MN health officials concerned about HIV and AIDS

On Tuesday, people around the world marked World AIDS Day. The day is meant to remember those who died from AIDS, those living with it, and also to bring attention to the continuing spread of the disease.

Last year, the Minnesota Department of Health reported 326 new HIV infections in the state.  And officials worry that number could jump significantly this year.

37-year-old Michael Jennings of Minneapolis has been living with HIV for 15 years.  Recently he decided not to take his medications and suffered the consequences.  Jennings says, "I thought when I went into a nursing home, I thought I'd never make it back out."

He did.  He's back on his meds and getting stronger with help from Abbott Northwestern Hospital's outpatient center for those with HIV/AIDS called Park House.

Jennings says, "I didn't expect to make it to 36.  Here I am at 37."

While HIV/AIDS is no longer a death sentence, health officials say some still aren't getting the message that it's an unforgiving disease.

Peter Carr, director of the Minnesota Department of Health's HIV and STD program says, "Over the last ten years, the number of cases has been fairly stable.  We're alarmed this year, in 2009, were looking at a 25% increase in cases compared to the same time period in 2008 and that's a major departure.  If this keeps up, we'll be approaching numbers we haven't seen for many years in Minnesota."

And Carr says there has been a rapid increase in HIV cases among 13 to 24 year olds.

Jennings says, "It ridiculous to think how many young people that I meet that have HIV and AIDS.  They don't need to have it."  He says people need to stop having unprotected sex and sharing needles.

In addition to young men, men of color are also more at risk.  In fact, the Minnesota Department of Health says men of color account for 38 percent of new cases reported in 2008.

Dr. Joyce Onyekaba, of Crown Medical Center, a community clinic in Minnesota that serves immigrants, says, "It doesn't surprise me because I am also seeing that."

She says many cultures looks at HIV/AIDS as taboo and says, "People that are HIV positive, they are kind of ostracized."

To change that, Onyekaba says there needs to be more outreach to correct misconceptions and most importantly to get people tested.

Carr says testing for HIV/AIDS is important because the sooner you detect it, the more effective treatment can be.   He says it also helps stop the spread of the disease.

Jennings agrees saying living with HIV is not easy.

He says, "I do have side effects.  But guess what?  Being alive is the best side effect of the meds."

Crown Medical Center is offering free HIV testing and also two free educational sessions in December. 

Onyekaba assures potential patients that testing and treatment is confidential. 

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