by Allison Mathews, PhD, post-doc for searcHIV and 2BeatHIV
News broke this morning announcing that Charlie Sheen has disclosed his status as HIV positive. We at the 2BeatHIV Project want you to know that we are proud of Charlie Sheen for disclosing his status and bringing the topic of HIV back into the forefront of people’s minds.
As you read and watch more about Charlie Sheen’s story, please be aware of some facts to avoid misinformation:
1. HIV stigma is real and often keeps people from publicly disclosing their status for fear of being rejected, marginalized, or even being violently attacked. Charlie Sheen was no exception.
2. PrEP – HIV medication for HIV negative people – is 92% effective at preventing people from acquiring HIV
3. ART – HIV medication for HIV positive people – is also effective at PREVENTING HIV+ people from passing the virus to their partner — even through condomless sex.
4. UNC Chapel Hill is at the forefront of doing research to find a CURE for HIV — though genetic splicing of cells, pushing HIV virus out of reservoirs of cells, and developing therapeutic vaccines
**To get involved in raising awareness about HIV cure research and improving community engagement, submit your best video/photo/artwork to 2BeatHIV.org TODAY. Deadline 12/1/15**
For more information on how to participate in the 2BeatHIV Project, contact Dr. Allison Mathews amathews@email.unc.edu. Allison Mathews is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the UNC Chapel Hill Institute for Global Health and Infectious Disease and Department of Social Medicine.
