One of the biggest problems today, with being an HIV positive person is not the actual virus, but the stigma that surrounds it. People in some population groups avoid getting tested because they are afraid of being exposed, stigmatized and pointed fingers at. Stigma is also one of the drivers for mental health issues like depression and anxiety.
Dr. Alison Rodger believes that destigmatizing HIV is one of the most important issues that need to be tackled by scientists and people all over the world because stigma and discrimination are really the reason why we’re seeing so late diagnosis.
On today’s episode, we’re discussing the studies that Alison was involved in, what the results of those studies mean for the people with HIV, and what are the next steps that should be taken, for reducing the percentage of undiagnosed individuals.
Dr. Alison Rodger is a professor of Infectious Diseases at the University College of London and a consultant in Infectious Diseases and HIV at the Royal Free Hospital in London. Her research interests include reducing rates of a new HIV infection, HIV self-testing, assessing the cost-effectiveness of HIV prevention and improving the long term health of people with HIV. She was the lead author of the Partner HIV Transmission studies that revealed with conclusive evidence that people with HIV on treatment and with an undetectable viral load cannot, under no condition, transmit the virus. Her findings are widely considered as one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 21st century.
So, don’t miss out, Episode 02 of Positively Alive!
Questions I ask:
In this episode, you will learn:
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