As bold as it may seem, travel nursing professionals can help shape public opinion. And when it comes to the AIDS epidemic, medical input may be increasingly important.
About half of gay and bisexual men diagnosed with HIV/AIDS received treatment and care, according to a government study published in late September 2014 in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Although 77 percent of gay and bisexual men newly diagnosed with HIV in 2010 were initially linked to care, only 51 percent retained that care after the first three months following diagnosis. Roughly 49 percent were prescribed drug treatment, but only 42 had achieved viral suppression to a level that minimized the chance of transmission. At each step of the continuum of care, younger men affected by HIV had lower levels of care compared with older affected men.
Health officials suggested that stigma, lack of health insurance and discrimination might influence whether these men access medical care.
Interventions are needed to increase reception of care, and those on travel nursing assignments can help. Don't believe it? For the past 14 out of 15 years, nurses have been voted as the most trusted professionals, according to Gallup. Since 2005, more than 80 percent of Americans have rated nurses as "high" or "very high" in terms honesty and ethical standards.
"The science tells us that there is a dramatically positive impact when we talk about care and treatment for people living with HIV," Donna McCree, associate director for Health Equity in the CDC's Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, said in a statement. "There are tremendous needs there when it comes to gay and bisexual men."
To try to combat a drop in AIDS treatment, there are a few measures you can take:
Make help visible
Simply because the individuals affected by HIV/AIDS aren't seeing medical professionals for their virus, they might visit the hospital for other reasons. Talk to your medical co-workers about placing informational posters that are visible in the office and waiting areas.
Publicize in local schools, community centers and gyms
Ask the proprietors or marketing professionals of the facility if you can post signs and phone numbers for those who have HIV/AIDS to reach out and call medical professionals.
Post on social media
Insist the urgency of the matter on social media outlets like Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. You could save lives.
Talk to your friends
Attitudes start at the source. Even when you're talking with friends and colleagues, try to dispose of stigmas.