A Sign Of Hope On HIV/AIDS

There's a potential milestone in the fight against HIV, with word that for the very first time, a vaccine has been found to provide a small but measurable protective effect against the disease.

The results in the vaccine study are said to be barely significant on statistical grounds, and their real importance may be as a basis for further research on the way the immune system works in connection with HIV.

Participants in Public Agenda's recent study, Impressions Of HIV/AIDS In America: Building Public Support For Workable Solutions To End The Epidemic, voiced a lot of support for putting more resources behind the search for a vaccine.

Jonathan Rochkind, lead author of the report, says that similar to what we have seen in research on other topics – for example, energy – this focus group study also suggests the public puts a lot of faith in science and technology as a solution to many problems, including disease.

But in our focus groups, we also heard more than a few participants voicing skepticism about the search for a vaccine, saying that if a vaccine isn't on the way, it must be because of either lack of funds, or reluctance from drug companies.

Another important point was voiced by most of the experts – scientists, activists, community leaders, directors of public health organizations and state lawmakers – who were interviewed for our study. While nearly all supported ramping up efforts to develop a vaccine, most also cautioned against an "all eggs in one basket" single-minded emphasis on the race for a vaccine and advocated for a focus on the groups which have been found to be most at risk.

The consensus among the experts was that the greatest impact right now in the war against HIV/AIDS would be found by delivering more access to health care, more information about the spread of disease and more testing for HIV/AIDS in those high-risk communities, all adding up to a better score on prevention.

Click here to take a look at our report.