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One of the most exciting developments in the fight against HIV is a recent study that hasn’t received much media attention, even though this type of preventative treatment could dramatically reduce HIV infections. Some doctors don’t even know about it.
Fausto Fernós is the host of iTunes’ #1 LGBT talk show, the Feast of Fun podcast, which he produces and hosts with his partner, Marc Felion.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Fausto Fernós created the Feast of Fools in 1998 as wacky artists variety show in Chicago, Illinois. Feast of Fun grew out of an audio blog to promote the live show into the world’s most downloaded talk show aimed for gay people.
When he’s not blogging, recording or sleeping, Fausto can be found at the gym or appreciating the beauty found in nature.
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Comments
Thanks for putting this up boys! But I need to correct one thing – you say up front that this study hasn’t gotten much media exposure…. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? It got front page headlines around the world, and continues to garner coverage due to the controversial nature o the topic….
Maybe we should have said- enough coverage or interest from the general public. I think it’s hard for some people to wrap their head around it.
Re: media exposure– I respectfully disagree. I don’t think this story has gotten the media attention it deserves. In talking to people about it, most didn’t even know the study existed or thought there was any merit to the results of the study. We spend a lot of time covering LGBT health, HIV and STDs (as you do) and I felt that it was overlooked by a lot of places, and I’m not sure why.
We’re talking about a possible treatment that would virtually eliminate all future HIV infections, and it may have been making headlines for a bit, but this is the story of the year. Was it ever on the cover of any LGBT publication?
So why are we not shouting about this from the rooftops? Are we so traumatized by our broken health care system that we fear this is just more smoke and mirrors? Does taking a medication because you’re a sexually active gay man stigmatize you in any way? Are we just so sick and tired about talking about HIV, that we secretly wish it would just go away if we simply ignore it?
I felt this forum raised a lot of hard questions, which is a good thing.
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.130948233652174.34780.121466737933657&l=dcb08b8bdf
Here are some pics from that night:
Media attention does not = provider and community uptake, clearly. Change is troubling for people – and moving away from 30 years of “wear a condom every time” is challenging for many of us. TIME Magazine did call it the Top Medical Breakthrough of 2010 – but it takes time for results like this to translate into policies and programs….
Here’s that article from TIME, btw
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034529_2034513,00.html
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2035319_2034529_2034513,00.html
Here’s a link to that TIME story, so you don’t think I am just blowing smoke 🙂
I was the PrEP user who was supposed to be at this forum. Unfortunately, my flight was cancelled with no option that would get me to Chicago in time for the meeting.
That said, here’s a link to my story, which gives a good idea of what I would have said:
http://lifelube.blogspot.com/2011/05/i-havent-given-up-ive-taken-charge-one.html?zx=3d00125782e209b4
Sorry we missed meeting you Nick!
I really enjoyed and appreciated this show. My organisation in London is considering doing something similar to highlight 30 years of the HIV epidemic and discuss what the future holds.
This article by NAM Aidsmap http://www.aidsmap.com/page/1796327/ mentions the trials discussed but I think its a different trial, too? Or is it one of the ones discussed in the show?