DC HIV study: Can intense treatment prevent spread

The Washington Post: "The National Institutes of Health and the D.C. Health Department are preparing to launch a study in the District with an ambitious goal: to determine whether aggressive treatment of every adult with HIV could eliminate AIDS." In conjunction with the study, NIH will provide experts to the city health department to help modernize clinic record-keeping efforts and to improve the tracking of HIV-infected people.

"Experts will also show social workers how to monitor patients to ensure they take their medication, even when they feel well." But the study, which is slated to begin "on or around World AIDS Day" will face many hurdles. "Researchers must first determine whether testing every adult for HIV is feasible. Then they must determine whether people who test positive will opt for treatment" (Fears, 11/13).