World AIDS day, celebrated Dec. 1, promotes awareness of the autoimmune disease. This year there’s good news on preventative care. A recent study by the Cell Host and Microbe journal that tested Tenofovir gel on South African women found that the anti-HIV/AIDS drug reduced Herpes infections by 51 percent and HIV infections by 39 percent. Participants were asked to apply the gel to the vaginal canal before and after sex. The microbe restricts enzymes that the virus needs to replicate. If this drug were to be sold in the United States, it would be the first HIV prevention method controlled by women proven to work. Gilead Sciences Inc., maker of Tenofovir gel, has not stated whether it will sell the gel to the U.S. market.

In the Latino community, cultural factors have great influence over HIV testing and prevention. Families are not open to talk about sex to their children, much less about methods of prevention. There is also a stigma around homosexuality that impedes Latinos from seeking help. Fear of discrimination, immigration status and even language barriers play an important role when deciding whether to be tested for HIV or seek treatment and counseling. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicates that the HIV infection rate among Latinos has increased to almost three times as high as that of Whites. In 2009, Latinos accounted of almost 20 percent of new HIV infections. The CDC predicts that at some point 1 in 36 Latino men will be diagnosed with HIV, as will 1 in 106 Latinas.

In Illinois, HIV/AIDS is an increasing problem. By the end of December 2010, the city of Chicago’s Health Department reported 10,442 people were living with HIV, while 11,122 people were living with AIDS. In addition, there may be more cases among people who have not tested for HIV or AIDS. One of the largest providers of HIV care in Chicago is the Howard Brown Health Center. In 2010, Howard Brown provided anonymous HIV testing for over 6,200 clients at the walk-in clinic, indentifying 112 HIV infections. HIV testing is free and the center offers a sliding scale discount for patients without Medicaid/Medicare or Health Insurance.

When speaking with Dr. Magda Houlberg, chief clinical officer at the Howard Brown Health Center, it was disclosed that there has not been a decrease in infections in the ...