respond

A very interesting thread you have going.  HIV/AIDS is a disease that does affect certain groups disproportionately - including MSM and the African American population.  Some things that came to mind as I was reading.  First, HIV is a preventable disease - we know how to reduce/prevent transmission.  Whether it is protected sex, reduction in IV drug use, or pregant mothers taking medication to reduce transmission rates to their newborn, there are ways in which we can end the spread of the disease.  However, while these have reduced the number of cases, it is not enough.  PREP is a pill that can be taken everyday to reduce the chances of transmission (http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/prevention/research/prep/).  How do you feel about this new medicine?

In addition, a vaccine would be quite an accomplishment in the public health field for HIV.  However, as we are seeing, just because there is a vaccine, it doesn't mean it can stop a disease.  People have to be willing to take the vaccine.  Do you think there would be any backlash or resistance to the vaccine, should one become available?  How do we combat this?