PREVENTION AND CARE Breaking news
to testing for HIV and other sexually
What does science say?
A few hours before the XVII Interna-
transmitted infections, and on dissem-
This spirit of innovation was most ap-
tional AIDS Conference in Mexico City,
inating accurate information about HIV
parent in one of the Foundation’s most
the U.S. Centers for Disease Control
transmission have developed based
promising new programs: the Innova-
revealed that more than 56,000 people
on epidemiologic evidence. Only by
tive Projects Initiative. In order to de-
are newly infected with HIV each year—
improving HIV prevention can we
vise HIV prevention programs at the
a 40 percent increase over the figure
imagine a future without HIV and AIDS.
vanguard of scientific knowledge, the
CDC used for years. Though this dis-
Adopted in February, the Founda-
Foundation deployed its resources
turbing story made headlines for several
tion’s statement of purpose puts this
and staff ingenuity to improve detec-
weeks in the summer of 2008, it pointed
prevention focus in transparent lan-
tion of acute HIV infection.
to something that has been evident for
guage:
many years in San Francisco: HIV infection rates must be reduced.
At the San Francisco AIDS Foun-
dation, much of our ongoing work evolves from the idea that HIV prevention must meet the epidemic’s current conditions—not those of the last 20, 10, or even three years. Over the last several years, we have worked with community partners, staff, and clients to locate and expand promising prevention interventions. Programs focusing on substance abuse, on access
Evidence tells us as many as half of
all new HIV infections in San Francisco
The San Francisco AIDS Founda-
can be traced to individuals in the acute
tion provides leadership to pre-
infection stage, a period when the virus
vent new HIV infections. Linking
rapidly replicates and an individual is
community experience with sci-
at highest risk of transmitting HIV. With
ence, the Foundation develops
technical guidance on program design,
ground-breaking prevention pro-
evaluation, and budgeting, interdisci-
grams and bold policy initiatives
plinary staff teams used their experience
to promote health and create
with our clients and knowledge of HIV to
sustainable progress against HIV.
craft programs to help detect cases of
Established in 1982, the Founda-
acute infection. These proposals were
tion refuses to accept that HIV
evaluated and two programs—an ex-
transmission is inevitable.
pansion of RNA testing with careful monitoring and follow-up and a peer-topeer training program for transgender individuals—were fully funded with the Foundation’s unrestricted income. Both of the Initiative activities will be launched
For years, whenever I went for an HIV test, it felt rushed and impersonal. I felt like I could not talk about what I had done without being judged somehow. Magnet is different. The first time I went inside, it was to play with the colored magnets on the wall. The space is designed as an adult playground, where you can do what you want, but you have access to services adults need. Of course, Magnet is very San Francisco. You can say whatever, be whatever…and when it came time for the testing conversation, everyone was open to hearing what I had to say without feeling any shame. For an HIV test, I cannot think of anything more important than making someone feel at ease. As a single gay man who wants to have sex from time to time, I appreciate being open about sex. I don’t know how you could leave there and not feel better about being a sexual being.
PHOTO: JENN HEFLIN
in 2009.
Walid Dalal
4
SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION • 2008 Annual Report
SAN FRANCISCO AIDS FOUNDATION • 2008 Annual Report
52