Dr. Alison Rodger - HIV and Stigma

One of the biggest problems today, with being an HIV positive person is not the actual virus, but the stigma that surrounds it. People in some population groups avoid getting tested because they are afraid of being exposed, stigmatized and pointed fingers at. Stigma is also one of the drivers for mental health issues like depression and anxiety.

Dr. Alison Rodger believes that destigmatizing HIV is one of the most important issues that need to be tackled by scientists and people all over the world because stigma and discrimination are really the reason why we’re seeing so late diagnosis. 

On today’s episode, we’re discussing the studies that Alison was involved in, what the results of those studies mean for the people with HIV, and what are the next steps that should be taken, for reducing the percentage of undiagnosed individuals.

Dr. Alison Rodger is a professor of Infectious Diseases at the University College of London and a consultant in Infectious Diseases and HIV at the Royal Free Hospital in London. Her research interests include reducing rates of a new HIV infection, HIV self-testing, assessing the cost-effectiveness of HIV prevention and improving the long term health of people with HIV. She was the lead author of the Partner HIV Transmission studies that revealed with conclusive evidence that people with HIV on treatment and with an undetectable viral load cannot, under no condition, transmit the virus. Her findings are widely considered as one of the most significant medical breakthroughs of the 21st century.

So, don’t miss out, Episode 02 of Positively Alive!

Questions I ask:

• A lot of stigma is driven by the fear of being exposed. How hopeful are you that your findings will actually help to transform public opinion and bring those attitudes somewhere in line with medical evidence? (07:14)
• How feasible is it really to get people who are on HIV treatment, really undetectable, like 100%? Is that something feasible? (14:03)
• What is your opinion on funding? Are you fearful? And what is your message to international donors? (17:51)
• Now that your studies have been published, what is your focus for the future and where do you think the research in regards to HIV and Aids should be focused on? (21:38)
• Your last message for people living with HIV, Alison? (22:25)

In this episode, you will learn:

• About the findings in the Partner II study and how the researchers got to these results. (04:02)
• Alison’s opinion on PREP as a preventive strategy. (09:39)
• About an Australian study, regarding PREP. (11:25)
• How the UNAIDS reports in 2018 are seen within the context of the UK. (16:19)
• Why the percentage of women transmitting HIV to men is lower than vice versa. (20:15)

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