Education, testing focus of HIV and AIDS Family Awareness Month

By Dana Cole
Herald/Review
Published/Last Modified on Tuesday, Sep 04, 2007 - 05:19:13 am MST

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SIERRA VISTA — “HIV is a worldwide pandemic and it’s not going away,” says Tim Van Nattan, a Huachuca City resident who has been living with AIDS for 24 years.

As an outspoken advocate for HIV/AIDS education, prevention and testing, Van Nattan applauds Gov. Janet Napolitano’s recent decision of declaring September as “HIV and AIDS Family Awareness Month.”

According to a press release out of the governor’s office, 600 people are newly infected with HIV every hour worldwide and 1,400 children under 15 die from the disease every day.

In her proclamation, the governor is urging citizens to recognize the importance of educating families about HIV and AIDS, an effort to help stop its spread.

Recent statistics for Arizona show approximately 20,000 individuals infected by HIV/AIDS are living in the state, with 70 percent of those residing in the Phoenix area.

“One of the most frustrating things for me, is that people are ignoring all the warning signs,” Van Nattan said. “Ignorance and denial are the biggest dangers when dealing with this disease.”

The public needs to be enlightened through educational programs, aggressive in acknowledging the disease and proactive when it comes to prevention, Van Nattan maintains.

New recommendations published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call for routine testing of people between the ages of 13 and 64, as nearly 25 percent of those infected with HIV/AIDS are not aware of their health status.

“What people don’t understand is this is an insidious, stealth virus capable of hiding in your body for up to 12 years,” he said. “People who appear perfectly healthy can be positive for the disease. Testing is the only way you know for sure.”

As part of a campaign to help educate the public, Van Nattan started BorderLand AIDS Services Team, or BLAST, an AIDS awareness organization that not only addresses prevention, but follows current issues and treatment trends. He is a member of the Governor’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS where he serves on the formulary committee.

“The formulary committee decides what medications are going to be covered under the Ryan White CARE Act,” Van Nattan said.

The CARE Act was created in 1990 to provide a system of services to improve the quality and availability of health care services for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.

Van Nattan also is a member of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, as well as the Southeastern Arizona HIV/AIDS Care Consortium, another service organization that comes to the assistance of people living with HIV and AIDS.

Van Nattan urges residents to take advantage of a number of services offered by the county Health Department.

“The Health Department offers free AIDS testing at any one of our sites,” said Karla Jensen, county Health Department spokeswoman. “They need to call first to set up an appointment.”

For educational information and programs, contact Elizabeth Vath, a registered nurse at the county health department, at 586-8203.

“The only way to fight this disease is to embrace it with knowledge,” Van Nattan said. “The response to HIV prevention and services in Southeastern Arizona is improving by leaps and bounds.”

Herald/Review reporter Dana Cole can be reached at 515-4618 or by e-mail at dana.cole@svherald.com.

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Mark Lewis wrote on Sep 5, 2007 7:12 AM:

" Education is the only way the spread of HIV disease will be curbed and that education should start at home. Governor Napolitano should be lauded for her efforts, as should Tim Van Nattan, who has worked diligently, despite his own personal trials, for the betterment of his community and society as a whole. "

Anne Davis wrote on Sep 5, 2007 6:22 AM:

" I hope everyone who reads this article either takes Tim's advice or follows his lead to the degree they are able. We will never suffer from too much testing nor too much volunteerism considering the incredible dilemma we face with the HIV pandemic. "

Matty tD. wrote on Sep 4, 2007 11:21 PM:

" Well done Timmy. You are an eloquent and powerful spokesperson for our people and the cause. It's good to see that the US has leaders of the courage and quality of Gov. Napolitano. MtD "

Jan Waddell wrote on Sep 4, 2007 7:10 PM:

" Good one Tim, you always were an inspiration to me..keep up the good work..love ya "

Jody Barnofsky wrote on Sep 4, 2007 6:27 PM:

" Having the privilege of knowing Tim personally, I know how hard he works and how much he cares about the issue of AIDS and how much this pandemic is affecting so very many people- ALL people- straight and gay, male and female, young and old, white, black and Latino,etc. Tim works tirelessly, despite his own ailments, to assist anyone he can, no matter who or where they are to cope and deal with this disease. Kudos to a fine, fine man!!! Jody Barnofsky Rego Park, NY. "

Ann Smith wrote on Sep 4, 2007 5:23 PM:

" Kudos to Gov. Janet Napolitano for having the wisdom, courage and foresight to make hiv/aids a FAMILY affair. It's high time the rest of the world followed suit. And thank you to Tim Van Nattan for all the work he has done and continues to do not only for those living with hiv, but also in bringing awareness to the wider world. He lets nothing and no one stand in his way, not even his own health issues. The world is a better place for him being in it. Tim, your efforts do not go unnoticed nor unappreciated. "