Stopping support for federal HIV guidelines will hurt people with HIV

Hundreds of thousands of clinicians have counted on the federal HIV guidelines to deliver high-quality HIV care and treatment for more than 30 years. The decision by the National Institutes of Health to stop supporting the guidelines will hurt people with HIV. Now, the Office of AIDS Research has decided to curtail a public and transparent discussion about the future of the federal HIV guidelines. These guidelines, once championed by NIH, ensured that the latest scientific discoveries were rapidly translated into clinical care and increased the delivery of effective treatment and prevention interventions.  

At a time when all facets of the HIV prevention, treatment, research and public health infrastructure are under attack, the unbiased, expert clinical guidance provided by the guidelines is needed more than ever. NIH should engage rather than retreat from the HIV community. Lives are at stake.  

 — Colleen Kelley, MD, MPH, FIDSA —  
Chair, HIVMA   

About HIVMA 

The HIV Medicine Association is a community of more than 6,000 health care professionals who advance a comprehensive and humane response to the HIV pandemic, informed by science and social justice. HIVMA works to increase access to health care services and coverage for people with HIV and populations heavily impacted by HIV and to foster a robust, diverse and culturally competent HIV workforce. HIVMA is part of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Visit hivma.org to learn more.