Positively Aware
@posaware.bsky.social
HIV treatment, prevention—and life. Published in Chicago by TPAN, a nonprofit HIV/AIDS services organization. LIVE LIFE POSITIVELY AWARE.
PA wants to hear from you: What’s one thing that living with HIV has taught you that you’d want someone to know?
Post your answer here. Select responses to appear in the next issue.
Post your answer here. Select responses to appear in the next issue.
December 26, 2025 at 9:42 PM
PA wants to hear from you: What’s one thing that living with HIV has taught you that you’d want someone to know?
Post your answer here. Select responses to appear in the next issue.
Post your answer here. Select responses to appear in the next issue.
Reposted by Positively Aware
Comm. McDonald: “While influenza activity is elevated, there are simple steps New Yorkers can take to protect themselves & those around them, including getting vaccinated, staying home when sick & practicing everyday preventive measures.” health.ny.gov/press/releases/2025/2025-12-26_flu_cases.htm
December 26, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Comm. McDonald: “While influenza activity is elevated, there are simple steps New Yorkers can take to protect themselves & those around them, including getting vaccinated, staying home when sick & practicing everyday preventive measures.” health.ny.gov/press/releases/2025/2025-12-26_flu_cases.htm
Results from a phase 2 clinical trial evaluating once-weekly oral islatravir plus lenacapavir (ISL+LEN) show the combo to be statistically comparable to the popular once-daily pill Biktarvy through 48 weeks in people with HIV who are virally suppressed.
www.positivelyaware.com/ISL-LEN-phase-2
www.positivelyaware.com/ISL-LEN-phase-2
December 23, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Results from a phase 2 clinical trial evaluating once-weekly oral islatravir plus lenacapavir (ISL+LEN) show the combo to be statistically comparable to the popular once-daily pill Biktarvy through 48 weeks in people with HIV who are virally suppressed.
www.positivelyaware.com/ISL-LEN-phase-2
www.positivelyaware.com/ISL-LEN-phase-2
Have you ever wanted to get PrEP but encountered resistance from your care provider, or had your HIV prevention medication rejected by insurance? PA is doing a story and wants to hear about your experience. Comment here or DM us.
December 22, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Have you ever wanted to get PrEP but encountered resistance from your care provider, or had your HIV prevention medication rejected by insurance? PA is doing a story and wants to hear about your experience. Comment here or DM us.
The challenge now is translating historic firsts into sustained access, ensuring lenacapavir reaches not just thousands but millions and that communities most affected by HIV have both voice and agency as this prevention revolution unfolds.
By Edith Magak.
www.positivelyaware.com/lenacapavir-...
By Edith Magak.
www.positivelyaware.com/lenacapavir-...
December 20, 2025 at 5:45 AM
The challenge now is translating historic firsts into sustained access, ensuring lenacapavir reaches not just thousands but millions and that communities most affected by HIV have both voice and agency as this prevention revolution unfolds.
By Edith Magak.
www.positivelyaware.com/lenacapavir-...
By Edith Magak.
www.positivelyaware.com/lenacapavir-...
For World AIDS Day, a couple of friends who are also living with HIV joined PA editor Rick Guasco for a chat. You can see the fun they had hanging out.
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positivelyaware.com/beto-terry-and-me
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positivelyaware.com/beto-terry-and-me
December 13, 2025 at 10:30 AM
For World AIDS Day, a couple of friends who are also living with HIV joined PA editor Rick Guasco for a chat. You can see the fun they had hanging out.
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positivelyaware.com/beto-terry-and-me
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positivelyaware.com/beto-terry-and-me
With so many options for HIV prevention at a time when HIV programs face massive cuts, education has never been more important—for health care providers and patients alike, says PrEP user Sean Leviashvili
www.positivelyaware.com/prepping-health-care
www.positivelyaware.com/prepping-health-care
December 13, 2025 at 5:07 AM
With so many options for HIV prevention at a time when HIV programs face massive cuts, education has never been more important—for health care providers and patients alike, says PrEP user Sean Leviashvili
www.positivelyaware.com/prepping-health-care
www.positivelyaware.com/prepping-health-care
PrEP is an effective—if not the most effective—HIV prevention modality. But the actions of this administration risk all the gains we’ve made, at a time when HIV rates are rising, say @jncherabiemd.bsky.social & Dr. Julia Rosebush. #SaveHIVFunding
www.positivelyaware.com/hiv-prevention-on-the-brink
www.positivelyaware.com/hiv-prevention-on-the-brink
December 12, 2025 at 7:58 AM
PrEP is an effective—if not the most effective—HIV prevention modality. But the actions of this administration risk all the gains we’ve made, at a time when HIV rates are rising, say @jncherabiemd.bsky.social & Dr. Julia Rosebush. #SaveHIVFunding
www.positivelyaware.com/hiv-prevention-on-the-brink
www.positivelyaware.com/hiv-prevention-on-the-brink
“...in 1990, my dad told me he was HIV positive,” writes pharmacist Rebecca Jackson. “...I didn’t care how or when he acquired HIV. All I cared about was being there for him, learning everything I could about this disease, and helping him live.”
www.positivelyaware.com/my-why
www.positivelyaware.com/my-why
December 11, 2025 at 6:06 PM
“...in 1990, my dad told me he was HIV positive,” writes pharmacist Rebecca Jackson. “...I didn’t care how or when he acquired HIV. All I cared about was being there for him, learning everything I could about this disease, and helping him live.”
www.positivelyaware.com/my-why
www.positivelyaware.com/my-why
The real promise of lenacapavir for PrEP goes beyond the drug itself, by offering more choice, more flexibility and a better chance that everyone can find an HIV prevention option that fits their life, writes @johnmeadejr.bsky.social.
www.positivelyaware.com/from-promise-to-programs
www.positivelyaware.com/from-promise-to-programs
From promise to programs—How to ensure PrEP science is translated into global impact
www.positivelyaware.com
December 11, 2025 at 6:43 AM
The real promise of lenacapavir for PrEP goes beyond the drug itself, by offering more choice, more flexibility and a better chance that everyone can find an HIV prevention option that fits their life, writes @johnmeadejr.bsky.social.
www.positivelyaware.com/from-promise-to-programs
www.positivelyaware.com/from-promise-to-programs
“When we’ve exhausted all other methods for addressing a question, the non-human primate plays a critical role in helping [with] that last step before we go into clinical trials,” says the director of the Washington National Primate Research Center
www.positivelyaware.com/cdc-primate-research-to-end
www.positivelyaware.com/cdc-primate-research-to-end
CDC moves to end research on non-human primates; experts say HIV research will be impacted
www.positivelyaware.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:47 AM
“When we’ve exhausted all other methods for addressing a question, the non-human primate plays a critical role in helping [with] that last step before we go into clinical trials,” says the director of the Washington National Primate Research Center
www.positivelyaware.com/cdc-primate-research-to-end
www.positivelyaware.com/cdc-primate-research-to-end
“...progress means nothing when the people who need it cannot access it. For Black women, barriers still show up everywhere,” writes Latonia Wilkins, BSW. “The science has moved forward, but the system surrounding it is not equitable.”
www.positivelyaware.com/i-saw-myself
www.positivelyaware.com/i-saw-myself
December 8, 2025 at 4:56 AM
“...progress means nothing when the people who need it cannot access it. For Black women, barriers still show up everywhere,” writes Latonia Wilkins, BSW. “The science has moved forward, but the system surrounding it is not equitable.”
www.positivelyaware.com/i-saw-myself
www.positivelyaware.com/i-saw-myself
Results from the ARTISTRY-1 study show the new bictegravir-lenacapavir combo was statistically comparable to other existing pill regimens, although specific data were not disclosed.
positivelyaware.com/bic-len-holds-promise
positivelyaware.com/bic-len-holds-promise
December 7, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Results from the ARTISTRY-1 study show the new bictegravir-lenacapavir combo was statistically comparable to other existing pill regimens, although specific data were not disclosed.
positivelyaware.com/bic-len-holds-promise
positivelyaware.com/bic-len-holds-promise
Despite plans to downsize and dismantle UNAIDS by the end of 2026, former program coordinating board member Christian Hui says the organization is uniquely positioned to lead the global fight against HIV.
www.positivelyaware.com/articles/why...
www.positivelyaware.com/articles/why...
December 7, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Despite plans to downsize and dismantle UNAIDS by the end of 2026, former program coordinating board member Christian Hui says the organization is uniquely positioned to lead the global fight against HIV.
www.positivelyaware.com/articles/why...
www.positivelyaware.com/articles/why...
“...we have never been closer to losing it all—the systems, services and scientific breakthroughs that have brought us to this point are all at risk unless we come together,” says Jeremiah Johnson as HIV advocates ring the opening bell at Nasdaq to call for action.
positivelyaware.com/opening-bell
positivelyaware.com/opening-bell
December 5, 2025 at 8:06 AM
“...we have never been closer to losing it all—the systems, services and scientific breakthroughs that have brought us to this point are all at risk unless we come together,” says Jeremiah Johnson as HIV advocates ring the opening bell at Nasdaq to call for action.
positivelyaware.com/opening-bell
positivelyaware.com/opening-bell
His doctor had once told him, “Once you’ve developed a diagnosis of AIDS, you will always be a person living with AIDS.” If “AIDS” is now considered an obsolete term, advocate Robert Toth asks, “What does that make me?”
www.positivelyaware.com/no-one-gets-aids-anymore
www.positivelyaware.com/no-one-gets-aids-anymore
December 1, 2025 at 3:29 PM
His doctor had once told him, “Once you’ve developed a diagnosis of AIDS, you will always be a person living with AIDS.” If “AIDS” is now considered an obsolete term, advocate Robert Toth asks, “What does that make me?”
www.positivelyaware.com/no-one-gets-aids-anymore
www.positivelyaware.com/no-one-gets-aids-anymore
Four advocates share their insight, identify key players in Congress, and talk about how they persuade and inform legislators to preserve funding for HIV programs—and what you can do to help.
positivelyaware.com/PA-roundtable-1
positivelyaware.com/PA-roundtable-1
November 26, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Four advocates share their insight, identify key players in Congress, and talk about how they persuade and inform legislators to preserve funding for HIV programs—and what you can do to help.
positivelyaware.com/PA-roundtable-1
positivelyaware.com/PA-roundtable-1
Since last year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, at least 55 trans folk have been lost to violence in the U.S., according to the Trans Murder Monitoring Project.
Let remembrance turn to resolve, to make a world where every life is respected and cherished.
tdor.translivesmatter.info
Let remembrance turn to resolve, to make a world where every life is respected and cherished.
tdor.translivesmatter.info
November 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Since last year’s Transgender Day of Remembrance, at least 55 trans folk have been lost to violence in the U.S., according to the Trans Murder Monitoring Project.
Let remembrance turn to resolve, to make a world where every life is respected and cherished.
tdor.translivesmatter.info
Let remembrance turn to resolve, to make a world where every life is respected and cherished.
tdor.translivesmatter.info
Brian Minalga, MSW, talks with two researchers, Sanjay R. Mehta, MD, and Susan Little, MD, who have developed a new approach to molecular HIV surveillance that could address stigma and privacy-related concerns.
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positivelyaware.com/hiv-surveillance-data
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positivelyaware.com/hiv-surveillance-data
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Brian Minalga, MSW, talks with two researchers, Sanjay R. Mehta, MD, and Susan Little, MD, who have developed a new approach to molecular HIV surveillance that could address stigma and privacy-related concerns.
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positivelyaware.com/hiv-surveillance-data
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positivelyaware.com/hiv-surveillance-data
With record sales of its Biktarvy and PrEP drug Descovy and the debut of Yeztugo, its six-month injectable for PrEP, Gilead Sciences reported $7.3 billion in 3rd-quarter sales—$5.3 billion of it from its HIV business. Also, Biktarvy gets an extended lease on life.
positivelyaware.com/gilead-3q-sales
positivelyaware.com/gilead-3q-sales
November 10, 2025 at 4:40 PM
With record sales of its Biktarvy and PrEP drug Descovy and the debut of Yeztugo, its six-month injectable for PrEP, Gilead Sciences reported $7.3 billion in 3rd-quarter sales—$5.3 billion of it from its HIV business. Also, Biktarvy gets an extended lease on life.
positivelyaware.com/gilead-3q-sales
positivelyaware.com/gilead-3q-sales
Funded by ViiV Healthcare, maker of cabotegravir, the ongoing study is looking at injection site reactions over a six-month post-injection period to measure participants’ willingness to use either #cabotegravir or #lenacapavir, produced by Gilead Sciences.
positivelyaware.com/clarity-study-results
positivelyaware.com/clarity-study-results
November 8, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Funded by ViiV Healthcare, maker of cabotegravir, the ongoing study is looking at injection site reactions over a six-month post-injection period to measure participants’ willingness to use either #cabotegravir or #lenacapavir, produced by Gilead Sciences.
positivelyaware.com/clarity-study-results
positivelyaware.com/clarity-study-results
11 years ago the hep C drug sofosbuvir was launched at $82,000 for a 12-week regimen. “we predicted that it could be made for $68–$136”—now the generic version is $21, says the researcher whose team who now says $25 for lenacapvir for PrEP is possible.
positivelyaware.com/25-dollar-lenacapavir
positivelyaware.com/25-dollar-lenacapavir
November 8, 2025 at 9:48 PM
11 years ago the hep C drug sofosbuvir was launched at $82,000 for a 12-week regimen. “we predicted that it could be made for $68–$136”—now the generic version is $21, says the researcher whose team who now says $25 for lenacapvir for PrEP is possible.
positivelyaware.com/25-dollar-lenacapavir
positivelyaware.com/25-dollar-lenacapavir
“I’ve learned to thrive with and because of my diagnosis,” writes Bridgette Picou. “Yet, I find myself back full circle. Worrying about dying and HIV. Or rather, once again worrying about how not to die while navigating life with HIV.”
positivelyaware.com/living-by-not-dying
positivelyaware.com/living-by-not-dying
October 26, 2025 at 5:51 PM
“I’ve learned to thrive with and because of my diagnosis,” writes Bridgette Picou. “Yet, I find myself back full circle. Worrying about dying and HIV. Or rather, once again worrying about how not to die while navigating life with HIV.”
positivelyaware.com/living-by-not-dying
positivelyaware.com/living-by-not-dying
Over 500 PrEP users & #HIV PrEP advocates sent a letter sent to the CEOs of CVS Health and drugmaker Gilead Sciences, urging their 2 companies to get Gilead’s twice-yearly PrEP drug, Yeztugo, onto the pharmacy benefits manager’s list of drugs covered by insurance.
positivelyaware.com/prep-advocat...
positivelyaware.com/prep-advocat...
October 15, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Over 500 PrEP users & #HIV PrEP advocates sent a letter sent to the CEOs of CVS Health and drugmaker Gilead Sciences, urging their 2 companies to get Gilead’s twice-yearly PrEP drug, Yeztugo, onto the pharmacy benefits manager’s list of drugs covered by insurance.
positivelyaware.com/prep-advocat...
positivelyaware.com/prep-advocat...
“I worry about people that aren’t that angry,” says Martina Clark.
“...The damage is done and [we] will have to start over again…the way they’re doing it is evil.”
Read more: positivelyaware.com/articles/channeling-rage
“...The damage is done and [we] will have to start over again…the way they’re doing it is evil.”
Read more: positivelyaware.com/articles/channeling-rage
October 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
“I worry about people that aren’t that angry,” says Martina Clark.
“...The damage is done and [we] will have to start over again…the way they’re doing it is evil.”
Read more: positivelyaware.com/articles/channeling-rage
“...The damage is done and [we] will have to start over again…the way they’re doing it is evil.”
Read more: positivelyaware.com/articles/channeling-rage