It has become commonplace in America that public preceptions produced by the media may be significantly different than the perceptions of those actually at the event being reported. July’s World Conference on AIDS in Geneva demonstrated that, observed Martin Delaney, noted HIV/AIDS treatment authority, in Austin last week.
It is always useful to have a practical, realistic appraisal by a sophisticated, yet neutral, observer whose opinions are not filtered through the PR machines of drug manufacturers. For example, much media hoopla was raised over a new drug called efavirenz (Sustiva), yet conference attendees regarded it more reservedly. Despite promising early data, not enough trial experience has accumulated yet to support such an enthusiastic verdict as the public saw.
Even more sobering, Mr. Delaney feels, are the very limited research results currently in the development pipeline. His message to HIV-positive people: Evaluate your options carefully and treat therapy regimens, if undertaken, with serious commitment. It may be that present therapies will be just about all that will be available for several years.
Mr. Delaney, director of San Francisco-based Project Inform, spoke at a series of forums sponsored by the HIV Wellness Center and AIDS Services of Austin at Seton Hospital. For information from his talks, contact Bart Loeser, 467-0088.
— Sandy Bartlett, Community Information/Education Coordinator
AIDS Services of Austin
ASA Info Line: 458-AIDS
This article appears in August 28 • 1998 and August 28 • 1998 (Cover).