Prof. Ronald Bayer Responds to News of Mississippi Baby With HIV

Many in the global health community were disheartened to learn that a Mississippi infant, thought to be cured of HIV, is showing signs of the virus. But Sociomedical Sciences Professor Ronald Bayer, an expert on issues of social justice and ethical matters related to AIDS, says the news is a disappointment — not a defeat.

"The baby inspired hope and while today is a sad day it should not destroy our goal of reducing infections and suffering for those affected. This is a long struggle and to say we will cure the disease is misleading. We run risks when we oversell what we can achieve in the fight against HIV/AIDS."

His opinion is echoed in a perspective co-authored by Bayer, ICAP Director Wafaa El-Sadr, and Katherine Harripersaud in Science, calling for a sustained commitment to maintain momentum towards a world where AIDS "is no longer an epidemic threat" and new HIV infections are fewer and fewer each year.

The Mailman School of Public Health continues to lead the global effort towards HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and awareness.