It’s amazing!
According to a new research ( see the NY Times article, HIV Life Expectancy
Is Extended to 24 Years), the life expectancy for those diagnosed with HIV can be extended to 24 years with the proper medications. This is a sharp increase from estimates in the early 90s during which the life expectancy for someone newly diagnosed with HIV was less than seven years. Unfortunately, the annual cost of the medications/treatment has also increased from $18,300 (estimates from 1998) to $25,200.
It’s truly amazing and wonderful that having HIV is not an automatic death sentence (remember Philadelphia?). However, these estimates assume the patient is taking all the medication for HIV treatment. What about those who can’t afford the medication? We are truly amazed at how healthy and vital Magic Johnson looks. He seems healthier and much more full of life than many 30 year olds! However, from the beginning of his diagnosis, he has been fortunate enough to have had the ability to get the best treatments and medications. What about those who can’t afford an average of $18,300 per month for medications? What about those who don’t have health insurance to cover the medications? Then what?
We need to be able to provide EVERYONE with HIV the chance to live an extra 24 years.
Is Extended to 24 Years), the life expectancy for those diagnosed with HIV can be extended to 24 years with the proper medications. This is a sharp increase from estimates in the early 90s during which the life expectancy for someone newly diagnosed with HIV was less than seven years. Unfortunately, the annual cost of the medications/treatment has also increased from $18,300 (estimates from 1998) to $25,200.
It’s truly amazing and wonderful that having HIV is not an automatic death sentence (remember Philadelphia?). However, these estimates assume the patient is taking all the medication for HIV treatment. What about those who can’t afford the medication? We are truly amazed at how healthy and vital Magic Johnson looks. He seems healthier and much more full of life than many 30 year olds! However, from the beginning of his diagnosis, he has been fortunate enough to have had the ability to get the best treatments and medications. What about those who can’t afford an average of $18,300 per month for medications? What about those who don’t have health insurance to cover the medications? Then what?
We need to be able to provide EVERYONE with HIV the chance to live an extra 24 years.
posted by CareTALKGals(tm) at 11/10/2006 11:50:00 PM
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