When I’m not blogging, reading, blogging about reading, or watching the Disney Channel, I actually, like, go to work and stuff. Specifically, I’m the site manager for TheBody.com, the internet’s complete HIV/AIDS resource. As you can probably guess, Site Manager is mostly a tech-type job (specifically, I think my job description says I’m in charge of shaping the user experience for the site), but because I have an editorial background, and because our staff is very, very small, I also get to do some reporting and writing.

Articles on ADAP

Within the U.S., people living with HIV who are low-income and/or uninsured are usually eligible state-based assistance (known as AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, ADAP for short), because HIV medications are extremely expensive, but are often the difference between life and death. Except that, thanks to the recession, many of these programs are running out of funds and having to start waiting lists — so people who can’t afford life-saving treatment… well, don’t get treatment, usually get much sicker than they would otherwise, and eventually lack-of-treatment can lead to death. So it’s kind of a big deal.

ADAP waiting lists were pretty common during the early part of the 2000s, but vanished by the middle of the decade. Now they’re back with a vengeance, hitting all-time highs. I’ve become TheBody.com’s beat reporter on this.

• September 2010 ADAP Update: The Sprinklers Are On, but the Water Pressure’s Low (September 28, 2010)
• July ADAP Update: State and Federal Programs Get an A for Effort, but Waiting Lists Keep Growing (July 28, 2010)
• What Does an ADAP Waiting List Really Mean? A Look at the Deepening Crisis From HIV/AIDS Service Organizations’ Point of View (July 8, 2010)
• South Carolina’s HIV/AIDS Budget Slashed; ADAP Waiting Lists Get Even Longer (March 28, 2010)
• More Than a Statistic: One Woman’s Story About Losing ADAP Coverage (January 6, 2010)

Articles from AIDS 2010

Every other year, the International AIDS Society hosts an enormous conference. July 2010 was the XVIII conference (AIDS 2010 for short) and I was lucky enough to be sent there with my coworkers. Because my job is mostly back-end stuff, I didn’t do much coverage of conference events; but I did track the conference online, and provide a semi-daily rundown of “buzz” coming from people within the conference atmosphere.

• Confessions of a Conference Newbie (Sharing my experiences getting lost.)
• AIDS 2010 Conference Buzz: Closing Reflections
• AIDS 2010 Conference Buzz: People Reflect on the Conference Atmosphere
• AIDS 2010 Conference Buzz: Bill Clinton, Bill Gates and CAPRISA004
• AIDS 2010 Conference Buzz: Research, Protests and Lots of Annie Lennox Photos
• AIDS 2010 Pre-Conference Buzz: The Youth Pre-Conference, Multi-Faith Pre-Conference Meeting, and Global Forum on MSM and HIV

More Articles

Other miscellaneous pieces I’ve written for the site:

• AIDS Is Older Than I Am: Musings From Generation Y
• Laughing Stock: How Improvisational Theater Helps People With HIV/AIDS
• Privacy of HIVers’ Medical Records Must Be Respected, New York Court Affirms
• Annie Lennox: Singing Out Against HIV
• Innovative Video Game Helps Teach HIV-Positive Teens About Safer Sex

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