Getting to Zero

The target to End the Epidemic by 2020 is fewer than 750 new infections statewide by the end of 2020. Unfortunately, it doesn’t mean that HIV will be gone; only that we have taken new infections below “epidemic levels.”

How are we doing? In 2016, new infections statewide decreased by about 10% to 1800 total. The decrease was mostly in NYC; less so upstate.

What do we do in 2021 moving forward? We will not be “out of business.” There will be another 2 generations of work to do. The next target is “Getting to Zero.” No new infections ideally, but also no deaths due to AIDS, and no stigma.

Getting to Zero will keep the next generation of people busy for a long time. I’d like to see us eliminate HIV transmission with an effective vaccine. That will come some day.

In the meantime, the work will continue. My millennial colleagues, fortunately, will be the ones to finally finish the job. Go team!!! Here they are:

Left to right: Tim, Jaime, Fernando, Dennis, Sam, Michael, Ashley, Josh. (Note that Josh is working at digital outreach on his smart phone.)