HIV Coverage

No penalty for BlueCross NC after insurer lowers price for common HIV/AIDS drugs

A federal investigation into North Carolina's largest health insurer ended with no penalty after Blue Cross Blue Shield NC was accused of charging more for drugs, even generics, in a way that discriminates against some users.

Grace Hayba, WRAL health reporter

Sexually transmitted infections on the rise in North Carolina

More North Carolinians are engaging in sexually risky behaviors, new data shows.

HIV, syphilis, chlamydia all on the rise in North Carolina

New data shows more North Carolinians are engaging in sexually risky behaviors.

Grace Hayba, WRAL health reporter

'Making history': Gay couple first to give blood after rules change

The new guidance, issued in May 2023, will now ask potential donors to answer the same set of questions assessing their human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) risk, regardless of their gender or sexual orientation. The criteria will now focus on sexual contact associated with a higher risk of disease transmission. Those who have engaged in certain types of sexual activity with a new partner within the last three months would not be allowed to donate until a later date.

Paulina Aguilar, CNN

Black Americans still struggle to access PrEP, a medication that could lower HIV rates in the community

According to preliminary data released by the CDC in October, there was an increase in PrEP prescriptions from 2019 to 2022, but "severe and widening inequities persist." The CDC also noted that according to estimates, "94% of White people who could benefit from PrEP have been prescribed it, but only 13% of Black and 24% of Hispanic/Latino people who could benefit" have been prescribed the drug.

Chandelis Duster, CNN

Fact check: Biden says Republicans are 'trying to wipe out' federal HIV funding

"In the United States Congress, extreme MAGA Republicans are trying to undo virtually every bit of progress we've made," President Biden said at a Human Rights Campaign event. "They're trying to wipe out federal funding to end the HIV epidemic."

Grace Abels, PolitiFact reporter

UNC researchers: Gut microbiome may not always be protective against human pathogens

UNC School of Medicine researchers and colleagues created a germ-free mouse model to evaluate the role of the microbiome in the infection, replication, and pathogenesis of HIV and Epstein-Barr virus, the virus that can cause mononucleosis and other serious diseases.

Fighting ‘rebound’ HIV: Researchers led by UNC uncover latent reservoirs of the virus

Research shows that in addition to HIV’s ability to lay dormant in the blood/lymphoid system, the virus may also lay dormant in the central nervous system, delineating another challenge in creating a cure.

We must change the way we fight HIV - here's how, says Duke School of Nursing dean

The long fight to end HIV/AIDS has seen real progress spurred by innovative research, prevention, treatment and education. But our nation's ambitious goal of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030 is nevertheless in peril. Here are ways to step up the fight.

New HIV vaccine candidate shows promise: 'An important step forward'

An experimental HIV vaccine has been found to induce broadly neutralizing antibody precursors among a small group of volunteers in a Phase 1 study. The findings suggest that a two-dose regimen of the vaccine, given eight weeks apart, can elicit immune responses against the human immunodeficiency virus.

What makes HIV so stealthy? Duke researchers may have answer

An immune response that likely evolved to help fight infections appears to be the mechanism that drives human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) into a latent state, lurking in cells only to erupt anew, researchers at Duke Health report.

Duke scientists discover possible effective component necessary for an HIV vaccine

Researchers at Duke have published new work in a scientific journal, showing that a potential HIV vaccine component proves effective in primate study.

People with HIV make up more than half monkeypox cases in NC

New research shows people living with HIV are twice as likely to be hospitalized if they get monkeypox.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

Duke Health awarded $27 million grant to fight HIV

The funding is helping Duke researchers create detailed HIV models to help develop new therapies and vaccines.

Duke Health awarded $27 million grant to build structural models of HIV to help advance the fight against the virus

The funding is helping researchers create detailed HIV models to help develop new therapies and vaccines.

Rick Armstrong, WRAL photojournalist

Duke awarded $27M federal grant to build structural models of HIV

Duke will receive a $27 million federal grant over five years to build structural models of the virus that causes AIDS to guide development of new vaccines.

GSK's twin victories: Patent settlement nets $1.2B; FDA OKs longer term of use for AIDS drug

Drug giant GlaxoSmithKline earned two victories in the ongoing battle to treat AIDS, one involving a patent settlement and the other securing FDA approval for a long-term HIV treatment from GSK-owned ViiV Healthcare.

FDA approves first injectable HIV drug

On Dec. 20, the FDA approved a new drug called Apretude. It is used as pre-exposure prevention (PrEP) against HIV and, as a long-acting injectable medication, is the first of its kind.

HIV preventative developed in RTP is 'gamechanger' to prevent infections

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first injectable medication for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to lower the risk of getting HIV through sex, it announced Monday. The drug has roots in North Carolina.

Drug conceived in RTP prevents new HIV infections better than daily pill, offers option for women

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the first injectable medication for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to lower the risk of getting HIV through sex, it announced Monday. And the drug has roots in North Carolina,

HIV Cure Center at UNC to receive $26M in funding over 5 years

The National Institutes of Health has awarded approximately $53 million in annual funding over the next five years to 10 research organizations in a continued effort to find a cure for HIV. UNC-CH is among the recipients.

Cannabis vs. HIV: UNC researcher lands $4M grant to explore possibility

Ed Browne, PhD, assistant professor of medicine, is the principal investigator of a $4-million, 5-year study of the role of cannabis use in HIV latency – one of the main barriers toward curing people with the infection.

Billy Porter reveals he's been living with HIV for years

Billy Porter made history by winning an Emmy in 2019 for his role as Pray Tell, a character who is HIV-positive, on the FX series "Pose."

By Lisa Respers France, CNN

Patients claim Gilead intentionally withheld a safer medication to treat HIV

Patients claim that Gilead's HIV medication TDF has led to multiple serious side effects. Gilead alleged withheld a safer alternative in order to maximize their own profits, putting patients at risk.

Abbey Slattery, WRAL Digital Solutions

FDA OKs monthly HIV treatment from ViiV Healthcare, which has major RTP presence,

U.S. regulators have approved the first long-acting drug combo for HIV, monthly shots that can replace the daily pills now used to control infection with the AIDS virus.