Infectious disease -- HIV, Ebola, Zika -- does not know borders.
-- Wendy Armstrong, M.D.
In an interview on behalf of IFARA at CROI 2017, Fred Schaich spoke with Wendy Armstrong about the consequences of the travel ban the current U.S. administration intends to impose on travelers from certain countries. The scientific community's success against HIV is based on global collaboration. International conferences are an important component of the scientific exchange necessary for such work. The travel ban would not only deny entry to scientists from the countries it covers, but also would have a chilling effect on travel by scientists from other majority Muslim countries. Researchers from such countries are already being advised not to travel.
The ban may also limit the HIV workforce, since many infectious disease and internal medicine trainees are foreign born. A lack of such trainees would have a disproportionate impact on rural communities, many of which are already served only by foreign-born physicians.
Armstrong urged everyone, but especially physicians, to advocate with their political representatives. Schaich added that you probably will not meet with your senator or representative, but it is just as important to explain to their staff person the impact this executive order could have on you and your community.
Watch the video to learn more:
About the panelist:
Wendy Armstrong, M.D., FIDSA, FACP, Emory University and HIV Medicine Association.
The video above has been posted on TheBodyPRO.com with permission from our partners at the International Foundation for Alternative Research in AIDS (IFARA). Visit IFARA's website or YouTube channel to watch more video interviews from the conference, as well as earlier meetings.
