In the 1980s and 1990s, the scourge of HIV and AIDS cases was an epidemic in the country. But as awareness grew and treatment improved dramatically, the number of new cases slowed.

The Valley — and the state — are trending in the opposite direction over the past few years, with figures up by 35 percent recently.

To learn more, we talked with Glen Spencer. He’s executive director of Aunt Rita’s Foundation.

We got the national perspective from Murray Penner, executive director of the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.

Our conversations were inspired by recent reporting in Phoenix New Times.