Plus Mag Launches Digital Talk Show, 'The T With Dr. D'

Of the nearly 1 million people living with HIV in the United States, one in four are completely unaware of their infection. Plus, the country's most widely read publication aimed at people with HIV and those who care about and for them, is shining a light on this startling statistic by launching "The T with Dr. D," an uplifting and first-of-its-kind digital series that shatters stigmas and explores topics of importance to people impacted by HIV and AIDS.
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"What's great about 'The T with Dr. D' is that it's a fun and engaging new health talk show that will interest everyone but speaks to the specific needs of people living with HIV as well as clinicians, public health officials, and activists," said Diane Anderson-Minshall, executive producer of the show and editor in chief of Plus magazine. "More importantly, it goes more in-depth into some issues than any other television show has before -- especially around prevention, treatment, and awareness -- and reminds the public that while HIV is still a problem, the people living with it aren't. Most importantly, the show removes the stigma around living with HIV in a way you won't see on television talk shows like 'The Doctors' or 'The Dr. Oz Show.'"
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Hosted by Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, the assistant commissioner of New York City Health Department's Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, this six-episode series features a range of notable guests, including healthcare experts, patients, and advocates, all of whom discuss topics that can both inform and empower HIV-positive people to live longer, healthier and more fulfilling lives. Some of the topics covered in the first episode include the barriers preventing people from getting tested, stigmas surrounding race and sexuality, and what it means to be newly diagnosed with HIV.
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"Talking about HIV and stigma is critical to changing our narrative about HIV.� People are people; they are more than their status, and I hope that 'The T with Dr. D' will reinforce that.� My guests taught me so much and I am sure they will help us spread an epidemic of love and respect to end HIV in our generation," said Dr. Daskalakis.
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Daskalakis is an established leader, innovator, and spokesperson for people living with HIV and gay and bisexual men in New York City. He pioneered programs that brought HIV testing, vaccination, and other vital medical care into bars, clubs, and bathhouses to reach men at risk of HIV and other infectious diseases. In 2013, he played a vital role in helping stop an outbreak of meningococcal meningitis among men who have sex with men, running community events that vaccinated over 2,400 men, an estimated 10 percent of all men vaccinated in NYC as part of the outbreak response.
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Since September 2014, Dr. Daskalakis has served as the New York City Health Department's Assistant Commissioner for the Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control.� In this role, Dr. Daskalakis is working toward accelerating declines in HIV infections and eliminating disparities in HIV mortality through adoption of new tools, intensified community outreach, and strengthening of existing programs.

"The T with Dr. D" is executive produced by Anderson-Minshall, Joe Valentino, and Amanda Johnson.
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Viewers can watch the "The T with Dr. D" exclusively on HIVPlusMag.com or HERETV.com. Subsequent episodes will be rolled out throughout the remainder of 2015.