From: Peter Fisher [mailto:peterfisher@verizon.net]
To: letters@nytimes.com
Cc: FAIR Foundation
Subject: A Real Problem

To the Editor of the NY Times: 

Your editorial A Real Problem, Here (April, 20) about flagging support for HIV prevention efforts in the U.S. implies that more funding and political support is the answer. 

Is the Times aware there is another worldwide epidemic, the hepatitis C virus (HCV), that, thanks to advances in HIV/AIDS treatment, may now kill as many Americans as AIDS? HCV mortality rates can only be estimated because, unlike HIV, there is no funding for adequate surveillance.  

Like HIV, HCV is largely preventable. At least four million Americans have HCV and most are undiagnosed. It is the leading cause of liver transplants and cancer. The CDC budgeted $17.5 million HCV last year. It spent $691 million on HIV - with diminishing returns on it's investment. 

The NIH now spends $2.9 billion on HIV/AIDS, but only $93 million a year on HCV, and as much as 20% of that is actually spent for research like Factors for HIV-1 Infection Among Young Thai Men, HCV/HIV co-infection (which would be more fairly funded through the HIV budget..), and substance abuse, according to data I, and other HCV patient advocates, recently uncovered. The NIH has not yet responded to my requests for answers on why this research is being funded as HCV. Perhaps the Times can get a response from them. 

If the Times is serious about supporting forward-thinking responses to infectious disease, and not just HIV/AIDS, it might want to look into the politicization of infectious disease, and how misguided funding priorities are killing people living with HCV.  

There is a real problem, here. Your editorial and bias in disease coverage only contributes to it. 

Peter Fisher, Founder
Massachusetts Hepatitis Patient Empowerment Project