Posted on 08/18/2006 8:46:36 AM PDT by presidio9
The gay community in the western world, mauled by the first wave of the AIDS pandemic, now faces a second storm, according to a forecast released at the International AIDS conference.
Since 2001, new cases of HIV in the homosexual population in the United States, Europe, Canada and Australasia have been rising by about 1.9 percent per year, the research by the University of Pittsburgh said.
Without action to correct this trend -- a return to safe sex or an unexpected medical breakthrough -- the infection rate is set to soar as the population ages.
In 2001, HIV affected on average roughly one in 12 gay 20-year-olds in these countries. By the time they are 30, researchers projected, the rate could rise to one in four. And by the time this group reaches 60, 58 percent could be infected.
Ensuing generations are also at threat, said the study, which was a review of papers in published journals.
"Ongoing incidence rates at this level will yield very high HIV prevalence rates within each generation of gay men," University of Pittsburgh researcher Ron Stall said.
Stall was especially alarmed by the explosion in HIV infections among African-American gays.
In this group, the rate of new infections today is four percent among those between 15 and 22 years of age -- but 15 percent among those aged 23-29.
Assuming an average rate of increase of four percent of new infections per year, three-quarters of individuals in the 23-29 group will be HIV-positive when they reach the age of 50.
"It's not a new story, it has been repeated time and again in the literature in the past... an almost unbelievable incidence rate," Stall said.
"African-American men who have sex with men suffer among the highest HIV prevalence rates of any risk group in the world."
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC) also warned of a daunting rise in the rate of gays contracting HIV in 35 US states.
Ronald Valdiserri, deputy director of the CDC's National Center for HIV, said the surge in infections among gay men could partly be explained by the growing use of methamphetamines, a drug that enhances sexual appetites and can drive users into risky sex.
He also pointed to what he called "AIDS burnout" -- complacency about the risks from AIDS in the era of antiretroviral drugs, which keep HIV to a manageable level but are not a cure and carry major side-effects.
"We have a new generation of gay men who didn't go through the early years, who didn't see neighbourhoods dying," said Valdiserri.
"HIV is still an incurable disease. In the United States five percent (of the budget for HIV) is spent on prevention," he added.
"America is more interested on treating this disease than preventing it. We can't treat our way out of this epidemic, even as a rich country."
Neither does motorcycle racing or skydiving but the results of a fatal mistake show up just fine.
Perhaps Darwin will be proven at least partially right on this one.
But, but, but!! Don't we know that everyone is equally susceptible to this disorder? (Just a tinge of sarcasm)
Is there any reason to doubt, based on experience, that actions have consequences?
If we can practically outlaw smoking to prevent lung cancer, how about the "gay" lifestyle.
It doesn't need to be against the law. But, if you opt for a risky lifestyle, pay your own way why don't you???
if we look at it scientifically, what are the common elements of the high risk behaviors?
answer: a compulsion for some form of immediate gratification behavior. (note did not say sex because this can include drug addicts)
So then the question becomes what is the difference between those who a compulsed for destructive gratification behaviors and those who achieve gratification in non-destructive behaviors?
So are some cancers and obesity, just to name a two...
And millions on drugs to make anal intercourse safer.
Let's save some money...here's the cure ---DON'T STICK YOUR D*** IN YOUR BEST FRIEND'S A**!!
You mean people who are addicted to self-destructive behavior have a good chance of dying from it? I'm shocked, shocked!
I suspect this article is just part of a new effort to increase aids money.
Look at bill clinton prancing around for aid prevention and praising GWBush for spending money (while condeming him the day before)
Perhaps the homoadvocates fear a decrease in money access due to recent marriage amendment passages.
EX- President Clinton spoke about this just the other day and gave the solution. That solution was to circumsize the homosexuals. I believe he is right a Circumcision of about 4 inches off the end of the penis would probably slow down Aids. Until then just keep packing that Fudge boys.
HA list for sure (if you're around).
One additional problem (didn't see it in a quick read of the article) is that often you and I pay for their medical bills. This is not right, to put it mildly.
"America is more interested on treating this disease than preventing it. We can't treat our way out of this epidemic, even as a rich country."
????
AIDS is the most preventable disease in the world. For instance, I have a ZERO percent chance of contracting it.
I think we're probably of like minds on Bug Chasers. Just one step down the road in the left's glorification of suicide and death. It's so 'poetic' don't you know?
Keep on keepin' on.
It's not just insurance, buddy, it's taxes. A lot of AIDS patients are indigent and OUR tax money pays their bills.
Yeah! Didn't know they could reproduce with each other, guess its up to heterosexuals to re-populate their minions........
actually a lot of aids patients STURCTURE their indigency to pass their assets to friends and family.
Since they KNOW they are going to die, those with assets can pre plan. Often it is not devastatingly large amounts. A car, a house/condo some, retirement monies.
On occasion they go through the bankrupcy courts on hardship discharges for otherwise non-dischargable debt (no the new laws did not change that).
The heaviest part is the fact that it is a 100% preventable death and you see it in their eyes.
Amen. This lifestyle isn't a really good way to win God's favor. However, you can bet the sin will catch His eye. You are either with Him or against Him and against God is not a good place to be. Amen.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.