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New Designated AIDS Center director ready to help state end AIDS epidemic

New Designated AIDS Center director ready to help state end AIDS epidemic

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- Elizabeth Reddy, M.D., the new medical director of Upstate Medical University’s Designated AIDS Center, is ready for the challenge.  New York has announced that it wants to put a plan in place to end the AIDS epidemic in the state by 2020, which would mean decreasing the number of new HIV infections in the state to 750 per year from upwards of 3,000.

“I think it’s a lofty goal, but not unreasonable,” said Reddy, a Central New York native who did significant AIDS research in Tanzania as an assistant professor at Duke University, before joining Upstate earlier this year. “New York state has been a national leader in HIV treatment and prevention, with a 40 percent reduction in new cases in the last 10 years, while incidence has remained largely steady throughout the rest of the country.”

To help lower the number of new HIV cases, Reddy says testing for HIV needs to increase. “Once an individual knows his or her HIV status, we can help halt the spread of the disease,” Reddy said.

“Testing really is where the fight against AIDS starts,” Reddy says, “and not enough people are being tested today.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that all adults in the United States be tested at lease once for HIV, but that is not happening. “We need to set aside the stigma and recognize that unless we all get tested, we’ll not end this epidemic,” Reddy said.

But advances in treatment are being made, which Reddy says in large part stems from the ongoing research into the disease. “The research has helped us take a disease that for the most part was a death sentence years ago, to one that can be managed like most chronic illnesses.”

One of the best chances to halt the spread of HIV is found in a little pill, known as Pre-exposure Prophylaxis or PrEP, Reddy said. “The one-a-day pill has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV infection in people who are at high risk by as much as 90 percent,” she said. Another benefit of PrEP,

Reddy said, is that in order to receive a prescription, individuals first need to get tested for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Reddy said more education and outreach on the disease needs to be done, especially as AIDS becomes easier to treat. “There’s a false sense of security that is not helpful to our ongoing efforts,” Reddy said. “We have made great ground in treating the disease, but our goal is no more new cases, and if we’re treating people we’re still seeing new cases. The resurgence of syphilis (there has been a 360 percent increase in the last two years) in Onondaga County should be seen as a sign that we urgently need more education and outreach surrounding HIV and other STDs. Syphilis infection increases the risk of HIV infection 2 to 3 times.”

Upstate’s Designated AIDS Center (DAC) follows about 1,000 patients, and provides a wide range of medical services, including mental health case management services, treatment adherence services, hepatitis C treatment services, limited substance abuse and nutrition services. The DAC also works closely with CNY HIV Care Network, ACR Health and Liberty Resources.

Reddy, who spoke at the Dec. 1 World AIDS Day gathering at the United Memorial Methodist Church in Syracuse, said that state’s goal of eradicating AIDS by 2020 maybe within reach.

“With continued support of centers like the one at Upstate, AIDS research, broader advocacy and a major push on testing, the state’s goal may be drawing near, and our continued efforts can help get us there.”

Caption: Elizabeth Reddy, M.D, is the new medical director of Upstate Medical University’s Designated AIDS Center.

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