HIV/AIDS: Drug Therapy Program Wins $2 Million Grant

      Federal funding for an AIDS Healthcare Foundation program in the Los Angeles area aimed at boosting compliance with antiretroviral therapy has been increased to $2 million, up from $1 million last year. START, Success Through Anti-Retroviral Therapy, uses converted nursing facilities to provide a residential short-term program with 24-hour support from doctors and nurses to help patients master the complicated regimens and move into an environment "supportive of ongoing treatment adherence." AHF President Michael Weinstein said, "Despite newfound hope offered by AIDS drug therapies, compliance remains a life-threatening challenge for thousands. Many are failing to stay on their medications. START teaches our patients how to stay on their medications while nursing them through the side-effects." AHF Director of Government Affairs Cesar Portillo said, "Women and people of color are not benefitting from the new treatments to the degree enjoyed by others. ... AHF's START program ... may just help achieve such parity" (Medical Industry Today, 3/8).