The ideal HIV prevention strategy uses a combination of prevention interventions. For example, some people at risk can be reached by intensive education and outreach, some by HIV counseling and testing, some by condom distribution programs, some by needle exchange, and so on. A program that trained community leaders to deliver AIDS risk-reduction messages to their peers in gay bars resulted in a decrease in unprotected anal sex. OR used a variety of social, outreach, and small group activities designed and run by peers to help lower rates of unprotected anal intercourse. There are certain cases where a simple cost-effectiveness analysis does not reflect the value of a program.
Prevention is a smart investment.
The potential for HIV prevention interventions to save lives and dollars emphasizes the need to spend money now rather than later, and to maintain consistent, if not increasing, funding for high-risk groups. A comprehensive public health HIV prevention strategy uses multiple elements to protect as many people at risk for HIV as possible. Cost-effectiveness analyses can help determine how to save the most lives with limited funding. The failure to adopt public health standards is done only at the peril of wasting scarce prevention dollars on ineffective programs, and thereby missing the opportunity to save lives. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-United States, 1994.