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VOLBERDING & CONANT AMONG THE FIRST PHYSICIANS TO TREAT AND DIAGNOSE KAPOSI'S SARCOMA.
Paul Volberding and Marcus Conant from the
University of California San Francisco were among
the first physicians in America to diagnose and
treat patients with Kaposi's Sarcoma. Kaposi's Sarcoma is a type of cancer commonly found in HIV and AIDS patients, which causes lesions to grow on and in the skin, lymph nodes, and internal organs. During this time, this type of cancer, alongside pneumocystis pneumonia, formulated an outbreak within the LGBTQ+ community, and many doctors were unprepared. -
THE CDC COINS THE TERM AIDS AND REQUESTS FUNDING FOR RESEARCH FROM CONGRESS.
In 1982, the CDC coined the unknown virus plaguing the LGBTQ+ community as the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome otherwise known as AIDS. -
MEDIA OUTLETS BARELY REPORT THE AIDS CRISIS DURING ITS EARLY YEARS
During the early years of the AIDS epidemic in the U.S., many individulas believed that this crisis was the "gay plague" and even scientists coined the epidemic as GRID, the gay-related immune
deficiency. In 1982, NBC reporter Robert Bazell mentioned the aids crisis and that the cause was unknown. Later that year, Anchor Tom Brokaw commented that the life choices of some members of the LGTB community triggered the spread of a rare form of cancer. This statement increased the stigmatization. -
THE NEW YORK TIMES IN '83
At the tail end of 1983, more than 3,000 cases of AIDS have been
reported in America. During this time, AIDS did not attract much attention from the media or the public and the New York Times only released six articles over the course of two years. It was not until Dr.
Anthony Fauci, director of NAIDI, released a statement
that informed Americans that AIDS might not just be
transmittable within the LGBTQ+ community but the entire
population instead. The AIDS crisis gained substantial awareness. -
Period: to
THE AIDS CRISIS GAINS ATTENTION BUT FAILS TO EARN THE MEDIA AND PUBLICS RETENTION
Dr. Fauci’s statement had media coverage for the AIDS crisis
skyrocket. However, the media coverage quickly died down due
to reassurance from medical professionals and scientists alike. The negligence, silence, ignorance, and homophobia from public officials, medical professionals and the public created this mentality that the AIDS crisis was not a pressing issue. This allowed individuals to disclaim the experiences of the LGBTQ+ community and spread false and harmful information. -
ROBERT GALLO AT NCBI DISCOVERS THE VIRUS THAT CAUSES AIDS WHILE THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY IS UNDER FIRE
In April of 1984, Robert Gallo and his team at NCBI discovered the cause of aids and indicated that HTLV-III and LAV, retroviruses later coined as HIV, were the likely cause of AIDS. A blood test was then created with the hope of screening the virus and developing a vaccine within two years. Later that year, the bathhouses and private sex clubs within San Francisco closed. While New York and Los Angelos joined that following year, the LGBTQ+ community felt that their dignity was striped. -
BLOOD BANKS BEGIN TO SCREEN THE U.S. BLOOD SUPPLY WHILE THE AIDS CRISIS BEGINS TO AFFECT MORE COMMUNITIES
In March of 1985, the FDA formulates a blood test (ELISA) to screen an individual's blood for antibodies to the virus. The American Red Cross and several blood banks begin to use ELISA to screen the U.S. blood supply.
During this time, Ryan White, a teenager from Indiana, was diagnosed with HIV after contracting it through a blood transfusion used to treat his hemophilia. His school barred him from entering and banned him when notified that he had been infected with HIV. -
PRESIDENT REGAN FINALLY UTTERS THE WORD AIDS PUBLICLY
Since 1981, former President Ronald Regan refused to even comment on the AIDS crisis that was plaguing the nation until it started to affect his personal life. In 1985, President Regan acknowledged the AIDS crisis for the first time when responding to reporters. On September 17th 1985, Regans close friend had passed away from AIDS and this death forced Regan to finally acknowledge the crisis publicly. However, Regan did not fully address the crisis until 1987. -
AWARENESS FOR AIDS CONTINUES TO GROW BUT SO DOES THE STIGMATIZATION
It wasn't until 1987 that the United States decided to take the critical steps towards ending the AIDS crisis as a united front and nation. At the tail end of 1987, President Regan officially acknowledges the AIDS crisis during his speech at the College of Physicians in Philadelphia. Regan proceeded to sponsor “America Responds to Aids” campaign, and mailed the findings to every American household. Journalist Randy Shilt published his book And The Band Played On about the aids epidemic. -
DECEMBER 1ST
In 1988, the World Health Organization declared that December 1st is World Aids Day. -
THE ICONIC RED RIBBON
In 1991, the Visual AIDS Artists Caucus creates and launches the aids awareness project, Red Ribbon Project, to showcase compassion for the individuals who have been affected by AIDS. The iconic red ribbon becomes the international symbol for AIDS awareness. -
AIDS IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH
In 1993, AIDS is the number 1 cause of death for 25-44 year old Americans. During this time, former President Clinton establishes ONAP, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy. -
NEW TREATMENT FOR AIDS IS INTRODUCED
In 1995, the cocktail known as HAART or Highly Active Antiretroviral therapy is introduced. -
CDC ISSUES GUIDELINES
In 1998, the CDC announces the first national treatment guideline for adults and adolescents infected with HIV for the use of HAART therapy. -
FDA APPROVES
In 2011, the FDA officially approved the drug Truvada for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). In combination with practicing safe sex, PrEP reduces the risks of obtaining HIV through sexual activities in adults. -
THE BOLD ANNOUNCEMENT
In 2019, the Department of Health and Human Services in the U.S. announces a bold and crucial plan that aims to officially end the HIV/AIDS epidemic within the U.S. by the end of 2030. -
BIBLIOGRAPHY
