGBTQ people and other marginalized communities.

UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima emphasized the critical link between protecting human rights and safeguarding public health. 

“The attacks on rights are a threat to freedom and democracy and are harmful to health,ā€ she said in a press release. ā€œStigma and discrimination obstruct HIV prevention, testing, treatment and care and hold back progress towards ending AIDS by 2030. It is only by protecting everyoneā€™s rights that we can protect everyoneā€™s health.”

Despite challenges, there has been notable progress. 

At the onset of the AIDS pandemic more than 40 years ago, two-thirds of countries criminalized consensual same-sex sexual relations. They are now decriminalized in two-thirds of countries. An additional 38 countries around the world have pledged to end HIV-related stigma and discrimination, contributing to positive changes that include 50 million more girls attending school compared to 2015.

To sustain and enhance these advancements; UNAIDS urges global support for womenā€™s rights movements, LGBTQ rights, racial justice, economic justice, climate justice and peace initiatives. By standing with communities advocating for their rights, the U.N. aims to reinforce the collective effort towards a more inclusive and equitable world.

Zero Discrimination Day is observed on March 1.

Events and activities that will take place around the world throughout the month will serve as reminders of the essential lesson and call to action: Protecting everyoneā€™s health is synonymous with protecting everyoneā€™s rights.

“Through upholding rights for all, we will be able to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and secure a safer, fairer, kinder and happier world ā€” for everyone,” said Byanyima.

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New CDC report finds transgender women at higher risk for HIV

More than 1,600 people in seven cities surveyed

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta (Photo courtesy of the CDC)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a new study report this week that revealed that restricted by employment and housing discrimination and lack of access to needed gender-affirming healthcare for transgender women increasing the risk of contracting HIV. 

Researchers reviewed data from a 2019-2020 survey, theĀ National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Among Transgender Women, which found that the demographics of HIV/AIDS have been disproportionally high, especially among Black and Latina trans women, who had experienced employment and housing discrimination coupled with lack of access to gender-affirming healthcare.

The Jan. 25Ā Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report was based on data studies of more than 1,600 trans women in seven major urban locales. Participants from Atlanta, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Seattle were chosen by referrals from people and community-based organizations who knew or were part of the local population of trans women.

The studyā€™s researchers noted: ā€œEmployment discrimination occurs at the overlapping nexus of poverty, homelessness, incarceration, health insurance, disability, food insecurity and survival sex work. These issues are interconnected.ā€

The study stated that trans womenā€™s inability to access quality healthcare, including gender-affirming treatment or access to PrEP, and can expose them to potential incarceration as many turn to ā€œsurvival sex workā€ and violence, which increases the risk of contracting HIV. 

The studyā€™s authorā€™s pointed out: ā€œWhen economically marginalized transgender women are refused employment, this refusal cyclically contributes to economic hardships. This analysis ā€¦demonstrates the importance of transgender women working and living with dignity and without fear of unfair treatment.ā€

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A Whole New Perspective on Well-Being

The Matherā€™s team recognizes that everyoneā€™s wellness journey is completely unique to their life experiences and influences.

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The Mather is incorporating biophilic designā€”a design approach to facilitate access to nature or things that replicate natural patterns.

Itā€™s easy to spot the distinctive, elegant silhouette of The Mather, a Life Plan Community for those 62+ opening this spring in Tysons, Virginia. What is not apparent to the naked eye is The Matherā€™s unique wellness philosophy, which is literally built into the community.Ā 

The Matherā€™s team recognizes that everyoneā€™s wellness journey is completely unique to their life experiences and influences.

Nature is one of the important factors that contribute to well-being. So The Mather is incorporating biophilic designā€”a design approach to facilitate access to nature or things that replicate natural patterns. This can include interior spaces with sightlines to a garden, choosing natural wood and stone as interior materials, or incorporating fragrant flowers and plants indoors to spark memories and provide tactile opportunities such as gardening.Ā 

Residents of The Mather will be able to select from plentiful amenities, programs, and other offerings to target their personal wellness goals and preferences.

ā€œProviding biophilic design within interior settings connects residents to the natural world,ā€ says Mary Leary, CEO and President of Mather, the organization behind The Mather. ā€œResearch shows that a connection to nature provides positive benefits to mental states and overall well-being. At The Mather, biophilic design is the intersection of buildings and programs with nature in an urban setting.ā€

ā€œThe Mather is attracting a diverse group of older adults,ā€ says Mary. ā€œAs a result, we aim to incorporate wellness practices from around the world, including Wyda movement theory of the Celtic Druids, which helps people achieve harmony with nature and contentment through mindfulness.ā€ This holistic regenerative approach is similar to Qi Gong and yoga, while born in a different part of the world. Mather Institute has a special focus on mindfulness to support older adultsā€™ practice of present moment awareness, which can lead to increased overall well-being, compassion, and joy.

A very different example of a wellness offering at The Mather is the Gharieni Welnamis spa wave bed, which uses computer-controlled vibrational therapy and audio frequencies to train the brain to relax. ā€œThe bed increases mindfulness, concentration, and creativityā€”all of which support our mission of creating Ways to Age Well,SMā€ says Mary.

These and other personalized ways to wellness will ensure that residents of The Mather can choose from seemingly countless ways to focus on their well-being. In other words, the skyā€™s the limit!

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