"The first analyses, published in the August 6, 2008 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), showed that in 2006, an estimated 56,300 new HIV infections occurred - a number that is substantially higher than the previous estimate of 40,000 annual new infections."


Listen, I love me some New Yorker, in fact sometimes I only read in for the cartoons (especially after my stroke.) I?ve been a subscriber since 1991 when I was in college. But recently they published this cartoon, which truly pissed me off, and I not talking about the Obama cover! (Cartoon is figured above.) Since I?m on Medicare Part D, I?m really feeling the full brunt of the cost of those meds. For people that quality for ADAP, I sure it?s a little bit easier. Today, I am meeting guys who are my age, and have only been positive for a short time?WHY? With all the prevention resources that are available, especially in New York, LA, and San Francisco. I?m currently a POZ mentor to a heterosexual, black 22 years old girl?WHY? She?s going to through an even greater stigma and the same, but different, side effects from the meds. Yes, I was in my twenties when I seroconverted, but my POZ mentoree wasn?t even born yet. My parents weren?t even used to having a gay son; we never really had an official safe sex conversation. (My mother?s going to flip when she read this?I can only blame myself, and my naiveté.)

My take on the increase in infection, speaking specify to the gay male population (because I?m one of them,) there?s a sense of apathy or even denial (I?m definitely talking about after the shock wear off.) The pharmaceutical companies make everything so simple reduced the amount of pills you have to take (while increasing the price, none-the-less.) There?s no discount with Big Pharma! It?s not like I think a cure is right around the corner, but why don?t they make any generic AIDS meds? There?s also a stigma attached to being a gay male in the US, even to this day. I marched with Strength in Numbers, a worldwide HIV+ group, at the NY Gay Pride Parade this year. The whole group was probably around thirty HIV+ gay guys?... You would think that between the other marchers and/or the 2 million viewing the parade, there could have been more people proud to be positive and alive! Raising awareness that we don?t want the next generation to follow in our footsteps, no matter how easy the ?regimen? is.

The entire point of this blog; is to promote Sex, Lies & Pills, a documentary film produced by Jereme Scott and directed by Ariel Santschi. ?The goal is to educate the public on the realities of living with HIV/AIDS?Primary concerns of a faulty message of ?chronic, manageable disease? will be debated and discussed.? (Quotes from the website.) Please visit the site, share with your friends, and most importantly donate! I say shame on you New Yorker for encouraging Big Pharma!...YUCK

No Gossip Girl promo...I’m pissed!

Please visit davidcapogna.com to read more about me.