Similarities between HIV/AIDS, opioid addiction epidemics
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 - 18:10
in Health & Medicine
There are important parallels between the early years of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the current epidemic of opioid addiction -- ones that could trigger a significant shift in opioid addiction prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Researchers detail how the HIV/AIDS epidemic spurred a public health approach centered on human rights, which included biomedical breakthroughs and life-saving treatment. Fast forward 30 years and the response to HIV/AIDS has attracted an unprecedented commitment of resources and international aid. Researchers assert that a parallel response is needed in response to the epidemic of addiction.