Introducing: The Undetectables
POZ’s fall cover story “Suppression Superheroes” (September 2015) featured a new program at New York City’s Housing Works that helps HIV-positive participants get and keep their viral loads undetectable.

Proud of @housingworks #Undetectables clients for sharing their stories in @pozmagazine.
Housing Works


@housingworks


I think they should implement the program throughout the country! Here in Florida, you can’t find help like in other states and people just don’t see a light at the end of the tunnel. We have to fight for programs that other states are blessed with.


Lisa Hanna


Long-Term Survivors
As of this year, more than half of Americans living with HIV are 50 and older. POZ’s feature story “Older, Wiser and Ready for Their Close-Ups” (September 2015) highlighted Katja Heinemann and Naomi Schegloff’s ongoing multimedia portrait series, “The Graying of AIDS.”

I was very happy to read this article. I am a long-term survivor of over 31 years, and my physician has stated that he does not know what is in store for us with the natural aging process and the unknown long-term side effects of our cocktails. We need to congregate and share notes of our experiences.


Douglas Dorson


Thrilled to see my long-term @GrayingOfAIDS project featured in @pozmagazine. Thanks for highlighting aging and #HIV!


Katja Heinemann
@katjaheinemann


What a great story. I am 60 years old and have lived with HIV for 22 years. Twenty-two years ago, I thought that I would be dead in a couple of years, but with the development of old drugs, here I am. People don’t realize what we go through.


Bryan Eckart


I participated in this project at the 2012 International AIDS Conference in DC. They were wonderful people to work with and their message is more and more valid every day with so many of us long-term survivors over age 50.


William S. Daly


Prevention Power
The science supporting pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) continues to strengthen across the medical research community, as documented by the POZ.com post, “After 2.5 Years, No One in Large SF PrEP Group Contracts HIV” (September 2, 2015). Interestingly, though no new HIV infections were reported in the study, half of participants contracted a sexually transmitted infection.

This drug is expensive, and I’m sure major insurance doesn’t cover it, especially since a condom does the same job and is better for STIs. I guess let’s pay for selfish people who don’t want to take a few seconds to slap a condom on!


Gianni Leonardo-O’Connell


Actually [Gianni], check your facts. I have not heard of a single company not covering it. If you don’t have coverage, programs exist to cover the cost. Preventing HIV is way cheaper than a lifetime of treating it.


Rich Reese


This is fantastic news. It mirrors my experience with 230 patients on PrEP. However, I think we need to re-think the use of the loaded words “increased risk-taking.” If PrEP is protective against HIV, then where is there risk-taking in having condomless anal intercourse? And PrEP is certainly indicated for far more people than those considered “high risk.”


Howard Grossman, MD


Advocacy Tips
Learning how to have an open discussion with your health care providers is an important step to living healthy long-term with HIV. In our August 2015 POZ Focus, “Your Health Matters,” we provided a step-by-step guide to advocating for your own care and treatment.

I am really loving POZ magazine’s Focus edition about advocating for the best health care. Thank you for all you do for the community!


Nicole Elinoff
@nellienoff


Your health totally matters. Whether you’re talking to your care provider about HIV, sexual health, a sinus infection or a flu shot, being seen, heard and affirmed for your whole self is vital to getting the care you need. Self-advocacy can be tiring and frustrating, so take good care of yourself. Your health matters.


QueerTips