2009

UGANDA: US Lawmakers Condemn Anti-Gay Uganda Legislation: Associated Press (12.22.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; In a letter Tuesday, five Republican members of Congress asked President Yoweri Museveni to block a proposed law that would subject homosexuals to harsh penalties, including execution. The lawmakers identified themselves as men of faith and said the law runs counter to the Christian belief in the inherent dignity and w
CHINA: China's HIV/AIDS Total to Hit 740,000: China Daily (Beijing) (12.23.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; Yang Wanli; By year s end, the number of persons with HIV/AIDS in China is expected to reach 740,000, Hao Yang, deputy director of the nation s disease prevention and control bureau, said today. This year, China recorded 45,000 new HIV/AIDS patients, and 26,000 deaths were attributed to the disease. Sexual transmission accounted f
SOUTH AFRICA: South African Army to Deploy HIV-Positive Soldiers: Xinhua News Agency (12.18.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; South Africa s military has developed a framework for the deployment of HIV-positive troops and has now begun to implement it, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense and Military Veterans said on Dec. 18. We are holding workshops with all the stakeholders like the soldiers, NGOs, doctors, and our deployment partner
NEW YORK: Harlem Organization Takes New Approach to Fighting HIV/AIDS: The Uptowner (New York City) (12.16.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; Sam Petulla; A Harlem health services organization is making gains against HIV/AIDS by, ironically, downplaying its special status and treating it like other basic community health problems. What is needed is a neighborhood taking care of its basic health, said Soraya Elcock, vice president of policy and public affairs at Harlem Un
UNITED STATES: Number of Named Partners and Number of Partners Newly Diagnosed with HIV Infection Identified by Persons with Acute Versus Established HIV Infection: JAIDS Vol. 52; No. 4: P. 509-513 (12..09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; Zack S. Moore; Sandi McCoy; Joann Kuruc; Michael Hilton; Peter Leone; Acute HIV infections are linked to a disproportionate share of forward transmission in certain populations, note the current study s authors. They hypothesized that patients acutely infected might be able to identify more named partners than those with established infections. The study analyzed surveillance databases f
AFRICA: World Cup Legacy to Help Africa's Fight Against AIDS: Associated Press (12.05.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; Celean Jacobson; On Dec. 5, following the draw for next year s World Cup in South Africa , a center that combines soccer and HIV/AIDS education opened in the Cape Town slum of Khayelitsha. Football for Hope (FH) is the first of 20 such centers planned for across Africa, part of the International Federation of Association Football s (FI
GLOBAL: Group: HIV/AIDS Among Top 10 Crises of the Year: Associated Press (12.21.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; Michael Astor; While this decade saw millions of HIV/AIDS patients in developing nations gain access to treatment, an estimated 10 million patients still go without, Doctors Without Borders reported Monday. DWB s top-ten list of humanitarian crises includes AIDS treatment access, because many of the G8 nations that pledged support fo
CALIFORNIA: Judge Rejects Petition for Condoms in Porn: Los Angeles Times (12.23.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; Kimi Yoshino; An AIDS Healthcare Foundation petition seeking court-ordered HIV/STD prevention interventions on pornographic-video production sets was dismissed on Tuesday. AHF wanted Los Angeles County Department of Public Health officials to require condom use or other steps to prevent disease transmission during filming. County Su
INDIANA: On the Radar: Newborn HIV Cases: Indianapolis Star (12.22.09) - Wednesday, December 23, 2009; Barb Berggoetz; During the past 2.5 years, eight Indiana newborns have tested positive for HIV, an increase of 400 percent, according to officials with the Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis. In response, a group of agencies is launching the One Test, Two Lives - Prevent HIV Indiana campaign. Starting in January, the group wi
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: AIDS Prevention: Signs of the Times: Washington Post (12.22.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Rachel Saslow; An exhibition spotlighting 25 years of AIDS awareness posters is now on display at Washington s Long View Gallery. The 30 posters, all created by D.C. advertising professional Jeff McElhaney and freelance design teams, were produced for clients including the Whitman Walker Clinic and the Maryland Department of Health.
AUSTRALIA: Twin Study to Help; Cervical Cancer: The Age (Melbourne) (12.14.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Researchers at the Royal Women s Hospital and the University of Melbourne are enrolling female twins for a study of how human papillomavirus leads to cervical cancer. More information is available at www.twins.org.au.
CHINA: First Government-Backed Gay Bar Opens in China: Charity: Agence France Presse (12.20.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Its debut was delayed by three weeks, but China s first government-backed gay bar - located in the tourist town of Dali, Yunnan province - pulled off a low-key opening Saturday night. Local government invested 120,000 yuan (US $17,600) with the Dali HIV/AIDS Prevention and Health Association to support the venture. The
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: District Gives HUD Revised Accountability Plan for AIDS Funding: Washington Post (12.20.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Darryl Fears; On Friday, federal Housing and Urban Development officials said they are encouraged by plans submitted by the District of Columbia to improve oversight of funding for HIV/AIDS services. Last month, HUD Assistant Secretary Mercedes Marquez threatened to cut off $12.2 million in AIDS housing money unless the District imp
SOUTH AFRICA: Genes May Protect Some People from TB Infection: Reuters (12.05.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; Study findings presented at the recent 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico , reveal genetic traits that may protect some people from TB infection. The study, led by molecular geneticist Erwin Schurr of McGill University s Department of Human Genomics, involved 128 South African families living
FRANCE: Cervical Cancer Link to Early Sex: BBC (12.21.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Sex at earlier ages may explain the higher risk of cervical cancer among poor women, according to an investigation by the International Agency for Research on Cancer in Lyon, France . Previous theories centered on lower screening rates among the poor and possibly higher prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), the cau
ASIA PACIFIC: AIDS Grants Tackle Gay HIV Spread: Sydney Star Observer (12.15.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Scott Abrahams; Australia recently pledged to provide $3 million (US $2.65 million) over the next three years for HIV prevention among men who have sex with men (MSM) in the Asia Pacific region. The AusAid grant will target Indonesia , Burma and
AFRICA: Lack of Birth Control Access Threatens Africa: Detroit Free Press (12.13.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; Shashank Bengali; The US President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) has undermined population control efforts in Africa even as it supplied life-saving antiretrovirals to millions, say international health and relief officials. It was a huge missed opportunity to integrate HIV/AIDS and reproductive health in a way that made sen
NORTH DAKOTA: AIDS Cases Rise in North Dakota: Associated Press (12.12.09) - Tuesday, December 22, 2009; North Dakota logged 37 new HIV/AIDS cases this year through November, a record number for the state. Its total number of new cases for 2008, 28, was also a record figure. The North Dakota Department of Health attributes much of the increase to new and faster HIV test procedures and an influx of people who were diagnose
NEW YORK: A Labor of Love: AIDS Awareness Week at Glen Cove High School: Glen Cove Record Pilot (12.18.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Almost 50 Glen Cove High School students have completed the two eight-hour Saturday training sessions required to become Peer AIDS counselors. Glen Cove High School is one of 15 schools on Long Island who have dedicated students to go to the hospital [North Shore LIJ Hospital in Manhasset] to be trained, said Tom Lacal
NEBRASKA: Nebraska College Posts Notice About Student with TB: Associated Press (12.18.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Through a posting on its Web site, Northeast Community College in Norfolk has released the news that an on-campus international student has been hospitalized with TB since Dec. 1. The college is contacting persons who may have been at risk of exposure, and the patient s room- and suite-mates will be tested.
UGANDA: EU Parliament Decries Uganda's Proposed Anti-Gay Law: Agence France Presse (12.17.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; The European parliament has issued a statement calling on Uganda s government to reject the harsh Anti-Homosexuality Bill now under consideration, and it reminded Uganda of its obligations under international law and the Cotonou Agreement to respect human rights. The statement calls on Ugandan legislators not to approv
UGANDA: US Urges Uganda to Block Anti-Gay Bill: Agence France Presse (12.18.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Johnnie Carson, the US assistant secretary of state for African affairs, told reporters on Friday that he has twice urged Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni to do everything he can to stop the Anti-Homosexuality Bill now before that nation s parliament. The bill would punish persons who fail to report homosexuals to the
TENNESSEE: Purity Ball Urges Children to Wait Until Marriage: The Tennessean (Nashville) (12.11.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Harriet Vaughan; A Nashville family is taking seriously the effort to encourage sexual abstinence among teens. Julian and Valerie Head are planning in 2010 to open their home for a father-son purity ball, Night of Knights, at which sons will pledge celibacy until marriage and fathers will pledge to support that effort. I think that men
WASHINGTON: AIDS, Other STDs Rising Among Local Gay Men: Seattle Post Intelligencer (12.14.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Chris Grygiel; The number of HIV and STD diagnoses among Seattle men who have sex with men (MSM) has increased through most of this decade, despite ongoing outreach and awareness programs, officials say. An anticipated 70 percent cut in state HIV/AIDS funding has King County health authorities worrying that prevention and treatment e
CANADA: HPV Vaccine Shows Long-Term Efficacy: Reuters Health Medical News (12.02.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; The Cervarix vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) offers long-term protection of at least 6.4 years after administration, a new study has confirmed. Cervarix is made by UK-based GlaxoSmithKline , which funded the study. Prophylactic vaccines against HPV infection are expected to provide a major advance in the pre
TURKMENISTAN: Relief Agency Pulls Out of Turkmenistan: Associated Press (12.17.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Peter Leonard; Rebuffed in its efforts to implement anti-tuberculosis programs, Doctors Without Borders (DWB) has withdrawn from the former Soviet state of Turkmenistan . Medical needs in Turkmenistan are still high and there is a good reason for us to work here. However, our project proposals have been repeatedly rejected, which doe
BOTSWANA: US Rolls Back AIDS Drug Prevention Trial in Botswana: Reuters (12.17.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Maggie Fox; On Thursday, CDC officials said a Botswana trial studying whether the drug Truvada ( tenofovir and emtricitabine) can be taken daily in low doses to prevent HIV infection will shift gears, as incident infections among its 1,200 participants were too few to
UNITED STATES: US Ends Funding Ban for Needle Exchanges: San Francisco Chronicle (12.18.09) - Monday, December 21, 2009; Bob Egelko; A 21-year ban on federal funding for needle-exchange programs (NEPs) came to an end with the signing of an appropriations bill on Wednesday. The repeal, part of a $163.5 billion labor, health, and education appropriations measure, does not allocate federal funding for needle-exchange initiatives. However, it does make
ARIZONA: Kyrene District Seeks Parents' Feedback on Sex Education Classroom Materials: Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (12.11.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; In its next step toward implementing curriculum changes approved in April, the Kyrene School District is making proposed sex education materials available for parental and community review. While the district continues to promote abstinence as the preferred behavior for students, its decision to offer more information
WISCONSIN: Milwaukee Public Schools to Provide Condoms: Associated Press (12.18.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; The Milwaukee School Board on Thursday night gave unanimous approval to a plan to allow condom distribution in public high schools. A recent survey found that 63 percent of city high school students are sexually active, and school district officials hope making condoms available will help prevent STD transmission and u
NEW YORK: Design a Condom Wrapper, City Asks: New York Times (12.15.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; Sewell Chan; Continuing its long history of condom promotion, New York City is giving residents the opportunity to submit designs for a special, limited-edition condom wrapper that will debut next fall. The contest, announced Tuesday by the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, is open to New Yorkers age 17 (with parent s or gua
CHINA: Prior Tuberculosis, Smoking and Airflow Obstruction: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Guangzhou Biobank Cohort Study: Chest doi: 10.1378/chest.09-1435 (10.09.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; Kin-bong Hubert Lam; Chao Qiang Jiang; Rachel E. Jordan; Martin R. Miller; Wei Sen Zhang; Kar Keung Cheng; Tai Hing Lam; Peymane Adab; The researchers introduced the report by noting that prior pulmonary TB has been found to be associated with higher risk of airflow obstruction, the hallmark of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, it is unknown whether smoking modifies this relationship. The current study explores the relationships b
AFRICA: Judges Address How Law Can Assist HIV Response: Inter Press Service (12.11.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; Saaleha Bamjee-mayet; In Ghana , stigmatization of gay men is so harsh that many form sexual relationships with female partners to avoid prejudice and violence. It is also the root cause of the men s inability to access treatment and of the rising HIV rate among them, according to a Ghana AIDS Commission report presented at a recent meeting
CANADA: Gay Men Win Stem Cell Fight: Toronto Star (12.08.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; Emily Mathieu; The Canadian Blood Service (CBS) in October began allowing men who have sex with men (MSM) to join its pool of potential stem cell donors. Previously, MSM would have been disqualified from the 250,000-person pool, as they are from donating blood. Advocates for gay blood donation hope the move will pave the way for chan
PENNSYLVANIA: Rising Teen Pregnancy Rates Prompt Call for Sex Education: Patriot News (Harrisburg) (12.10.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; Comprehensive sex education proponents cite rising US teen birth rates in their support of Pennsylvania House Bill 1163, which would require all public and private schools to offer sex education. Sponsored by Rep. Chelsea Wagner (D-Allegheny), the legislation would allow parents to opt their children out of any part of
UNITED STATES: Lost to AIDS, but Still Friended: New York Times (12.13.09) - Friday, December 18, 2009; Guy Trebay; Using technology and art, activists are helping to chronicle the life and times of those who died of HIV infection, particularly before the widespread introduction of antiretroviral drugs. There is a real hunger for information about this period, this history and these lost lives, said Chris Barlett, a former classics
SOUTH CAROLINA: Calhoun Teens March to Raise Awareness About HIV/AIDS: Times and Democrat (Orangeburg) (12.15.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; Larry P. Jordan; Cold, windy weather did not keep a group of young residents from marching Saturday to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in St. Matthews. We are trying to fight HIV/AIDS by teaching the participants to take the information back to the community, said Quintilla Haigler, pregnancy prevention coordinator at Family Health Center, wh
OREGON: Myrtle Point Board Says No to Giving Birth Control: Associated Press (12.15.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; A plan to allow the high school in Myrtle Point to distribute condoms to students was rejected Monday night in a 5-1 vote by the School Board. The issue came before the board after several students requested condoms from a school counselor. One community member spoke in favor of the proposal before the vote, whose outc
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Encourages HIV Testing for Sex Offenders: Xinhua News Agency (11.29.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; As part of the nation s recent 16 Days of Activism Campaign on No Violence Against Women and Children, a government minister in South Africa encouraged rape victims to request compulsory HIV testing of their alleged attacker. We have to ensure that survivors know about this provision [in the Sexual Offences Amendment A
KENYA: United States Pledges $2.7 Billion for Kenya HIV Battle: Washington Post (12.16.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; Jeremy Clarke; The United States new HIV-fighting commitment to Kenya - $2.7 billion over the next five years - represents a 112 percent increase in funding for that nation s AIDS program. Kenya is now the biggest recipient of this program [the US President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief] in the world, more than
GEORGIA: Women's Health Symposium Takes AIM at AIDS, More: Macon Telegraph (12.17.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; Dan Maley; HIV education and prevention took a prominent role Saturday at a women s free health symposium in this central Georgia city. It was the first of four planned community events, funded with a $60,000 grant from the Peyton Anderson Foundation, that will address major issues in women s health. In addition to HIV/AIDS,
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: HIV Funds Bypassing Areas in Need: Washington Post (12.13.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; Debbie Cenziper; Four years ago, D.C. officials launched the $3.5 million East of the River Initiative (ERI) to address HIV s disparate impact in Wards 7 and 8, where 25 percent of District residents with HIV/AIDS reside. A Post investigation found more than $1 million of ERI funds went to groups outside the wards, and the grants that
UNITED STATES: Psychological Impacts Not Found for Casual Sex Among Young Adults: Science Daily (12.08.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; Federal abstinence-only sex education policy requires teaching students that there are likely to be harmful psychological consequences to sex outside of a committed marital partnership. However, this emotional damage may be overstated, according to a recent study. In 2003-04, researchers surveyed a diverse sample of 1,
CHINA: Public Tolerance Needed for Chinese Gays to Tackle AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (12.07.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; Large-scale HIV/AIDS prevention among Chinese gay men will require greater social acceptance and tolerance of them, according to gay-rights advocate Wei Jiangang. The author of the popular Queer Comrades blog noted that a government-funded gay bar in Dali, southern Yunnan province, did not open as scheduled on Dec. 1.
THAILAND: The Pill 'Forced On' HIV Women Before Getting Antiretrovirals: The Nation (Bangkok) (12.11.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; Even 25 years after the HIV epidemic reached Thailand , HIV- positive residents are subject today to stigma. A recent study of 233 persons with HIV found that: *20 percent of female respondents seeking care were denied antiretrovirals unless they accepted birth control; *Nine women were forced to end their pregnancies;
UNITED STATES: African-American Women Leaders Urge Obama to Target Black Women in National AIDS Strategy: St. Louis American (12.16.09) - Thursday, December 17, 2009; African-American women in leadership positions in business, academia, media, and other fields gathered last month at a conference in Washington to discuss how the National AIDS Strategy (NAS) could best address the specific needs of black women. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for African- American women ages 25
SOUTH AFRICA: Former South African Health Minister and AIDS Denier Dies: Report: Agence France Presse (12.16.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; The South African Press Association reports that Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the former health minister whose AIDS policies drew international criticism, has died at age 69. The cause of death was complications from a liver transplant, SAPA said. As a member of President Thabo Mbeki s government from 1999 to 2008, Tshaba
CHINA: Doctors Punished for Hepatitis Infections in East China Dialysis Clinic: Xinhua News Agency (12.11.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; Several hospital staffers responsible for a dialysis clinic where 19 patients are believed to have contracted hepatitis C virus have been disciplined, according to a government spokesperson in Houshan County, Anhui province. Liu Zhengwang said Ye Yijun, director of Houshan County Hospital, has been removed from his pos
EUROPEAN UNION: OraSure Gets Key EU Approval for Hepatitis C Test: Associated Press (12.15.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; Bethlehem, Pa.-based OraSure Technologies Inc. said Tuesday it has received approval to affix a CE mark to its OraQuick Rapid HCV Antibody Test. This designation is required for the company to sell its hepatitis C virus test, which uses oral fluid or blood from a finger-stick, in the 27 nations of the European Union. O
THE NETHERLANDS: Symptomatic Primary HIV Infection in a 49- Year-Old Man Who Has Sex with Men: Beware the Window Phase: Eurosurveillance Vol. 14; No. 48: pii=19424 (12.09.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; H.E. van Oosten; M. Damen; H.J.C. de Vries; The researchers describe the case of a 49-year-old male who presented at an Amsterdam STD outpatient clinic in the fall of 2009. The patient had fever, malaise, generalized rash, anal itching and rectal discharge after unprotected receptive anal and oral intercourse with an anonymous partner at a gay cinema one week be
UGANDA: Anti-Gay Bill May Cost Uganda Research Institution: Agence France Presse (12.14.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; UN and Ugandan officials announced on Monday that the base of the African AIDS Vaccine Program will be shifted from Geneva to Entebbe - a move designed to raise Africa s role in AIDS vaccine research. However, a UN official also said the decision could be imperiled if Uganda s parliament passes a strict anti-homosexual
GLOBAL: Patent Pool to Boost AIDS Drug Access: Agence France Presse (12.15.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; In a move it hopes will slash the cost of generic medicines in the developing world, the international drug-buying consortium UNITAID on Monday announced the formation of a global patent pool for AIDS medicines. The plan, which organizers hope to have in operation by mid- 2010, represents an enormous step for humanity,
GLOBAL: Hopes of New Drugs, Vaccines for Tuberculosis: Reuters (12.07.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; Researchers detailed progress on clinical trials to develop new TB drugs and vaccines at the recent 40th Union World Conference on Lung Health in Cancun, Mexico . Preparations to test an experimental TB vaccine are already underway in two Uganda districts - one of nine clinical TB vaccine trials in process - and exp
ALASKA: Rural Youths Can Tap Web for STD Info: Anchorage Daily News (12.04.09) - Wednesday, December 16, 2009; Kyle Hopkins; Rosemary Shinohara; A new Web site, iknowmine.org, targets high rates of STDs among Alaska s youth. The site s name refers to a person s STD and HIV status, which public health officials say is positive for too many Alaskans, including a growing number of native Alaskans. According to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, which crea
NEW YORK: Dennis deLeon, 61, Dies; Led Rights Panel in City: New York Times (12.15.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Dennis Hevesi; The former New York City human rights commissioner who later became president of the Latino Commission on AIDS, Dennis deLeon, has died in Manhattan. In 1993 after three years as commissioner, deLeon publicly disclosed his HIV-positive status. He had learned he was infected in 1986. At LCA, he oversaw the organization
UGANDA: Rick Warren Opposes Gay Sex Law: Orange County Register (12.11.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Erika I. Ritchie; The pastor of a California mega-church has posted a YouTube video urging religious leaders in Uganda to oppose proposed legislation that would punish homosexuals with life in prison or execution. It is not my role to interfere with the politics of other nations, but it is my role to speak out on moral issues, Rick War
INDIA: India's Supreme Court Suggests Legal Prostitution: Report: Agence France Presse (12.10.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; As a way to monitor the trade, rehabilitate, and provide medical aid to those involved, India s Supreme Court has suggested legalizing prostitution. The two-judge panel noted that nowhere in the world has legislation successfully ended the sex trade. When you say it is the world s oldest profession and when you are not
INDIANA: Agency Struggles in Tough Economy: Indianapolis Star (11.30.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Chris Sikich; Despite a pared down budget, the HIV/AIDS agency the Damien Center hopes to expand its services. New interim Executive Director Tom Bartenbach said the center wants to add a medical clinic, create job programming, and boost funding for client services not directly related to the disease. The center s 2009 budget is dow
ILLINOIS: AIDS Group Must Return Funds: Windy City Times (Chicago) (12.19.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Sam Worley; After an audit, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is seeking the return of $523,545 awarded to the non- profit Let s Talk, Let s Test Foundation for African-American HIV prevention work. In addition, LTLTF has been ordered to refund a $500,000 grant that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Op
UNITED STATES: Anal Cancer Prevention in HIV-Positive Men and Women: Current Opinion in Oncology Vol. 21; No. 5: P. 433-438 (09..09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Joel M. Palefsky; The current review discusses issues around screening to prevent anal cancer. The incidence of human papillomavirus- associated anal cancer is unacceptably high among HIV-positive men who have sex with men, and possibly in HIV-positive women, Palefsky wrote. He noted that anal cancer, unlike most other malignancies foun
GUATEMALA: Sex Education, Family Planning Finally Available: Inter Press Service (11.26.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Danilo Valladares; After surmounting a number of legal challenges, a 2005 law guaranteeing school-based sex education and facilitating contraceptive access became effective on Oct. 30. The law survived a presidential veto, and seven different legal suits by the Catholic Church were ultimately unsuccessful. Still, on Nov. 15,
AUSTRALIA: HIV Myths Persist Despite Campaigns: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (11.30.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Jessica Tapp; In a recent online survey of people ages 18-29 in New South Wales, many held misconceptions about how HIV is transmitted despite awareness campaigns over the years. Some young adults still believe the virus can be transmitted through mosquitoes, sharing cups, and hugging. More than half of participants thought HIV is t
PENNSYLVANIA: Syphilis Among Men Who Have Sex with Men Continues to Climb: Philadelphia Gay News (11.25.09) - Tuesday, December 15, 2009; Jen Colletta; Syphilis diagnoses among men who have sex with men (MSM) are continuing to increase locally, mirroring a trend seen in CDC s 2008 surveillance report. In 2008, MSM accounted for 63 percent of primary and secondary syphilis cases in the United States . Pennsylvania reported 902 syphilis cases (all stages) in 2008. Its 2
MICHIGAN: Black Clergy Sounds the AIDS Alarm: Detroit Free Press (12.14.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; Niraj Warikoo; Bill Laitner; Today in Detroit, African-American clergy members in the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS are convening a meeting of community leaders at Laborer s Union Local 1191. The commission is asking Congress to pass the National Black Clergy for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS Act of 2009, which was introduced in April
WISCONSIN: Free Condom Plan Clears Milwaukee Public Schools Panel: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (12.10.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; Erin Richards; On Wednesday, the Milwaukee School Board s Committee on Innovation/School Reform voted 5-0 in favor of a plan that would allow the limited distribution of male condoms at some city high schools. Condoms would be available only in high schools with registered nurses, and students would be required to meet with a nurse b
UNITED STATES: Senate Agrees on Huge Outlay: Associated Press (12.14.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; Jim Abrams; By a vote of 57-35, the Senate on Sunday passed a $1.1 trillion spending bill, thereby completing one of the last essential duties of Congress this year. Among its provisions, the bill grants permission for the District of Columbia to use locally raised revenue to provide abortion services for poor women. It would also
NEW YORK: Council Uses Social Networking to Talk About AIDS: Gay City News (New York City) (12.10.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; Paul Schindler; Celebrities and activists in New York are turning to social networking to overcome fatigue about HIV/AIDS awareness. The goal of this campaign is to get New Yorkers talking to each other every day about HIV and AIDS, said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn in a press conference on World AIDS Day. The campaign, I Tal
AUSTRALIA: The Sexual Behavior of British Backpackers in Australia: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 477-482 (10..09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; K. Hughes; J. Downing; M.A. Bellis; P. Dillon; J. Copeland; The aim of the current study was to explore the sexual and risk-taking behavior of British backpackers in Australia and to investigate the influences of substance use and social settings upon sexual behavior abroad. In hostels in Sydney and Cairns, 1,008 backpackers were recruited for the study, whose design was cross-
ZIMBABWE: Mugabe Accused of Ordering Mass Rapes: Ottawa Citizen (12.10.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; Chris Cobb; President Robert Mugabe used a brutal campaign of sexual terror to maintain his hold on Zimbabwe s presidency in the most recent election, an AIDS activist group is reporting. Mugabe supporters perpetrated 380 rapes upon some 70 Zimbabwe women who backed Mugabe s opposition or were closely tied to those who did, said t
AFRICA: AIDS Virus Prevention Gel Fails in African Trials: Reuters (12.14.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; The largest trial to date of an experimental vaginal microbicide to prevent HIV infection has concluded with no evidence that the once-promising product works, researchers said on Monday. Earlier results presented in February at the Montreal AIDS conference had suggested PRO 2000 could cut HIV transmission by one-third
GLOBAL: Tens of Millions of TB Patients Cured: Voice of America News (12.08.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; Lisa Schlein; The cure rate goal for TB internationally has been reached for the first time since the target was set in 1991. Some 2.3 million people were cured of TB in 2008, and the cure rate of 87 percent exceeded the 85 percent global target. Much of the credit was given to aggressive implementation of Directly Observed Therapy,
GLOBAL: Obama Is Criticized on AIDS Program: New York Times (12.09.09) - Monday, December 14, 2009; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; Some AIDS advocates accuse the Obama administration of turning its back on global HIV treatment in its attempt to focus more on HIV prevention and on the less costly treatment of other diseases in poor countries. On Dec. 7, the administration released more information about its five-year strategy for the President s Em
UNITED STATES: USA Curling Hurries Hard to Do Right Thing: Toronto Star (12.06.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; Ahead of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the US Curling Association has created a team-branded condom to promote HIV/AIDS awareness. While curling is a mainstream sport in Canada , the US fan demographic tilts a bit older, and USA Curling notes that HIV infections are increasing among people over age 50. The pl
UNITED STATES: House Approves Bill that Would Ease Federal Grip on Washington: New York Times (12.11.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; Ian Urbina; The House of Representatives on Thursday approved a bill that would ease restrictions on funding needle-exchange programs to prevent HIV and other blood-borne diseases. The legislation blocks a provision that would have prevented the District of Columbia from funding NEPs operating within 1,000 feet of any location whe
UGANDA: Uganda Parliament Outlaws Female Genital Mutilation: Agence France Presse (12.11.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; On Thursday, Uganda s parliament unanimously approved a bill outlawing female genital mutilation. The penalty for carrying out the procedure on a woman is 10 years imprisonment, and up to life for those who physically force a woman to undergo it. FGM is not very widespread in Uganda. In October last year, community lea
UTAH: County's Syphilis Cases Rise Strikingly: Salt Lake Tribune (12.08.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; Heather May; The absolute numbers may be modest, but public health officials are concerned about a rise in the annual number of syphilis cases in Salt Lake County from one in 2000 to 33 so far in 2009. It s a life-threatening disease if it goes untreated, said Lynn Beltran, head of STD programs for the Salt Lake Valley Health Depar
CALIFORNIA: New Syphilis Cases Spiked in San Francisco in '08: San Francisco Chronicle (12.05.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; Victoria Colliver; After years of decline, the number of syphilis cases in San Francisco rose dramatically in 2008 for reasons that public health officials do not completely understand. At the same time, syphilis cases in the city through the first nine months of 2009 are down by 3.5 percent from 2008, perhaps the result of aggressive pu
UNITED STATES: Half of Teen Girls Have STIs by 2 Years of First Sex: Reuters Health (12.07.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; A new study of young urban women found many acquired an STD shortly after sexual debut, while STD screening typically begins years later. And a companion study found the Horizons HIV Intervention curbed risky behavior among young urban African-American females. In the first, eight-year study, 386 girls ages 14-17 at ba
CANADA: Cervical Cancer Survivor Urges Young Girls to Get HPV Shot: Edmonton Journal (12.03.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; Jodie Sinnema; Canada s concerted effort to vaccinate girls against human papillomavirus (HPV) reached two-thirds of Edmonton s Grade 5 girls last year, a figure that health officials are striving to exceed. The four virus strains addressed by the vaccine are estimated to cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital
CANADA: Syphilis Claims More Babies; Rate Continues to Climb in Alberta: Edmonton Journal (11.28.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; Jodie Sinnema; A climb in syphilis cases in Alberta that began in the early part of the decade has proven resistant to recent public awareness campaigns. So far in 2009, the province has reported 217 cases of syphilis. The 244 cases reported in 2008 included six babies, three of whom were stillborn. None of the women received prenata
UTAH: Higher Depression, STDs in Minorities: Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (12.02.09) - Friday, December 11, 2009; Carrie A. Moore; Ethnic minorities in Utah have a higher rate of sexually transmitted diseases and a host of other health challenges. But even as they debate the precise cause of these issues, public health officials are moving to link Utah s minority populations with services that address them. In recent reports from the Utah Departme
UGANDA: Key US Lawmaker Denounces Uganda Anti-Gay Law: Agence France Presse (12.09.09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; On Wednesday, the ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee urged Ugandan political officials to come to their senses and reject proposed anti-gay legislation. Under the Anti-Homosexuality Bill, gays in Uganda could be punished with life in prison or even execution for aggravated homosexuality, such as
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: District Funding of Abortions Gets Panel's Approval: Washington Post (12.10.09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; Darryl Fears; Tim Craig; On Tuesday, a House-Senate Appropriations conference committee approved legislation that would allow the District to use local tax revenue to help poor women pay for abortion. It would also permit D.C. patients to use marijuana if prescribed by a doctor, and it would sanction the continued funding of Washington s needl
IOWA: Everyone Should Know HIV Status: Des Moines Register (12.02.09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; Patresa Hartman; Many of us don t get tested for HIV because we don t believe we are at risk. But as more cases of heterosexual men and women with no history of drug use are reported, we must change our ideas about risk. Another reason for failing to get tested is that HIV no longer seems like a life-threatening disease. Although ther
CALIFORNIA: Grant to Aid Study of Meth, HIV: San Diego Union-Tribune (12.01.09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; Keith Darce; The National Institute on Drug Abuse recently awarded a five- year, $17 million grant to University of California-San Diego researchers to study the neurological effects of HIV infection and methamphetamine use. Currently, the combined effects of meth and HIV are poorly understood, said Dr. Igor Grant, the UCSD psychia
UNITED STATES: Prevalence of Seroadaptive Behaviors of Men Who Have Sex with Men, San Francisco, 2004: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 469-476 (10..09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; J.M. Snowden; H.F. Raymond; W. McFarland; The researchers set out to define and measure the prevalence of HIV seroadaptive behaviors among men who have sex with men (MSM). Time-location sampling was used to recruit a community- based, cross-sectional sample of 1,211 HIV-negative and 251 HIV-positive MSM in San Francisco in 2004. To define seroadaptive behavior
CANADA: More Than Half of HIV-Positive Women Surveyed in Ontario Intend to Become Pregnant: Canadian Press (12.04.09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; Anne-Marie Tobin; Improvements in HIV treatment and prevention of mother-to- child transmission have opened the door to pregnancy for many HIV-positive women, a new study confirms. Among 490 HIV- positive women ages 18-52 recruited from 38 Ontario sites during October 2007 to April 2009, 69 percent reported a desire to become pregnant,
GLOBAL: US Seeking to Hand Off Oversight of AIDS Programs: Washington Post (12.09.09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; David Brown; In five-year strategy documents released Monday, the Obama administration announced plans to shift more overseas HIV/AIDS service delivery and day-to-day program management to recipient countries health ministries. Many already are responsible for the delivery of services supported through the President s Emergency Pla
UNITED STATES: HIV Screening to Be Included in Medicare Expansion: Windy City Times (Chicago) (12.08.09) - Thursday, December 10, 2009; In a decision that became effective immediately, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced Tuesday that it would cover the cost of HIV testing for Medicare beneficiaries at increased risk of infection. This includes pregnant women as well as beneficiaries of any age who request the test. Today s
CANADA: Safety Needle Program Being Extended to More Health Care Facilities: Canadian Press (12.26.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; Ontario s government is expanding a program designed to reduce the likelihood of needlestick injuries, which can transmit blood-borne viruses including HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C. The transition to safety needles, which can minimize the risk of such injuries to health care workers, has already taken place in hosp
CHINA: Hepatitis Infections at East China Dialysis Clinic Rise to 16: Xinhua News Agency (12.09.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; Preliminary blood screenings of 58 patients in Anhui province indicate that 25 have contracted hepatitis C after receiving dialysis at a local hospital. The Ministry of Health has sent experts to assist local Huoshan County health departments with the free screenings. Of the 25 infected patients, hospital records show
CALIFORNIA: Sacramento Campaign Has Warning on Body Art: Sacramento Bee (12.08.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; Anna Tong; A new campaign launched by UC Davis Cancer Center and California State University-Sacramento seeks to warn young people of the potential dangers associated with getting a tattoo or body piercing. The popularity of body art has tripled during the past decade. A 2006 survey from the Pew Internet Center found that 36 perc
DENMARK: Researchers Develop New Hepatitis C Treatment: Agence France Presse (12.03.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; A potential new target for antiviral therapy against hepatitis C virus could be identified by a new study, say researchers working on an experimental treatment. The medication is designed to block the liver-expressed microRNA-122 molecule necessary for HCV to replicate. Developed by Denmark-based Santaris Pharma A/S, t
UNITED STATES: A Silent Epidemic of Needle Injuries: New York Times (12.03.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; Tara Parker-Hope; Medical students in surgery residency have a high risk of needlestick injuries, potentially exposing them to hepatitis C, HIV, and other blood-borne infections, a new study suggests. Of the 699 recent medical school graduates surveyed who were enrolled in surgery residency at 17 medical centers, 59 percent reported sus
UNITED STATES: Antiviral Therapy to Treat Hepatitis C Is Declining in the US: Science Daily (11.24.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; The incidence of new hepatitis C virus infections has declined in the United States , and improvements in antiviral therapy have been dramatic. Yet a significant barrier to treatment uptake is lack of diagnosis, according to a new study by Dr. Michael L. Volk, of the University of Michigan s Division of Gastroenterolog
CANADA: More Addicts Being Treated: Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick) (12.04.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; Andrew McGilligan; Though open less than five months, the new methadone clinic at St. Joseph s Community Health Center in Saint John already is a wonderful success, according to Tim Christie, regional director of ethics services for Horizon Health Network. If you go back five months, there [were] only about 140 people in Saint John recei
GEORGIA: Rep. Hank Johnson Battles Hepatitis C: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12.08.09) - Wednesday, December 09, 2009; Bob Keefe; On Monday, US Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) disclosed he is living with hepatitis C virus infection, and he said he wants to promote awareness about the disease. Johnson was diagnosed with HCV in 1998, and he is being treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center with a combination of ribavirin and interferon. Though Johnson
PANAMA: Panamanians Ages 15 to 49 Hardest Hit by HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (12.01.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; On World AIDS Day, the president of the Foundation for the Welfare and Dignity of People Living with AIDS said more than 10,000 Panamanians are living with HIV and another 500 cases are recorded annually. Orlando Quintero also said 15- to 49- year-olds are the population most affected by the virus. The government must
CHINA: HIV Infections in Hong Kong on the Rise: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (12.01.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Hong Kong s number of new HIV diagnoses recorded between July and September - 123 - fell just two short of its highest quarterly total ever, logged two years ago. The city of 7 million s total HIV caseload has reached 4,372. Also in the most recent quarter, 15 new AIDS cases were registered, bringing the total number t
CHINA: UNAIDS Report Says Heterosexual Sexual Contact Main Cause for HIV's Spread in China: Canadian Press (11.24.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Elaine Kurtenbach; The rate of HIV infections attributed to heterosexual sex tripled in China between 2005 and 2007, according to the UN s recently released 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update. Of new infections in China, 40 percent were acquired heterosexually, 32 percent homosexually, and most of the remainder were through drug use. Drug use was
UNITED STATES: FDA Grants Full Approval to J&J's HIV Drug: Associated Press (11.25.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Johnson & Johnson s Tibotec division has announced the Food and Drug Administration has granted full approval to its HIV drug Intelence. The twice-daily tablet, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor that works by blocking an enzyme HIV needs to multiply, is already approved for use in 50 countries. Under
CALIFORNIA: Bay Area Reporter Obituaries Go Online: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.26.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; Marking World AIDS Day, thousands of obituaries published since 1980 in the Bay Area Reporter (BAR) were put online for the first time, courtesy of San Francisco s GLBT Historical Society (GHS). The Web site provides the faces and the stories to the great tragedy that swept our community over the 1980s and 1990s [and]
UNITED STATES: The Effect of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder on HIV Disease Progression Following Hurricane Katrina: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 10: P. 1298-1305 (10..09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Kathleen H. Reilly; Rebecca A. Clark; Norine Schmidt; Charles C. Benight; Patricia Kissinger; After any disaster, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a common psychological outcome. The researchers designed the current study to examine the effects of PTSD on disease progression among HIV-positive patients in metropolitan New Orleans, which was hit by Hurricane Katrina on Aug. 28, 2005. One year after the h
PAKISTAN: AIDS Spreads Fast in Pakistan: Report: Xinhua News Agency (12.01.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Public health officials are tracking the rise of HIV and AIDS in Pakistan , once categorized among nations with a low prevalence of the disease. Curiosity about sex and drugs, negative peer pressure, and economic frustration might all lead young people to engage in behaviors which could lead to HIV infection, said Dr.
ALGERIA: Thousands Unknowingly Infected with HIV: Algerian NGO: Agence France Presse (11.30.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Thousands of Algerians have learned they have HIV, but thousands more are infected and undiagnosed, AIDS advocates warned ahead of World AIDS Day. The epidemic of HIV/AIDS is progressing at an alarming rate in Algeria, said Scander Abdelakader Soufi, president of the Association to Fight STDs and AIDS (AnisS). Thousand
CANADA: Member of Parliament 'Ecstatic' After Vote Revives AIDS Drugs Shipments to Africa: Toronto Star (12.03.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Joanna Smith; A majority of Canada s House of Commons voted recently to revise a law that attempts to facilitate the export of drugs to fight HIV/AIDS and other deadly diseases in developing nations. The Liberal government passed the initial law five years ago, but it has not worked well in practice. I m just ecstatic, said Judy Was
CALIFORNIA: AIDS Advocates Worry Drug Program Will Be Cut: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (12.03.09) - Tuesday, December 08, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; California faces another budget shortfall next fiscal year, and AIDS advocates are working to protect the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program. ADAP s fiscal gap could be up to $100 million next year, Dana Van Gorder, executive director of Project Inform, told about 80 people at a rally outside San Francisco City Hall ah
CHINA: NW China Province Requires HIV Carriers to Inform Partners: Xinhua News Agency (12.02.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; A regulation recently adopted by the health department in Gansu province requires people with HIV/AIDS to inform their sexual partners within one month of their diagnosis. It also states that HIV/AIDS patients have a responsibility to persuade their partners to present for testing and counseling. Violating the regulati
SOUTH AFRICA: Zulus to Fight AIDS with Circumcision: Agence France Presse (12.06.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; King Goodwill Zwelithini on Saturday announced his intention to revive the practice of male circumcision among South Africa s Zulus. Ritual circumcision was common among Zulus until the early 19th century, when King Shaka ordered it stopped because it took young warriors off the battlefield for too long. Authorities in
INDIANA: Indiana Encourages Pregnant Women to Get HIV Tests: Associated Press (12.07.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; On World AIDS Day last Tuesday, the Indiana State Department of Health and several partner organizations kicked off a campaign to encourage pregnant women to be tested for HIV. More than 8,000 US children have acquired HIV from their mothers, making this the most common route of infection for this population, the depar
TEXAS: Bexar Cases of HIV, AIDS Unchanged Since Last Year: San Antonio Express-News (12.02.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; Elizabeth Allen; Half the women diagnosed with HIV last year in San Antonio s home county did not know how they were exposed to the disease, Cara Hausler, a Metropolitan Health District epidemiologist, said on World AIDS Day. Women who believed they were exposed through high-risk heterosexual activity accounted for 28 percent of the to
WISCONSIN: Milwaukee Public Schools to Discuss Providing Condoms to Students: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (12.02.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; Erin Richards; Condoms and counseling would be made available to high school students under a program being proposed by health officials in the Milwaukee Public Schools system. If approved, it could take effect in the upcoming school year. The initiative, as advanced by District Health Coordinator Kathleen Murphy, would be labeled a
UNITED STATES: Conspiracy Beliefs About HIV Are Related to Antiretroviral Treatment Nonadherence Among African-American Men with HIV: JAIDS doi:10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181c57dbc (12..09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; Laura M. Bogart, PhD; Glenn Wagner, PhD; Frank H. Galvan, PhD; Denedria Banks, MSW; The high prevalence of medical mistrust among African Americans may affect health care behaviors such as adherence to antiretroviral therapy. The current study investigated whether a specific type of medical mistrust - HIV conspiracy beliefs - is associated with nonadherence to ARV therapy among HIV-positive African-Am
ETHIOPIA: Videos a Matter of 'Life and Death': The Record (Bergen County, N.J.) (11.03.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; Carol Fletcher; Two years ago, Wayne, N.J.-based Figure 5 Productions took on the task of creating three 40-minute anti-AIDS documentaries for CDC to use in Ethiopia . To reduce the burden of HIV and AIDS, the videos seek to change Ethiopians behavior and attitudes about sex and disease. In a population of 77.4 million, an estimated 1
SOUTH AFRICA: Civil Society, Business, Opposition Welcome Policy Turnaround: Business Day (South Africa) (12.02.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; Luphert Chilwane; Leaders throughout South Africa praised the latest HIV initiative by President Jacob Zuma, who announced policy changes that include increasing the availability of antiretroviral treatment. At last, the ruling party, the African National Congress, has made a U-turn by embracing and acknowledging the problem that HIV/AI
UNITED STATES: US and WHO Guidelines Call for Earlier HIV Treatment: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (12.03.09) - Monday, December 07, 2009; Liz Highleyman; Revised HIV treatment guidelines issued recently by US and international health officials emphasize initiating antiretroviral (ARV) therapy earlier. A growing body of clinical evidence suggests that earlier therapy reduces HIV- related illnesses and deaths, and it may also decrease inflammation and immune activation th
DELAWARE: HIV Forum for Kids to Be Held; Celebrity Hoops Game to Follow: News Journal (Wilmington) (12.04.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; A youth-oriented forum with the theme Ignoring HIV doesn t make it go away will be held Saturday at 1 p.m. at Howard High School, 401 E. 12th St. In addition to HIV-positive youths sharing their stories, speakers will include BET stars Alesha Renee and Barry Floyd. For information about the free event, telephone Frank
CANADA: Vancouver Olympic Athletes Provided with 100,000 Free Condoms: Xinhua News Agency (12.04.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; Canadian media reported Thursday that 50,000 to 100,000 condoms have been ordered for distribution to the 6,850 athletes and officials expected to take part in the 2010 Winter Games. Welcome packets will inform participants of where they can access the condoms at the two Olympic villages in the co-host cities of Vancou
RUSSIA: Russia Marks World AIDS Day: Over 516,000 HIV-Infected Registered: Itar-Tass (12.01.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; Since registering its first HIV infection in 1987, Russia has logged more than 516,000 cases of the virus, according to Gennady Onishchenko, chief of the consumer rights group Rospotrebnadzor. Testing of more than 21 million Russians this year through October 31 found 46,988 new cases, he said ahead of World AIDS Day.
UNITED STATES: FDA: HIV Drug Lexiva Label to Warn of Cholesterol Increases: wsj.com (12.03.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; Jennifer Corbett Dooren, Dow Jones Newswires; GlaxoSmithKline PLC has written to doctors regarding label changes in its HIV drug Lexiva. The letter, which the Food and Drug Administration posted on its Web site Thursday, warns of increases in cholesterol levels and discusses a potential increase in heart attacks. GSK recommended that doctors check patients chol
UNITED STATES: Acute HIV Infection - New York City, 2008: Morbidity and Mortalilty Weekly Report Vol. 58; No. 46: P. 1296-1298 (11.27.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; The following feasibility study describes a pilot surveillance and screening program to detect acute HIV infection (AHI). Diagnoses of AHI can enable recently infected persons to adopt behaviors that reduce transmission, facilitate partner referral for counseling and testing, and identify high-risk social networks. In
ISRAEL: HIV Infections Up, Awareness of AIDS Down in Israel: Jerusalem Post (11.29.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; Judy Siegel-Itzkovich; About 390 persons in Israel were diagnosed with HIV last year, a small increase in the annual average of 350 new cases between 2004 and 2007. Officially, 4,525 people in the country are HIV-positive, though the World Health Organization suggests the actual number is 6,374. Public health officials expect that in 200
GLOBAL: World Bank Says Greater Prevention Efforts Needed to Reverse Course of HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Xinhua News Agency (12.01.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; The World Bank on Tuesday urged nations and development partners to boost HIV prevention efforts, and it restated its commitment to funding effective HIV/AIDS programs in developing nations. Intensifying efforts to prevent new infections is essential if we are to ensure that AIDS treatment is sustainable, Robert B. Zoe
CHINA: Yao Ming in Campaign to Fight HIV Stigma in China: UN: Agence France Presse (12.27.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; Chinese NBA superstar Yao Ming is helping a UN campaign to fight stigma against those who are HIV-positive in China . The campaign will use more than 30,000 posters of Ming and his fans, including some HIV-positive ones, as well as videos in 12 Chinese cities. HIV-positive persons in China face extraordinary levels of
VIETNAM: America Wages New War in Vietnam on AIDS: Associated Press (11.28.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; Ben Stocking; At a little clinic in the Mekong Delta, Vietnamese with HIV/AIDS can access antiretroviral therapy provided by the US President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). About 340 patients get their ARVs at the Tinh Bien clinic, one of 55 US- supported sites. Of the 32,000 Vietnamese receiving ARVs, more than two-thir
ARKANSAS: Fear Causes Risky Delay in HIV Tests, Experts Say: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (12.02.09) - Friday, December 04, 2009; Carolyne Park; Early HIV testing took top billing among a variety of awareness initiatives in Arkansas on World AIDS Day. The state has experienced more HIV infections than the official count of 5,630, said Kevin Dedner, the Arkansas Department of Health s section chief for HIV, STDs and hepatitis C. An estimated 350 people are diagn
CHINA: Chinese Activists Crash World AIDS Day Event, Demand More Help from Government: Canadian Press (12.01.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; Tini Tran; On Tuesday at a Beijing train station, AIDS activists disrupted an official World AIDS Day event to demand more government help for those living with HIV. About 20 people wearing white masks reading Infected blood transfusions cause AIDS took over a stage that had been set up by China s Red Cross. The AIDS epidemic in
UGANDA: Uganda Says Not to Yield to Foreign Pressure over Anti-Homosexuality Bill: Xinhua News Agency (12.03.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; Today in Kampala, Uganda s state minister for ethics and integrity vowed the government will not be swayed by international demands that it scrap the Anti-Homosexuality Bill 2009 now before Parliament. The bill would impose harsh penalties, including life in prison and even execution, for homosexual activity. It also w
SOUTH AFRICA: South African President Meets Gates on HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (12.03.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; On Wednesday in Pretoria, President Jacob Zuma met with US billionaire Bill Gates for a discussion about South Africa s struggle against HIV/AIDS. According to the South African Press Association, spokesperson Vincent Magwenya said the men talked about the need to ramp up prevention, including efforts to block mother-t
UNITED STATES: African-American Women Remain at Terrible Risk: Buffalo News (11.28.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; Sam Ho, MD; As health care professionals, we like to highlight the tremendous progress we ve made in treating people with HIV and AIDS. We ve come a long way in the 25 years since the AIDS epidemic began. But we ve so much more work to do to battle the spread of HIV among African Americans, and particularly among women. Among all
MINNESOTA: Should AIDS Walk Ads Be Sexy?: Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (11.19.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; Kristin Tillotson; The Minnesota AIDS Project s campaign to promote its AIDS Walk 2010 among young gay men has drawn mixed reactions. MAP s print advertisements feature fit, oil-slathered young men wearing nothing but orange banners reading How Much Will You Raise? across their midsections, while the text makes use of sexual double enten
SOUTH AFRICA: Social Networks and Concurrent Sexual Relationships - A Qualitative Study Among Men in an Urban South African Community: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 10: P. 1253-1258 (10..09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; Anders Ragnarsson; Loraine Townsend; Anna Thorson; Mickey Chopra; Ann Mia Ekstrom; In the current study, the researchers sought to explore and describe characteristics of males social and sexual networks in a South African peri-urban community. They conducted 20 in-depth interviews with men participating in a larger quantitative study. The men s median age was 28.7; nearly 56 percent had attended hig
UGANDA: Family Planning Critical in HIV-Ridden Uganda: Edmonton Journal (11.23.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; Bill Mah; Uganda residents with HIV are far more likely than their HIV- negative neighbors to want to stop having children, a new study shows - a finding that suggests a way to limit the spread of the infection there. In some way that was surprising because we know that the desire for children is very strong, but these people
THAILAND: Prevention Cheaper than Treatment: The Nation (Bangkok) (12.01.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; An estimated 11,753 Thais are expected to acquire HIV in 2009, a figure that AIDS advocates say suggests the government lacks a focus on HIV prevention. This year, Thailand s government has spent about 2.7 billion baht (US $81 million) on antiretroviral therapy for more than 200,000 Thai patients. It has earmarked only
UTAH: Doctors, Patients Reeling from AIDS Medication Funding Shortfall: Salt Lake Tribune (11.30.09) - Thursday, December 03, 2009; Sheena Mcfarland; Facing a $375,000 shortfall in its AIDS Drug Assistance Program at the end of October, Utah lowered the maximum annual income allowable for participation and dropped 87 patients from the program. The state also closed enrollment, denying access to 36 new applicants in the past month - even though they would have met th
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Activists Decry D.C. AIDS Policies During Protest: Washington Post (12.02.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; Darryl Fears; On World AIDS Day, a coalition of AIDS activists held a mock funeral procession from the White House to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty s office to protest the District s shortage of housing for people with HIV/AIDS. Two members of the group D.C. Fights Back were arrested for refusing a police order to move from the doorway of a
ZAMBIA: HIV Infections Up 18 Percent in Zambia: Official: Agence France Presse (12.01.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; The chief of the National AIDS Council warned on Tuesday that Zambia this year could see an 18 percent jump in new HIV cases compared to two years ago. An estimated 82,700 Zambians will become newly infected with HIV in 2009, up from just over 70,000 in 2007, said Joshua Banda. As many as 71 out of every 100 new infect
AFGHANISTAN: Addiction Main Channel of AIDS Transmission in Afghanistan: Health Minister: Xinhua News Agency (12.01.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; In a statement marking World AIDS Day on Tuesday, the nation s minister of public health said, Addiction, especially using heroin through injection, continues to be the main channel of transmission of AIDS in Afghanistan . Sayed Mohammad Amin Fatime called on all government institutions to ramp-up their anti-drug effor
UNITED KINGDOM: Fears over Late HIV Diagnoses: Belfast Telegraph (11.28.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; The United Kingdom recorded 7,298 new HIV diagnoses last year among people over age 15, and almost one-third tested late, the Health Protection Agency recently reported. An estimated 32 percent of diagnoses (n=2,310) were in people whose CD4 counts had already fallen to less than 200 cells/cubic millimeter. The proport
UNITED STATES: Pregnancy as a Window of Opportunity for HIV Prevention: Effects of an HIV Intervention Delivered Within Prenatal Care: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 11: P. 2079- 2086 (11..09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; Trace S. Kershaw, PhD; Urania Magriples, MD; Claire Westdahl, CNM, MPH; Sharon Schindler Rising, CNM, MSN; Jeannette Ickovics, PhD; The study team set out to determine if an HIV prevention program bundled with group prenatal care reduced sexually transmitted infection (STI) incidence, repeat pregnancy, sexual risk behavior and psychosocial risks. At two prenatal clinics, the researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial. Pregnant women ages 1
AUSTRALIA: Young People Need Better Safe-Sex Education, Says Expert: Australian Associated Press (12.01.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; Young Australians did not experience the hard-edged grim- reaper AIDS television campaign of more than two decades ago, and they do not connect their own behaviors to infection risk, an AIDS expert said on World AIDS Day. Last year, there were 995 new HIV diagnoses in the country, down slightly from 1,051 new diagnoses
CHINA: China Warns Gay Transmission of AIDS Gaining Pace: Agence France Presse (12.01.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; Observing World AIDS Day, officials in China on Tuesday warned that the epidemic is now spread mainly through sex, and that disease-related stigma is not helping matters. The AIDS epidemic has already spread from high-risk groups to ordinary people, the health ministry said. AIDS is affecting more and more people and t
GLOBAL: UN Chief Warns of Increasing HIV Infections: Associated Press (12.02.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; Edith M. Lederer; In remarks in his World AIDS Day statement, UN Secretary- General Ban Ki-moon warned that new HIV infections continue to outpace efforts to treat patients, and much work must be done to achieve the goals of providing universal access to HIV treatment, prevention, and care. That means countering any form of HIV-related
SOUTH AFRICA: Breaking with Past, South Africa Issues Broad AIDS Policy": New York Times (12.02.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; Celia W. Dugger; In a nationally televised World AIDS Day address, South African President Jacob Zuma announced the expansion of antiretroviral (ARV) treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women, children, and those co-infected with TB. The country will now give HIV-infected pregnant women ARVs earlier in their pregnancy to prevent mother
GLOBAL: US Unveils Five-Year Plan to Fight AIDS Worldwide: Agence France Presse (12.01.09) - Wednesday, December 02, 2009; On World AIDS Day, US officials announced a new five-year plan that will refocus the nation s overseas AIDS-fighting efforts. This new direction will shift the program s emphasis toward achieving long-term, sustainable improvements in prevention, treatment, and care. We re going to begin transitioning from an emergency
CALIFORNIA: Bay Area Events Honor World AIDS Day: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.26.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; Many events are planned across the Bay Area to commemorate the 21st annual observance of World AIDS Day. On Tuesday from 2 to 5 p.m., a symposium will mark the 25th anniversary of the University of California-San Francisco s AIDS Health Project. Ilan H. Meyer of Columbia University s Mailman School of Public Health wil
FRANCE: Red Ribbons at the Elysee for World AIDS Day: Agence France Presse (12.01.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Today for the first time, Elysee Palace - the office and residence of President Nicolas Sarkozy - was draped with red ribbons to mark World AIDS Day. Sarokzy s wife, Carla Bruni- Sarkozy, lost a brother to AIDS and last year became an ambassador for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. As part of the Light fo
INDONESIA: Indonesian Islamists Protest Condom Use for Preventing AIDS: Agence France Presse (12.01.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; About 700 members of the Muslim Women of Hizbut Tahrir political party rallied today in Surabaya in East Java, marking World AIDS Day with calls to prevent HIV/AIDS through the establishment of sharia law. We have to admit that using condoms is equal to legalizing free sex, said Febrianti Abassuni, a spokesperson. We h
SWEDEN: Swedish Agency Revises Guidelines for Blood Donors: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (12.01.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; On World AIDS Day, Sweden s National Board of Health and Welfare announced new guidelines that lift the lifetime ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men (MSM). Effective in March, a waiting period will be introduced that involves only sexual risks, not sexual orientation. People who have engaged in sexual r
UNITED STATES: AIDS Epidemic Is Far from Being Over: The Afro-American (Baltimore) (11.24.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Phill Wilson; When I sit down for Thanksgiving dinner with my family, as a person having lived with HIV for 29 years now, I m thankful for a lot of things. I m thankful that I have had the love and support of family and friends, and access to proper medical care that have kept me alive all these years. I m thankful that HIV today i
UNITED STATES: Stressful or Traumatic Life Events, Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Symptoms, and HIV Sexual Risk Taking Among Men Who Have Sex with Men: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 12: P. 1481-1489 (12..09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Sari L. Reisner; Matthew J. Mimiaga; Steven A. Safren; Kenneth H. Mayer; The researchers designed the current study to assess the presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in response to stressful or traumatic life events and their impact on HIV risk behaviors and associated psychosocial variables among men who have sex with men (MSM). Notices posted in a community health c
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Struggles to Provide Medications to All AIDS Patients: Voice of America News (11.23.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Darren Taylor; Thousands of HIV-positive South Africans have been unable to access free antiretroviral (ARV) therapy because of inadequate supply, with the worst shortages in Free State province, advocates say. Lekgotla Nkopane has been taking ARVs for four years, but four months ago nurses told him they had run out of treatment. He
GLOBAL: New WHO Guidelines Urge Phase-Out of Major HIV Drug: Reuters (11.29.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Stephanie Nebehay; New HIV/AIDS treatment guidelines announced on Monday by the World Health Organization (WHO) include phasing out the use of stavudine ( d4T ) due to its side effects. Stavudine has long-term, cumulative and irreversible side effects such as
GLOBAL: WHO: Treat HIV Patients Sooner: Associated Press (11.30.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Maria Cheng; People with HIV should initiate antiretroviral (ARV) therapy earlier rather than later in order to reduce the risk of death and disease, the World Health Organization said on Monday. ARV therapy should begin when a patient has a CD4 threshold of 350 cells/cubic millimeter, regardless of symptoms, WHO said. In 2006, WHO
UNITED STATES: Washington to Host International AIDS Forum in 2012: Agence France Presse (11.30.09) - Tuesday, December 01, 2009; Ahead of World AIDS Day, the Obama administration announced on Monday that the United States will host the International AIDS Society s 2012 conference in Washington, D.C. The conference has not been held in the United States for decades because of the US policy barring entry by HIV-positive visitors and immigrants. In
CONNECTICUT: City to Observe World AIDS Day: Hartford Courant (11.26.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Steven Goode; The AIDS Project Hartford, the Institute for Community Research, the Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition, the city of Hartford, and Latino Community Services will host a World AIDS Day event on Tuesday. The observance - at the Connections Drop-in Center at the Institute for Community Research, 146 Wyllys St. - will beg
MISSOURI: County Offering Rapid HIV Testing: Kansas City Star (11.28.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; The Johnson County Health Department will observe World AIDS Day by offering free HIV testing Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. at its offices, 11875 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe. Results will be available in 20 minutes, and no appointment is necessary. Testing will also be offered in Wyandotte County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the H
CALIFORNIA: World AIDS Day: Sacramento Bee (11.30.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view Tuesday as Sacramento pauses to mark World AIDS Day. The remembrance event begins at 6 p.m. at Tower Theatre, 2508 Land Park Dr.
UTAH: SLC to Mark World AIDS Day: Salt Lake Tribune (11.27.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Rosemary Winters; At 6 p.m. Tuesday, a ceremony and bell-ringing tribute at City Hall - lit in red for the occasion - will honor those lost to AIDS. Mayor Ralph Becker, the City Council, the Utah AIDS Foundation and the People with AIDS Coalition of Utah will take part.
FLORIDA: World AIDS Day Events Planned for Tuesday: Orlando Sentinel (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Ludmilla Lelis; To commemorate World AIDS Day in Daytona Beach, free HIV testing will be offered Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the county health clinic, 1845 Holsonback Dr. A candlelight vigil followed by an interfaith prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 201 University Blvd.
FLORIDA: Local Events to Observe World AIDS Day: Bradenton Herald (11.30.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Sara Kennedy; A concert, free HIV testing events and a wellness fair are among activities planned to mark World AIDS Day this week in Manatee and Sarasota counties. For details, visit www.hivsarasota.org or www.manasotaworldaidsday.org.
MISSISSIPPI: World AIDS Day Boosts Awareness: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Heather Civil; Two events are planned to mark World AIDS Day Tuesday in Jackson. An observance called Working Together will take place at the Jackson Medical Mall 8:30-10:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., a special service will be held at Anderson United Methodist Church, 6205 Hanging Moss Rd. The Mississippi Mass Choir will perform, and former Sur
MAINE: Belfast Candlelight Vigil in Honor of AIDS Day: Bangor Daily News (11.25.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; On Dec. 1, Camp Chrysalis - a camp for Maine children and families affected by HIV/AIDS - will host a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. at Post Office Square in Belfast. For information, telephone 207-338-5089.
NEW JERSEY: The Center in Asbury Park Marking World AIDS Day with Vigil: Asbury Park Press (11.25.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Nancy Shields; The Center in Asbury Park and other partners will hold a candlelight walk beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. The walk will proceed from 806 3rd Ave. to Trinity Church at Asbury and Grand avenues for a 7:30 p.m. service featuring a performance by the New Jersey Gay Men s Chorus.
CALIFORNIA: Morgan Fairchild to Speak at AIDS Day Event: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (11.26.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Judith Salkin; Actress and AIDS activist Morgan Fairchild will be on hand Tuesday in Palm Springs to help the Desert AIDS Project unveil its new red glass and copper wire AIDS memorial sculpture. The ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. at 1695 N. Sunrise Way. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are requested. Telephone 7
OHIO: Former Model to Speak Out on AIDS: Akron Beacon Journal (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Jewell Cardwell; Former Playboy centerfold Rebekka Armstrong will speak about her life with HIV at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Main Hall auditorium of Kent State University s Stark campus. It only takes one time - one of having unprotected sex - to change your life forever, says Armstrong, who contracted HIV through sex as a teenager.
VIRGINIA; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: World AIDS Day Spotlights Part of Memorial Quilt: Washington Post (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Darryl Fears; A 1,200-square-foot section of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view Tuesday at George Mason University in Fairfax County. The day-long World AIDS Day commemoration, part of the school s HIV Awareness Week, will include a speech by internationally known activist Hydeia Broadbent. Thousands are expected to at
NEW YORK: World AIDS Day in NYC: Time Out New York (11.26.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Beth Greenfield; Many events are planned to commemorate World AIDS Day in New York City on Dec. 1. Gay Men s Health Crisis, the Keith Haring Foundation and other sponsors will host the Out of the Darkness Vigil at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan; 164 W. 100th St.; 212-222-7045. The Gay Men s Chorus of Manhattan will perf
MICHIGAN: Local Nonprofit Looking to Bring Needle Exchange Program to Flint: Flint Journal (11.22.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Kristin Longley; Local officials are considering amending Flint s drug paraphernalia ordinance to allow the city s first syringe- exchange program. I think it s something that scares people. But the reality is drugs are in our community, Genessee County Health Officer Mark Valacak said. The effort is spearheaded by Wellness AIDS Servic
TAIWAN: Effects of Structural Intervention on Increasing Condom Availability and Reducing Risky Sexual Behaviors in Gay Bathhouse Attendees: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 12: P. 1499-1507 (12.01.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Nai-Ying Ko and others; In the current study, researchers sought to evaluate the effectiveness of a structural intervention in reducing unprotected sexual behaviors, increasing condom accessibility and their relationship to the prevalence of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in gay bathhouse attendees. The team undertoo
GLOBAL: HIV/AIDS Commitments to Women Often Unmet: Voice of America News (11.23.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Joe DeCapua; Governments around the world tend to be tightlipped about their progress in addressing the epidemic of HIV/AIDS among women and girls, says a new report from the advocacy organization AIDS Accountability International. There is widespread lack of accountability and transparency in national AIDS responses, meaning we do
ASIA: HIV Stable in Asia but Rising Among Women, Gay Men: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (11.24.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia is generally stabilizing, though the infection rate among women and gay men is rising in some nations, according to the UN s 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update. In the region, women accounted for 35 percent of people living with HIV last year, up from 19 percent in 2000. In particular countries, th
TENNESSEE: AIDS Patients in State to Wait: Commercial Appeal (Memphis) (11.27.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009; Kristina Goetz; As of Nov. 24, 95 Tennesseans living with HIV were on a waiting list for the state s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. More people amid the swelling ranks of the unemployed and the uninsured are seeking ADAP s help, officials said. Tennessee joins at least eight other states with ADAP wait lists. Medications for the treatm
MASSACHUSETTS: Salutes to ACT UP: Boston Globe (11.24.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Hannah Martin; The images that helped launch AIDS activism are celebrated in ACT UP New York: Activism, Art and the AIDS Crisis, an exhibit on view through Dec. 23 at the Harvard Art Museum s Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts. For more information, visit http://www.ves.fas.harvard.edu/ACTUP.html.
MASSACHUSETTS: How You Can Commemorate World AIDS Day 2009: Bay Windows (Boston) (11.24.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Hannah Clay Wareham; Many World AIDS Day activities are planned in Boston and other cities in the state. The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts has posted an extensive listing; visit www.aac.org.
GEORGIA: World AIDS Day to Be Recognized at UGA: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (11.25.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Craig Schneider; At the University of Georgia s Tate Plaza on Dec. 1, Health Promotion Department staffers and members of Sexual Health Helpers of UGA and AIDS Walk/Run Athens will distribute condoms, HIV prevention information and AIDS awareness red ribbons. A limited number of free, anonymous rapid-result HIV tests will be available
FLORIDA: Free HIV Testing in Lake County for World AIDS Day: Orlando Sentinel (11.23.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; On Dec. 1, the Lake County Health Department is offering HIV testing from 8 a.m. to noon at 249 E. Collins St. in Umatilla. On Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., the department will conduct testing at the Seventh Day Adventist Church s Life Changing Christian Center, 18440 US Hwy. 441 in Mount Dora. At both events, testing
MICHIGAN: West Michigan Joins World AIDS Day 2009: Battle Creek Enquirer (11.23.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Jan de la Torre; In recognition of World AIDS Day, Community AIDS Resource and Education Services (CARES) is partnering with other organizations to offer free, confidential HIV testing from Nov. 30 through Dec. 4 in several western Michigan locations. Testing will be conducted on Nov. 30 at Ministry with Community in Kalamazoo; on Dec.
NORTH CAROLINA: Western North Carolina AIDS Project Brings Commemorative Quilt to Pack Place in Asheville: Asheville Citizen-Times (11.24.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Nanci Bompey; The Western North Carolina AIDS Project is sponsoring a display of 160 panels from the NAMES Project s AIDS Memorial Quilt at Pack Place Education, Arts & Science Center in downtown Asheville. The free exhibit is open daily, except Thanksgiving, through Dec. 2. A candlelight memorial vigil will mark World AIDS Day
CALIFORNIA: Film Captures Health Workers' Role in Early Days of AIDS: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.12.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; A new 30-minute film tells the story of San Francisco health care workers who cared for the earliest AIDS patients and how their work continues to shape the delivery of HIV care today. Life Before the Lifeboat: San Francisco s Courageous Response to the AIDS Outbreak, features interviews with key health care workers, i
UGANDA: Study in Rural Uganda Finds Benefits in Treating AIDS Patients at Home: New York Times (11.24.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; A new study from Uganda finds that home-based AIDS care is as effective as that delivered in a clinical setting and is considerably cheaper. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Boston University and several Ugandan institutions conducted the study, which chiefly involved subsistence far
PAKISTAN: Pakistan's HIV Cricket Team Are Positive Role Models: CNN.com (11.17.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Mark Tutton; Besides racking up wins in the country s national sport, a cricket team in Pakistan has as its mission fighting the considerable stigma against people with HIV/AIDS. Created a year ago by the HIV rights group the Pakistan Society, First Positive Cricket Team s is composed entirely of HIV-positive members. And in August
GLOBAL: Over 33 Million Infected with AIDS Virus: UN: Reuters (11.24.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Global advances in HIV treatment and prevention continue to be lopsided, UN officials said during the release of the organization s 2009 AIDS Epidemic Update. Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) have extended the lives of millions of patients, yet more than half of patients in low- and middle-income countries who need treatmen
GLOBAL: AIDS Deaths Top 25 Million but Infections Slow: Agence France Presse (11.24.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; D'Arcy Doran; The number of people living with HIV grew by 2.7 million new infections in 2008, but that represented a 17 percent decline from eight years earlier, the UN reported Tuesday. Since 2001, HIV incidence has plummeted by 25 percent in East Africa, by 15 percent in sub-Saharan Africa, and by 10 percent in South and Southeas
NORTH CAROLINA: Syphilis Cases Climbing Across N.C.: News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (11.23.09) - Wednesday, November 25, 2009; Sadia Latifi; North Carolina syphilis cases have almost doubled in the past year across nearly all ages and racial groups, and health officials say funding to fight the disease is inadequate. During the first nine months of this year, the state had 684 syphilis cases, compared with 359 in the same timeframe in 2008. In 1999, CDC dev
NEW MEXICO: Southwest CARE Has AIDS Day Events: Albuquerque Journal (11.22.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; Southwest Comprehensive AIDS Care, Research and Education (CARE) Center will host a World AIDS Day gathering at 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the Railyard. Founded in 1996, the center serves some 600 area residents. The event will include the lighting of farolitos, or paper lanterns, decorated with the red AIDS ribbon, plus p
CALIFORNIA: World AIDS Day on Dec. 1: Salinas Californian (11.20.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services will mark World AIDS Day with a full day of activities on Dec. 1. At 6 p.m., the group will co-host a commemoration - including speakers, food and a candlelight vigil - at Epiphany Lutheran & Episcopal Church, 425 Carmel Ave., Marina.
ARKANSAS: University of Central Arkansas to Host AIDS Activist: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (11.20.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; AIDS activist and Emmy Award-winner Rae Lewis-Thornton will present a talk entitled Catching, Coping and Conquering: The Fight Against HIV/AIDS at 6 p.m. on Dec. 1 at the University of Central Arkansas Doyne Auditorium. Lewis-Thornton rose to prominence in 1994 after Essence magazine profiled her life with HIV. Her app
GEORGIA: TB Patient Suit Dismissed: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (11.24.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; Sheila M. Poole; A US District Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit in which an Atlanta attorney claimed CDC violated his privacy. Judge William S. Duffey Jr. said Andrew Speaker had failed to provide specific, material facts to support the lawsuit proceeding. On May 29, 2007, CDC announced that a patient with extensively drug-resistant
POLAND: Firing of HIV Police Officers Unconstitutional: Agence France Presse (11.23.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; A 1991 interior ministry directive declaring that people with HIV were entirely incapable of working in the police force was struck down Monday by Poland s Constitutional Tribunal. The court was asked to rule on the matter after a Gdansk police officer, on the force since 1998, was fired when he tested HIV-positive in
NORTH AMERICA: Latent Tuberculosis Infection Treatment Acceptance and Completion in the United States and Canada: Chest doi:10.1378/chest.09-0394 (09.30.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; C. Robert Horsburgh Jr., MD; and others; Treating latent TB infection is essential for preventing active disease, noted C. Robert Horsburgh Jr. of Boston University School of Public Health and colleagues. In the current study, the researchers assessed treatment uptake and completion rates in a sample of public and private clinics in the United States
GLOBAL: Study Pushes for Aggressive Spending in Fight Against HIV/AIDS: Vancouver Sun (11.18.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; Allison Cross; Canwest News Service; The most effective method for eradicating - rather than curbing - AIDS would be robust, immediate funding for HIV control efforts, Canadian researchers say in a new study. Funding allocations for global anti-AIDS efforts have dramatically increased since 2000, but current plans hold most of the money in reserve and are
CANADA: Snowbirds Warned of HIV While Vacationing; Prevalence of Virus Among 50-Plus Highest in Southern Florida: Edmonton Journal (11.19.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; Mike Barber; Canadians vacationing in South Florida, also known as snowbirds, are arriving in a community that has the United States highest rates of HIV/AIDS among those older than 50. Canadian health officials, therefore, are trying to raise awareness of HIV among this population. Older adults, including those dating again after
MISSISSIPPI: Merits of Abstinence Education Debated: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (11.15.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; Marquita Brown; Rising STD numbers among teens are leading some Mississippi health educators to question the efficacy of abstinence-only sex education. You can t teach in the school about contraception and all that, but we re seeing a huge number of STDs in these students, said Jasmine Chapman, executive director of the Jackson-Hinds
MISSISSIPPI: STD Cases Up Among Mississippi Teens: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (11.15.09) - Tuesday, November 24, 2009; Marquita Brown; While youths ages 15-19 comprise 7.6 percent of Mississippi s population, in 2008 they accounted for 40.1 percent of reported chlamydia cases, 32.3 percent of gonorrhea cases, 10.5 percent of early syphilis cases, and 7.8 percent of new HIV/AIDS cases, according to state data. When you get STDs, it s normally also beca
NEW YORK: Free HIV Testing on World AIDS Day: News Channel 34 (Binghamton) (11.19.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; Marking World AIDS Day, Planned Parenthood of South Central New York will offer free HIV testing on Dec. 1 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its clinics in Binghamton, Norwich, Sidney, Oneonta, and Walton. Results of the finger-stick blood test will be available in 20 minutes. Counselors will work with testers to help them iden
CANADA: Joint Services Planned for AIDS Day: Waterloo Region Record (11.19.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; Mirko Petricevic; At least nine local churches are planning observances on or around World AIDS Day, Dec. 1. In downtown Cambridge, eight congregations are coming together at Trinity Anglican Church for an ecumenical AIDS awareness event with keynote speaker Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik. The Guelph physician is leading the Bracelet of Hope ca
SOUTH AFRICA: South African Women Having Fewer Children: Report: Xinhua News Agency (11.20.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; The recent population report issued by the South African Institute of Race Relations indicates the nation s birthrate is falling. The average birthrate between 2001 and 2006, 2.7 live births per 1,000 women, is projected to decline to 2.4 between 2008 and 2011. The survey shows that in South Africa the spread of HIV/AI
OHIO: Study of Female Condom Could Yield Another Choice: Courier Journal (Louisville) (11.19.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; Darla Carter; Early next year, the University of Cincinnati will be one of a dozen sites where researchers will begin studying an improved female condom. The university s Center for Reproductive Health may begin enrolling 50-60 female volunteers in February, said Dr. Michael A. Thomas, the center s director. The National Institutes
AUSTRALIA: Hepatitis C in Kids Goes Largely Undetected: Study: Australian Associated Press (11.15.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; Danny Rose; A new study suggests that Australia s system for screening mothers on methadone may be missing many cases of hepatitis C virus among their children. Nearly all pregnant women enrolled in methadone programs are tested for HCV; however, the report finds that a follow-up test to determine the transmissibility of the virus
CHINA: Facts and Fiction of the Relationship Between Pre- existing Tuberculosis and Lung Cancer Risk: A Systematic Review: International Journal of Cancer Vol. 125; No. 12: P. 2936-2944 (12.15.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; Hui-Ying Liang; Xue-Lian Li; Xiao-Song Yu; Peng Guan; Zhi-Hua Yin; Qin-Cheng He; Bao-Sen Zhou; The authors introduced the current study by acknowledging the existence of conflicting evidence regarding the possible association between TB and subsequent risk of lung cancer. To investigate, they undertook a systematic review of 37 case- control studies and four cohort studies (published between January 1966 and Jan
SOUTH AFRICA: Survey Reveals Leading Causes of Death: Independent Online (11.17.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; South African Press Association; The effect of South Africa s HIV/AIDS epidemic can be seen in the leading causes of mortality, which are TB, influenza, and pneumonia, a new report finds. This should not be taken to mean that HIV and AIDS was not a direct contributor to a very large proportion of observed mortality, but rather it should be noted that
UNITED KINGDOM: British Poll Reveals Sexual Ignorance: Agence France Presse (11.20.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; A new survey shows a surprising number of people in Britain are uninformed about sex, and talking about sexual health remains too embarrassing for many. The poll of 2,000 people ages 16-50 was commissioned by the Department of Health and the Department for Children, Schools and Families. Of those surveyed, 11 percent s
MASSACHUSETTS: Budget Cuts Fallout: Rape Program Faces Ax: Boston Herald (11.15.09) - Monday, November 23, 2009; Katy Jordan; The budget ax is falling on a 15-year-old program in which trained nurses provide both health care to rape victims and the forensic services needed to secure conviction of assailants. We are evaluating various scenarios to determine the best way to implement the budget cuts so as to have as little impact on the service
PENNSYLVANIA: World AIDS Day Confab Offered in Bethlehem: Pocono Record (11.19.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; On World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, the AIDS Activities Office at Lehigh Valley Health Network and the Allentown Health Bureau will present a conference entitled, HIV: The Aging of a Growing Population. The keynote address will be delivered by Jane Fowler, who was diagnosed with HIV at age 55. She is the founder and director of
NEW YORK: N.Y. Protestors Target Uganda Anti-Gay Law: Agence France Presse (11.19.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; On Thursday in Manhattan, about 40 people gathered at Uganda s UN mission to protest that nation s proposed new anti- homosexuality law. The United States and France have condemned the measure, which would impose the death penalty for aggravated homosexuality, including acts by persons who are HIV-positive.
SOUTH AFRICA: 32 Percent of South African Children to Lose a Parent to AIDS by 2015: Business Day (South Africa) (11.19.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; South African Press Association; Citing data from its latest survey, the South African Institute of Race Relations reports that 32 percent of all children in the nation will have lost one or both parents to AIDS by 2015. The SAIRR report says that in 2007, 2.5 million children had lost one or both parents, and AIDS was the cause of more than half thes
UNITED STATES: The Cost and Causalities of Silence: HIV/AIDS in Black America: New York Beacon (10.08.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; Tony Wafford; There is a terrible and terrifying creature stalking the black community night and day. This terrible and terrifying creature is called HIV/AIDS, and it has come to our community and is consuming our life energy and undermining our future. It is now the number-one killer of our people between the ages of 22-45. To sav
SOUTH CAROLINA: SHARE Informs Students About AIDS: Daily Gamecock (University of South Carolina) (11.18.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; Derek Legette; Students at the University of South Carolina (USC) are using World AIDS Day to elevate the profile of sexual health on campus. We want to keep students, our campus, and the community alert and not condone risky behaviors, said Ebony Allen, SHARE s World AIDS Day coordinator. USC s student sexual health awareness activi
CALIFORNIA: Stimulus Money to Support UCSF HIV Studies: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.19.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; Using federal stimulus funds, the National Institutes of Health has awarded $1 million grants to two HIV studies that will be conducted by University of California-San Francisco researchers. The first study will examine mobile phone text-messaging to improve treatment adherence among HIV patients who face complex regim
UNITED STATES: Cervical Cancer Screening Can Wait Until 21, Group Says: Washington Post (11.20.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; Rob Stein; Women should have their first cervical cancer screening at age 21, and most can be rescreened less frequently than previously recommended, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) said today. The new guidelines are based on scientific evidence that more frequent testing does not prevent significan
AUSTRALIA: Victoria Calls for HIV Protocols: Sydney Star Observer (11.19.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; HIV/AIDS advocates in Victoria want authorities to provide clearer policies for determining when criminal charges should be lodged against HIV-positive people who risk infecting others. Though there are national guidelines, a recent review suggests many state policies are unclear about what circumstances trigger a heal
CALIFORNIA: Research Shows Neighborhoods Where AIDS Treatments Lag: New York Times (11.06.09) - Friday, November 20, 2009; Carol Pogash; A project to map HIV viral loads in San Francisco shows that while more HIV cases are in the largely gay Castro neighborhood, residents with HIV in poorer neighborhoods tend to be sicker or untreated. The city s health department is combining medical data with epidemiological tools to help target treatment in a groundb
SOUTH CAROLINA: HIV Tests, Vigils Planned for World AIDS Day: The State (Columbia, S.C.) (11.17.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; South Carolina s Department of Health and Environmental Control will mark World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 by offering free or low-cost rapid HIV tests in many county health centers and community agencies. Some 14,000 state residents are known to be living with HIV/AIDS, and health officials estimate that another South Carolin
NEBRASKA: County's STD Rates Down Slightly, but Still High: Omaha World-Herald (11.17.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; Michael O'Connor; The latest data show that STD rates declined slightly last year in Douglas County but remained above national averages. The county s chlamydia rate dropped from 553.5 cases per 100,000 to 542.6 last year. The national prevalence rate for chlamydia is 401.3 cases per 100,000. The county s gonorrhea rate fell from 185.1
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Churches 'Silent' on AIDS: Washington Times (11.13.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; Joseph Young; At a recent HIV/AIDS symposium for District of Columbia faith leaders, the featured speaker criticized clergy members and the federal government as being silent for too long about the epidemic. On Nov. 7 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the D.C. Department of Health sponsored the gathering to discuss HIV/
UNITED STATES: Common Cold Virus May Have Foiled HIV Vaccine Test: Associated Press (11.16.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; Randolph E. Schmid; A common cold virus used in an experimental HIV vaccine may have been an inappropriate vehicle for stimulating immune cells to fight HIV, a new study suggests. In 2007, researchers halted the STEP trial after it appeared that volunteers who received Merck & Co. s vaccine candidate were more likely to later contract
THAILAND: No Promotion for HIV/AIDS Workers: Study: The Nation (Bangkok) (11.17.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; Thai employers attitudes toward workers with HIV/AIDS have improved in the past decade, a new study suggests. However, these employees still remain less likely to be promoted. Employers reason that if an employee living with HIV/AIDS is promoted, they have to shoulder more responsibilities and this could cause their he
CANADA; UNITED STATES: Sex-Ed Goes Thumbs-First with Text Services: Edmonton Journal (11.17.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; Laura Stone; Canwest News Service; Toronto s new text-messaging program, TOHealth, is one among many initiatives that use texting- and Web-based services to provide sexual health information to teens. On the Web, Seattle-based Scarleteen.com recently began a texting service for its 10,000 US visitors a day, and there are tentative plans to make it avail
GLOBAL: US AIDS Program Undaunted by Recession, Head Says: Associated Press (11.18.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; Donna Bryson; The global recession is a concern but does not threaten the Obama administration s commitment to the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), US officials said Wednesday. Both the president and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton have assured that PEPFAR remains one of the highest priorities, said Eri
TEXAS: Texas Sex Educators Take Tentative Steps Beyond Abstinence: Dallas Morning News (11.09.09) - Thursday, November 19, 2009; Jessica Meyers; The combination of funding cuts, changes in state law and Texas high teen pregnancy rate is leading some administrators to rethink the state s commitment to abstinence-only sex education. When you see the alarming percentage and numbers of kids pregnant vs. the national average, you start to wonder what everyone is doi
GEORGIA: Spelman Observes World AIDS Day: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (11.17.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Sheila M. Poole; Spelman College s Sisters Chapel will host a presentation Thursday by Mica Shaw, coordinator of Sister Soul, an AID Atlanta outreach targeting African-American women. Following Shaw s 11 a.m. talk, free HIV testing will be offered from 4 to 7 p.m. in Upper Manley. Wrapping up the day will be a dialogue in the dark, at
LAOS: First HIV Testing Center Opens in Vientiane: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (11.12.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Thanks to the recent opening of the Christophe Merieux Lao Center in Vientiane, doctors in Laos now can monitor locally the progress of patients being treated with HIV-fighting antiretrovirals. Previously, it was necessary to send patients blood samples to Thailand for testing, a
GLOBAL: Elton Fears Youths Complacent About HIV: Advocate (11.17.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Christopher Mangum; During an appearance at his foundation s annual fundraiser in New York City on Monday, Sir Elton John said he worries that young people are not taking seriously the threat of HIV infection. We are finding that too many young people are not listening to what we are saying, he told BBC Radio 1 s Newsbeat. I m afraid peop
PENNSYLVANIA: Filling Need for Needles: Intelligencer Journal/New Era (Lancaster) (11.13.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Jeff Hawkes; Since 1998, businessman Robert E. Field has personally financed Lancaster s needle exchange program, which operates on $50,000 annually. But after December, Field said he will end the funding arrangement and seek support for the NEP from the wider community. The state Pharmacy Board s September move to allow over-the-c
MISSOURI: St. Louis No Longer Is Number 1 in 2 STDs: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (11.17.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Blythe Bernhard; St. Louis ranked second-highest in the number of reported cases of gonorrhea and chlamydia per 100,000 population last year, compared to other US cities and counties, a new CDC report shows. For the past two years, the city ranked first for both diseases, and it ranked in the top five for the last decade. In 2008, the
UNITED STATES: We Never Thought This Would Happen: Transitioning Care of Adolescents with Perinatally Acquired HIV Infection from Pediatrics to Internal Medicine: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 10: P. 1222-1229 (10..09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Tara Vijayan; Andrea L. Benin; Krystn Wagner; Sostena Romano; Warren A. Andiman; Thanks to life-extending therapies, transitioning the medical care of children with perinatally acquired HIV from pediatric care to internal medicine practices has become increasingly important, the authors noted. Their work in the current study aims to describe challenges to caring for these adolescents and the potent
CANADA: Tenants Enjoy Life Without Labels: Toronto Star (11.16.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Noor Javed; A 112-unit complex on Sherbourne Street is the first in Toronto to be built to meet the housing needs of two unrelated groups: senior citizens and people living with HIV/AIDS. It s not about creating little boxes with labels on them, saying that if you have this particular need, you have to go in this particular box,
CANADA: First Nations Women's Conference Reveals 'Hidden Epidemic' of HIV: Ottawa Citizen (11.16.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Jana G. Pruden; Aboriginal women of Canada are recognizing the hidden epidemic of HIV and AIDS in their midst. I m seeing women who are leaders in our community, women who are living with this virus step up and say, That s enough now. We have a voice, and our voice needs to be heard, said Margaret Akan, head of the All Nations Hope AI
UNITED STATES: Immigrant Seekers Won't Have to Get HPV Vaccine: Associated Press (11.16.09) - Wednesday, November 18, 2009; Anabelle Garay; Effective Dec. 14, immigrant females ages 11-26 will no longer be required to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV) to become legal permanent US residents. Since July 2008, these women and girls had to obtain at least the first dose of the vaccine before their immigration status could be changed. However, CD
IDAHO: Southeastern District Health Department to Celebrate World AIDS Day: Idaho State Journal (Pocatello) (11.16.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; To commemorate World AIDS Day, the HIV/AIDS Regional Planning Council will present an event on Dec. 1 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the First Congregational United Church of Christ, 309 Garfield Ave., Pocatello. The evening will include screenings of personal videos created by young adults living with HIV, which were produced
EUROPEAN UNION: Female Health Co. Gets Patent on Improved Condom for Women: Chicago Daily Herald (11.16.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; Bloomberg News; In a statement issued Nov. 12, Chicago-based Female Health Co. reported it has received a European patent on FC2, its second- generation female condom. The improved product was approved Oct. 1 by the US Food and Drug Administration. The company said its patent applications are pending in the United States and
AUSTRALIA: Patients to Be Tested After Hospital HIV Scare: Australian Associated Press (11.16.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; David Barbeler; Officials at Bundaberg Hospital in southern Queensland are recommending blood tests for 274 people treated between Nov. 6 and 13 at the facility s dental clinic. Authorities discovered that one batch of dental instruments cleaned on Nov. 6 was not subjected to the final steam sterilization process, so patients treated
CALIFORNIA: HIVers Needed for Flu Remedy Study: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.12.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; HIV-positive Bay Area residents who have influenza can apply to enroll in a study of a new triple combination antiviral drug (TCAD) against the seasonal infection, researchers told a Nov. 10 San Francisco forum on flu and HIV/AIDS. Persons who call the Flu Hotline, set up by Quest Clinical Studies and Conant Medical Gr
ZAMBIA: Multiple Sex Partners and Perceived Risk of HIV Infection in Zambia: Attitudinal Determinants and Gender Differences: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 10: P. 1211-1221 (10..09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; Mai Do; Dominique Meekers; The authors introduced their study by noting, While there is much attention on perceived risk of HIV and subsequent cautionary behavior, evidence of the reciprocity of the relationship between recent risky sexual behavior and perceived risks of HIV infection remains scarce. Their research tests the hypothesis that havi
UNITED KINGDOM: National Health Service Missed Target on Sex Disease Tests - Watchdog: The Guardian (London) (11.12.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; Denis Campbell; Six years after the launch of Britain s National Chlamydia Screening Program, only half of local primary care trusts (PCTs) have reached a testing rate projected to reduce the STD s prevalence, a new report suggests. To have a significant impact on chlamydia requires overall testing levels of 26 percent or above, said
GLOBAL: Global Fund Approves $2.4 Billion to Fight AIDS, TB, Malaria: Voice of America News (11.15.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; Peter Heinlein; At their meeting last week, the directors of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria approved its second-largest round of grants to fight the diseases. Recommended funding totaled $2.4 billion over two years, $350 million less than last year s $2.75 billion, which was approved before the global economic downturn.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. AIDS Office Ordered to Answer HUD: Washington Post (11.17.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; Darryl Fears; D.C. Council member David Catania (I-At Large) on Monday gave city health officials 24 hours to gather AIDS spending documentation sought by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. Since June, HUD has been requesting a program audit and other information from the city s HIV/AIDS Administration (HAA). L
UNITED STATES: Sex Infections Still Growing in US, Says CDC: Reuters (11.16.09) - Tuesday, November 17, 2009; Common STDs in the United States are at unacceptably high levels, a CDC official said Monday in announcing the latest statistics on chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. We have among the highest rates of STDs of any developed country in the world, said Dr. John Douglas, director of CDC s Division of STD Prevention.
FLORIDA: Tests Find No New Active TB Cases at School: St. Petersburg Times (11.13.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; TB testing of about 300 students and staff at Plant City High School, undertaken after one student was found to have an active case, has identified no one else with the active form of the disease. Eight persons were found to carry the latent form of the disease, which was well under what we actually expected, said Stev
DELAWARE: Officials to Check Possible Spread of TB by Homeless Man: News Journal (Wilmington) (11.14.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; Hiran Ratnayake; A homeless man who had been staying in the Wilmington area has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, prompting Delaware Division of Public Health workers to launch an investigation. We are advised by CDC to test close contacts, for example, persons sleeping in the same room as the infected person, said Heidi Truschel-Light
CALIFORNIA: Hanford HIV Clinic Open Until July: Fresno Bee (11.10.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; Lewis Griswold; Hanford s HIV clinic has been saved for the time being from closure, after Kings County tapped reserve funding to backfill some state cuts. The news will be welcomed by the 40 patients who would otherwise have had to travel to Fresno for treatment, said Dr. Annie Wong, who runs the clinic. Some are too poor for the tra
CALIFORNIA: Lack of Money Shutters Salinas HIV/AIDS Center: The Herald (Monterey County, California) (11.09.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; Laith Agha; State budget cuts have forced Central Coast HIV/AIDS Services Salinas to shut its drop-in center, a field office that provided needle exchange, condoms, and STD screening. The center was strategically located near Chinatown, and many of its clients were homeless, addicts or sex workers. CCHAS maintains an office on Bal
UNITED STATES: School-Based Condom Education and Its Relations with Diagnoses of and Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Men in the United States: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 12: P. 2180- 2182 (12..09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; Brian Dodge, PhD; Michael Reece, PhD, MPH; Debbie Herbenick, PhD, MPH; The study s authors note that potential associations between school-based condom education and sexual health outcomes, including STD diagnoses, are not well understood. In the current study, sexually active men over age 18 were asked whether they had been tested for and diagnosed with any of six commonly reported STDs
KENYA: In Fight Against AIDS, Kenya Confronts Gay Taboo: Time (11.07.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; Nick Wadhams; Kenya s upcoming census of those at risk for HIV represents an opportunity to soften the country s long-standing stigma against homosexuality, say advocates and public health officials. As a country and as an African culture, we live in full denial of the existence of homosexuality, said James Kamau, national coordinat
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA; NEW YORK: Study in D.C. to Test Whether HIV Treatment Can Prevent Spread: Washington Post (11.13.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; Darryl Fears; A controversial strategy to eradicate HIV with aggressive treatment of those already infected is being tested in Washington. The purpose is to get the level [of HIV in the blood] down so that people will not infect anyone because their viral load is so low, said Anthony S. Fauci, director of the National Institute of A
UNITED STATES: AIDS Patients to President: Send More Money South: Associated Press (11.16.09) - Monday, November 16, 2009; Shelia Byrd; Southern states are hard-hit by the AIDS epidemic and short- changed in federal funds to address the crisis, say area activists. They want to get their message across on Monday to Jeffrey S. Crowley, director of the White House s Office of National AIDS Policy, during a Jackson, Miss., discussion on national AIDS prior
CALIFORNIA: HIV-Poz Group Holds 10-Year Reunion: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.12.09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; Cynthia Laird; Stop AIDS Project s Positive Living for Us Seminar (PLUS) is holding a 10-year reunion and awards ceremony at 6 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, at the Swedish American Hall, 2174 Market St., San Francisco. PLUS is a weekend retreat that provides education and emotional support. I think the program is incredible; it was a gods
GERMANY: Nobel Laureates Honor Annie Lennox: Agence France Presse (11.11.09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; In Berlin Tuesday at a summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, former Eurhythmics singer Annie Lennox received the 2009 Woman of Peace award in recognition of her work to fight HIV/AIDS. Since 2003, Lennox s SING campaign has raised $2 million to build awareness of the disease s impact on women and children. SING works in con
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Clergy Seek Answers to D.C. AIDS Crisis: Washington Informer (11.12.09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; Denise Rolark Barnes; The City Council recently met with area faith leaders, physicians, and health advocates in a discussion about the District of Columbia s HIV/AIDS rate and how to work collaboratively to reduce it. At the time we took over the committee four years ago, there hadn t been a hearing held about HIV/AIDS in two years, said D
UNITED STATES: The NYC Condom: Use and Acceptability of New York City's Branded Condom: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 12: P. 2178- 2180 (12..09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; Ryan C. Burke, MPH; Juliet Wilson, MSc; Kyle T. Bernstein, PhD, MPH; Nicholas Grosskopf, EdD, CHES; Christopher Murrill, PhD, MPH; Blayne Cutler, MD, PhD; Monica Sweeney, MD; Elizabeth M. Begier, MD, MPH; In a high-profile media campaign launched on Feb. 14, 2007, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) introduced the NYC Condom. This male condom - a standard-size, lubricated Lifestyles brand - was the first specially packaged condom unique to a municipality. The department distributed 5 millio
SOUTH AFRICA: Push for Routine Offers of HIV Tests: Business Day (South Africa) (11.11.09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; Tamar Kahn; In yet another break with the policies of the previous administration, South Africa s health minister is asking doctors and nurses to take the initiative and routinely suggest HIV tests to their patients. Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi also is leading a government effort to increase the acceptance of voluntary HIV te
CALIFORNIA: Keeping It Safe After the Clothes Come Off: ABC News (11.05.09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; Lisa Ling; Arash Ghadishah; Former adult-film performer Darren James, whose 2004 HIV diagnosis shut down California s porn industry for one month, is now part of a campaign to require the use of condoms on production sets to decrease the risk of infections. James said he does not know specifically how he acquired the virus, but he does know he un
UNITED STATES: Black Churches Tackle Poverty, HIV; Activists from Across Country Meet to Map Out Strategies: Chicago Tribune (11.13.09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; Lolly Bowean; US black church leaders met recently in suburban Chicago to discuss how their ministries can help fight HIV/AIDS. We are Christians because we endeavor to be like Jesus. It is mandated that we minister to the sick. HIV and AIDS is no exception, said Tanya Bender Henderson, an educator from Mt. Jezreel Baptist Church in
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Housing and Urban Development Threatens to Cut Off D.C. AIDS Funding Next Year: Washington Post (11.12.09) - Friday, November 13, 2009; Debbie Cenziper; Federal housing authorities are threatening to withhold from the District of Columbia $12.2 million in assistance for people with HIV/AIDS next year unless city health officials comply with requests for improved oversight. In a recent series of reports, the Washington Post found the District s HIV/AIDS Administration (
CANADA: AIDS Researchers in Winnipeg to Brainstorm on New Ways to Fight Disease: Canadian Press (11.11.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; Winnipeg Sun; More than 75 leading HIV/AIDS researchers from around the world are heading to Winnipeg for a symposium that will seek to strengthen existing ties between researchers and speed the development of a viable vaccine for HIV/AIDS, said Heather Medwick, acting president of the Winnipeg-based International Center for Infecti
IRAN: Recorded AIDS Deaths in Iran Top 3,400: Report: Agence France Presse (11.12.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; Quoting health ministry figures, the ILNA News Agency said today that Iran has recorded at least 3,409 deaths from AIDS, and another 2,097 people have been diagnosed with the disease. To date, 20,130 people, of whom 93 percent are men, have been diagnosed with HIV. Blaming a shortage of testing facilities and the fear
THE NETHERLANDS: Dutch Law Forces Rapists to Undergo HIV Test: Agence France Presse (11.10.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; The Dutch parliament on Tuesday gave final approval to a law under which prosecutors can compel suspected rapists to undergo blood testing. This can then be used to determine whether the suspect is a carrier of [HIV] or of other serious infectious diseases like hepatitis B or C, which can be transferred to a victim in
ILLINOIS: Clinton Says Reform Vital to Homeless with HIV: Chicago Tribune (11.12.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; Angie Leventis Lourgos; The crisis in health care is responsible for much of the homelessness among persons with HIV, former President Bill Clinton told advocates at a speech Wednesday in Chicago. The event raised an estimated $400,000 for its sponsor, the Chicago House and Social Service Agency, which provides housing and other services to p
CALIFORNIA: HIV Study Calls for Volunteers with Dark Hair: San Francisco Chronicle (11.05.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; Victoria Colliver; An upcoming San Francisco-based study will attempt to use samples of participants hair as a tool for gauging HIV treatment adherence. In the Strand Study, researchers from the city Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and University of California-San Francisco (UCSF) will test people s hair to measure both treatment com
NEW YORK: An Armada to Fight AIDS in Rochester: City Newspaper (Rochester) (11.11.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; Tim Louis Macaluso; Nearly two-dozen Rochester health, social service, and faith organizations have joined in a campaign to raise HIV/AIDS awareness and fight the disease among Latinos and African Americans. On Nov. 21, the coalition will launch its efforts with Hope Takes Action: A Road to Victory for Rochester, a community gathering wit
UNITED STATES: 1 in 12 Truckers Has Hepatitis C: Albuquerque Journal (10.28.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; Olivier Uyttebrouck; In a 2004-2006 study of long-distance truckers in New Mexico, state Department of Health researchers found that 8.5 percent had hepatitis C, most likely due to IV drug use. Many did not know about their HCV infection, and most had not injected drugs in years or decades. Of 652 drivers who were approached at truck stops
UGANDA: Uganda Renews Media Strategy in HIV/AIDS Fight as Infection Rate Soars: Xinhua News Agency (11.11.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; On Tuesday, a Ugandan AIDS official said the government will concentrate more on promoting HIV prevention messages in collaboration with media outlets. The country must refocus on prevention because of the increasing number of new HIV infections, Kihumuro Apuuli, the director-general of Uganda s AIDS Commission, told m
UNITED STATES: Provision in a Bill Aimed at Helping Needle Exchanges Would Hurt Most of Them: New York Times (11.11.09) - Thursday, November 12, 2009; Katie Zezima; Congress is considering a bill that appears to boost needle- exchange efforts but would in fact pose a huge challenge to most of them, advocates say. The proposed legislation would end a 20-year-ban on using federal funding for needle-exchange programs but prohibit federally funded NEPs within 1,000 feet of where child
WASHINGTON: HIV/AIDS Curriculum Preview Set in Richland: Tri-City Herald (Tri-Cities) (11.10.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Parents of fifth-grade students in Richland School District will have the opportunity to preview videos dealing with HIV/AIDS prevention and human growth and development at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Chief Joseph Middle School, 504 Wilson St. State law requires that HIV/AIDS instruction be presented to students in grades five
MICHIGAN: White House to Hold Meeting on Development of HIV/AIDS Strategy in Ferndale: Michigan Messenger (11.09.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Todd A. Heywood; On Nov. 18, the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) will host a meeting in Ferndale to seek community input into the development of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS). The specific goals of NHAS will be to reduce HIV incidence, increase access to care and optimize health outcomes, and reduce HIV-relate
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa's Death Rate Doubled in a Decade: Health Minister: Agence France Presse (11.10.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; In a move that highlights the sharp break President Jacob Zuma has made with the HIV/AIDS policies of his predecessor, South Africa s health minister on Tuesday reported mortality figures he characterized as shocking. In 11 years, from 1997 to 2008, the rate of death has doubled in South Africa, Aaron Motsoaledi said i
TENNESSEE: Knox Middle Schoolers Report Risky Behaviors: Knoxville News-Sentinel (11.09.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Kristi L. Nelson; At the recent quarterly meeting of the Knox County School Health Advisory Council, the county s director of Community Assessment and Health Promotion presented results from the 2008 Knox County Middle School Youth Risk Behavior Survey. I don t like hearing some of the things I am going to tell you, said Dr. Kathy Brown
UNITED STATES: Availability of HIV-Related Health Services in Adolescent Substance Abuse Treatment Programs: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 10: P. 1238-1246 (10.09.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; H.K. Knudsen; C.B. Oser; Because alcohol and drug abuse heightens adolescents risk of becoming infected with HIV, substance abuse treatment programs for youths may represent an important site of HIV prevention, the authors wrote. In the current study, they explored the adoption of three HIV-related health services: risk assessment during intak
UNITED KINGDOM: Rise in Reported Cases of Women Committing Child Sex Abuse: Agence France Presse (11.09.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Calls to a UK-based child abuse hotline have more than doubled over the last five years, and the number of children reporting abuse by a woman has grown dramatically, the charity said on Monday. In the past year, 6,000 children reported sexual abuse by a male to Childline, a telephone- and Web-based service of the Nati
SOUTH AFRICA: Victory for Soldiers Living with HIV: Business Day (South Africa) (11.09.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Wilson Johwa; Last week, South Africa s Cabinet approved a new policy that will allow the national defense force (SANDF) to selectively recruit and deploy soldiers who are HIV-positive. The move follows a high court decision last year that declared SANDF s old policy unconstitutional. A court order gave the government and AIDS advoc
UNITED STATES: US Officials Begin Push Against Human Trafficking: Associated Press (11.09.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Russell Contreras; Protecting the estimated 17,500 victims of human trafficking who travel through the nation each year is the goal of a new public awareness campaign by US immigration officials. Most victims are lured to the United States with promises of lucrative jobs but instead find themselves in the commercial sex trade or other fo
TENNESSEE: HIV/AIDS Program Has Wait: Knoxville News-Sentinel (11.09.09) - Wednesday, November 11, 2009; Associated Press; Tennessee s AIDS Drug Assistance Program has begun placing prospective new enrollees on a waiting list for the first time since its inception in the early 1990s, state health officials say. The state s ADAP has reached its capacity - both because unemployment has pressured more patients to seek its assistance, and stat
FLORIDA: Plant City High Students Tested for TB: ABCactionnews.com (Tampa) (11.10.09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Linda Hurtado; Today at Plant City High School, about 300 of the facility s 2,100 students underwent testing for tuberculosis. The testing was prompted by one student s diagnosis with TB; that person is now under a doctor s treatment at home. Only students and employees who had been in direct contact with the ailing student were bein
UGANDA: Rights Group Leery of Uganda AIDS Test Law: United Press International (11.06.09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Uganda risks undoing a decade of progress against AIDS if its government passes a new HIV testing bill under consideration, Human Rights Watch said Friday. HRW said the measure would mandate HIV testing but would not protect against discrimination or preserve patients confidentiality. Though the testing provision tar
CALIFORNIA: Shanti Marks 35 Years of Caring: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.05.09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; Founded in 1974 to provide emotional and practical support to cancer patients, Shanti s model of care left it well- positioned to respond in the 1980s when AIDS began devastating the Bay Area s gay male population. Today Shanti, whose name is Sanskrit for inner peace or tranquility, still trains volunteers to care for
UNITED STATES: Economic Burden of Sexually Transmitted Infections: Incidence and Direct Medical Cost of Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis Among Illinois Adolescents and Young Adults, 2005-2006: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 36; No. 10: 629-636 (10..09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Elizabeth Pultorak; William Wong; Charles Rabins; Supriya D. Mehta; The estimated incidence and direct medical costs of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among Illinois residents ages 15 to 24 are substantial, the authors noted, adding that local assessment of the magnitude and economic burdens of STIs can aid in targeting resources and prevention programs. Illinois Department of
AUSTRALIA: Older Also Say They Practice Unsafe Sex: The Age (Melbourne) (11.10.09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Danny Rose; Many Australians who report having unprotected sex do not get tested for STDs, according to a study released Monday to mark Sexual Health Week. Of more than 1,000 sexually active Australians ages 18-40 polled last month, 93.1 percent said they had sex at least once without a condom, including 47.5 percent who were ages
UNITED KINGDOM; UNITED STATES: ViiV Vows Joint Venture Will Help Fight HIV: Financial Times (11.03.09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Andrew Jack; On Nov. 3, drug makers Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline officially launched their joint HIV venture, a company called ViiV Healthcare. Some observers hail the effort as a way of sharing the business risks and costs of drug development. Others are wary it may precede a complete withdrawal from a HIV drug market under pricing
GLOBAL: WHO: AIDS Leading Cause of Death, Disease in Women: Associated Press (11.09.09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Bradley S. Klapper; According to the World Health Organization s new report, Women and Health: Today s Evidence Tomorrow s Agenda, HIV is the leading cause of death and disease among women ages 15 to 45. The other two major killers of these women are pregnancy- related conditions and tuberculosis, says the report released by WHO Monday in
UNITED STATES: Findings Inconclusive on Teaching Abstinence: Washington Post (11.07.09) - Tuesday, November 10, 2009; Rob Stein; Comprehensive risk-reduction programs to prevent or reduce pregnancy, HIV, and other STDs have sufficient evidence of their efficacy, and such sex education programs can benefit public health, a non-federal panel of health experts concluded in a new report. However, a similar review for abstinence education interventio
CHINA: China Police Hunt for 2 Million Unsafe Condoms: Report: Agence France Presse (11.09.09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; The state-run China Youth Daily reports that police in Hunan province have shuttered a factory producing fake, nonsterile condoms and are now trying to track down more than 2 million that have been shipped. Police say the suspect, Li Anping, bought the condoms wholesale, added an unknown lubricant and packaged them wit
TENNESSEE: HIV/AIDS Rate Prompts Visit: Commercial Appeal (Memphis) (11.05.09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; Tom Charlier; Shelby County is home to less than 15 percent of the state s residents but almost 40 percent of its 14,000-plus HIV/AIDS patients, a fact that drew a visit Wednesday from the Department of Health and Human Services assistant secretary for health. This is a completely preventable epidemic, Dr. Howard K. Koh said prior t
CALIFORNIA: Monterey County HIV, AIDS Groups to Merge: Salinas Californian (11.04.09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; Kimber Solana; To save money and become more efficient, two Monterey County HIV/AIDS groups have announced plans to join forces. We saw the writings on the wall, said Tom Melville, a spokesperson for John XXIII HIV/AIDS Services. The organization will combine with the Monterey County AIDS Project (MCAP) to become Central Coast HIV/AI
CALIFORNIA: San Francisco Syphilis Rates Flatline: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.05.09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; The re-introduction of the Healthy Penis educational campaign is being credited in part with a leveling-off of syphilis rates in San Francisco. Syphilis cases in the city fell 20 percent from 2005 to 2007, but increased 55 percent - from 472 to 658 - between 2007 and 2008. The 473 cases seen in the first nine months of
UGANDA: Experience of Sexual Violence Among Women in HIV Discordant Unions After Voluntary HIV Counseling and Testing: A Qualitative Critical Incident Study in Uganda: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 11: P. 1363-1370 (11..09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; Donath Emusu; Nataliya Ivankova; Pauline Jolly; Russell Kirby; Herman Foushee; Fred Wabwire-Mangen; Drake Katongole; John Ehiri; The researchers investigated experiences of sexual violence among women in HIV discordant unions, relationships in which one partner is HIV-infected and the other is not, attending HIV post-test club services in Uganda . The qualitative critical incident technique was used to interview a volunteer sample of 26 women fr
SOUTH AFRICA: Health to Seek Extra Billions to Combat HIV/AIDS: Business Day (South Africa) (11.02.09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; Linda Ensor; South Africa s Department of Health is planning to request a boost in funding for HIV/AIDS treatment based on estimates of the number of people needing antiretroviral therapy, a senior health official said recently. The extra funds would be administered by DOH rather than through the provinces, said Kamy Chetty, the de
AUSTRALIA: Alarm on Surge in HIV Cases: The Age (Melbourne) (11.09.09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; Julia Medew; A federal advisory committee of infectious-disease experts is recommending that Australia re-invigorate its domestic HIV prevention efforts. The draft strategy advice is in response to what the committee said is a resurgent epidemic among gay men as well as to emerging epidemics among travelers to high- risk countries
UNITED STATES: Consumer Reports Puts 20 Condoms to the Test: ABC News (11.03.09) - Monday, November 09, 2009; Joseph Brownstein; In recent testing of 20 condom brands sold on the US market, all met minimum national and international performance standards, according to Consumer Union, the independent nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. Condoms are usually inflated with 17-18 liters of air in tests for breaking. All of them test at the standa
SOUTH AFRICA: AIDS Program May Be Reducing South Africa Deaths: Business Day (South Africa) (11.05.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; Tamar Kahn; New figures showing a slight decline in the number of deaths in South Africa might be a data problem, or might be good news, the Department of Health s deputy director-general for strategic health programs told Parliament on Wednesday. We hope at least part of it is the ARV [antiretroviral] program, Yogan Pillay said.
WISCONSIN: Assembly OKs Bill Requiring Teaching Birth Control: Associated Press (11.06.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; By a vote of 48 to 43, the Wisconsin Assembly on Thursday gave final approval to a bill that would require schools teaching sex education to include instruction on preventing pregnancy. The bill must pass the Senate before advancing to the desk of Gov. Jim Doyle.
UNITED STATES: Many Doctors Overuse Pap Testing: Survey: Reuters Health (11.02.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; Guidelines for Pap screening were substantially revised earlier this decade in response to research showing that low- risk women age 30 and older did not need annual testing. However, a new study suggests that many US primary care doctors recommend Pap screening more often than guidelines suggest. Researchers surveyed
UNITED KINGDOM: Sex Education to Be Compulsory for Pupils Aged 15 to 16 Even if Parents Object: The Guardian (London) (11.06.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; Jessica Shepherd; Changes set to take effect in September 2011 will make sex education class compulsory for children ages 15-16, even if their parents object. Parents will still have the right to withdraw children under age 15 from the classes. Currently, parents of youths up to age 19 can opt them out of sex education. About 0.04 perce
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Tries to Enlist Men in AIDS Battle: Agence France Presse (11.06.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; Charlotte Plantive; To more effectively get the HIV prevention message to men, South Africa is expanding its efforts beyond the nation s health centers, which traditionally are used predominately by women. There is nothing especially made for men. We need to do something to talk to men, said Mzi Lwana, head of the Men and AIDS program at
GLOBAL: Medical Aid Group Warns of Waning Support for AIDS Treatment Scale-Up: Voice of America News (11.05.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; Joe De Capua; In a new report, Doctors Without Borders (DWB) is warning of a major funding deficit and a looming crisis in AIDS funding. On Thursday in Johannesburg, South Africa , the report s author spoke about the problem. In 2005, leaders of the G-8 nations committed to supporting universal access to AIDS prevention, treatment,
UNITED STATES: AIDS Confab Highlights Progress, Needs in US: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (11.05.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; HIV/AIDS funding, treatment, care, and prevention were among topics discussed last week at the 2009 US Conference on AIDS in San Francisco. On Oct. 30, attendees applauded as they watched video of the White House ceremony in which President Barack Obama signed the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act and announce
INDIANA: In Indiana, Blacks Continue to Be at Higher Risk for HIV: Indianapolis Star (11.06.09) - Friday, November 06, 2009; Will Higgins; Indiana s health commissioner said Thursday that the state s African-American residents continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. It s a substantial increase, and it s an area of real concern to us, Judith Monroe said at a news conference. State figures show that blacks, who represent less than 10 percent
INDIANA: HIV Program Thursday to Feature Model-Actor Boris Kodjoe: Indianapolis Star (11.04.09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; Indiana s sixth annual HIV Statewide Awareness Program is being held Thursday in Indianapolis Madame Walker Theatre. The free event which seeks to encourage members of minority communities to learn more about AIDS and get tested for HIV; its sponsors include the State Department of Health, the Indiana Family and Social
AUSTRALIA: Australian Researchers Say Foreign Students Need Sex Education: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (11.05.09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; Responding to the findings of an Adelaide University survey of female students from China and Malaysia , Professor Nigel Stocks said Australia has a duty to provide better sex education for international students. The research found that most foreign students know little about how to prevent unwanted pr
TAIWAN: Intention to Obtain Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Among Taiwanese Undergraduate Women: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 36; No. 11: P. 686-692 (11..09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; Yu-Yun Hsu; Susan Jane Fetzer; Keng-Fu Hsu; Yuan-Yuan Chang; Chih-Pyng Huang; Cheng-Yang Chou; In the current study, the researchers set out to examine health beliefs and intention to obtain vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) among undergraduate women in Taiwan , and to investigate a predictive model of HPV vaccination intention. At five universities in South Taiwan, a convenience sample of 845 f
SOUTH AFRICA: Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among Community and Clinical Settings in Cape Town, South Africa: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 411-415 (10..09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; S.C. Kalichman; L.C. Simbayi; D. Cain; S. Joosete; While anal intercourse is known to be an efficient route of HIV transmission and may play a role in Southern Africa s HIV epidemics, the authors note there are little data on the anal sex practices of heterosexuals in South Africa . The researchers used anonymous surveys to collect data from convenience samples of 2,59
AFRICA: To Battle HIV, Go for Public Tests, Resolve Clergymen: Daily Nation (Kampala, Uganda) (11.02.09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; Religious leaders in Africa are banding together publicly to urge HIV testing as a way to control the spread of the virus. In Africa, we don t talk about sex, we practice it, Hannu Happonen said at a Nairobi, Kenya , meeting of Churches United Against HIV and AIDS in Eastern and Southern Africa. However, it is time we
KENYA: Drug Use at Record Levels Leads to AIDS Outbreak: Inter Press Service (10.21.09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; Susan Anyangu; Unprecedented levels of drug use in Kenya are driving the spread of HIV there, experts say. The challenge here is passing HIV risk-reduction messages to drug and alcohol addicts as well as advising those who test positive to seek help in terms of care, said Masudi Omar of the drug addiction treatment facility Reachout
CHINA: China's Economy Powering Syphilis Spread: Reuters (11.03.09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; Laura MacInnis; China is experiencing a resurgence of syphilis cases, a senior health official said. The country had nearly eradicated the STD in the 1960s through a campaign of propaganda, mass screening, closing brothels, and providing free treatment for sex workers, Xiang-Sheng Chen, deputy director for STD control at China s Cen
KENTUCKY: Kentucky AIDS Aid Lacking: Lexington Herald-Leader (11.01.09) - Thursday, November 05, 2009; John Cheves; Since June, almost 100 people have been placed on a waiting list for Kentucky s AIDS Drug Assistance Program - the longest line for ADAP enrollment in the nation. As people lose jobs and insurance during the recession, demand for the program s assistance has exceeded its capacity, said Sigga Jagne, Kentucky s HIV/AIDS
ILLINOIS: Educators, Others Learn About HIV: Windy City Times (Chicago) (10.28.09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Byron Flitsch; Educators, program facilitators, and others were among those taking part in a recent forum, HIV: Hey, It s Viral! hosted by United Way of Metropolitan Chicago. A key topic of discussion was the need for city schools to implement a modernized sex education curriculum. The meeting included a screening of a 20-minute docu
WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Assembly Takes Up Birth Control Education: Associated Press (11.04.09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Scott Bauer; The Wisconsin Assembly on Tuesday gave preliminary approval to a bill that would require schools teaching sex education to present instruction on preventing unplanned pregnancies and STDs. According to the Department of Public Instruction, nearly all schools in the state offer at least one type of sex education class b
UNITED STATES: Costs and Effectiveness of Partner Counseling and Referral Services with Rapid Testing for HIV in Colorado and Louisiana, United States: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 36; No. 10: P. 637-641 (10..09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Ram K. Shrestha; Elin B. Begley; Angela B. Hutchinson; Stephanie L. Sansom; Binwei Song; Kelly Voorhees; Amy Busby; Jack Carrel; Samuel Burgess; The researchers assessed the costs and effectiveness of partner counseling and referral services (PCRS) with rapid HIV testing in Colorado and Louisiana between April 2004 and January 2006. In Colorado, PCRS is provided to index patients and partners statewide. In Louisiana, PCRS is provided to those in Baton Rouge and
UNITED STATES: Implementation of and Barriers to Routine HIV Screening for Adolescents: Pediatrics Vol. 124; No. 4: P. 1076-1084 (10..09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Timothy D. Minniear, MD; Barry Gilmore, MD; Sandra R. Arnold, MD; Patricia M. Flynn, MD; Katherine M. Knapp, MD; Aditya H. Gaur, MD; In the current study, researchers developed and implemented a process to facilitate routine HIV screening among adolescents ages 13-18 in a large urban pediatric emergency department (ED). The authors surveyed health care providers about their knowledge and beliefs about HIV, and they developed a protocol for free, opt
SOUTH AFRICA: Harnessing World Cup to Change Children's Lives: Reuters (10.28.09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Alongside next year s World Cup, the Football for Hope festival will be training children and teens in South Africa how to play soccer, and how to avoid HIV/AIDS. More than 30 organizations chosen for their success in addressing social issues will take part in FFH, which was launched by soccer s ruling body FIFA and st
SWAZILAND: Swaziland Battles Twin Plagues of HIV, TB: Agence France Presse (10.30.09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Tabelo Timse; The companion scourges of TB and HIV have so devastated the population of Swaziland that they threaten to destabilize the nation, participants at a recent three-day local conference on the epidemics learned. This double epidemic of HIV and TB means that life expectancy has fallen to under 32 years in Swaziland, said A
GLOBAL: Non-Governmental Organizations Praise End to HIV Travel Ban: Inter Press Service (10.30.09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Jim Lobe; Domestically and abroad, health advocates are applauding the Obama administration s repeal of the policy banning non- nationals with HIV from visiting or immigrating to the United States . On Friday, Obama announced that the final rule ending the 22-year-old restriction would be published on Monday, and that it would g
UNITED STATES: With Highest Rate of Cases, Navy Sees HIV Infections Rise: Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) (11.02.09) - Wednesday, November 04, 2009; Kate Wiltrout; Last year, the Navy, whose HIV rate was already higher than that of any other branch of the US military, made 36 HIV diagnoses per 100,000 sailors tested. This was more than double the Navy s 1999 rate. Officials are not sure why the figure has risen, but they do know that most infected sailors acquired HIV through unp
AUSTRALIA: Health Chief Sounds Tomato Warning: Australian Associated Press (11.02.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; Reacting to the news that 23 cases of hepatitis A were diagnosed in the previous week, health authorities in Victoria have renewed their warnings about eating semi-dried tomatoes. More than two-thirds of those recently diagnosed reported having eaten the tomatoes, said Dr. John Carnie, the state s chief medical officer
TENNESSEE: State AIDS Drug Assistance Reaches Enrollment Capacity: Memphis Daily News (11.03.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; Tom Wilemon; The state AIDS Drug Assistance Program has reached its enrollment capacity, the Tennessee Department of Health announced Monday. Going forward, new patients seeking ADAP s assistance will be put on a waiting list. Persons on the waiting list will receive help accessing HIV drugs through patient assistance programs spon
NORTH CAROLINA: STD Rates Increase in Iredell: McDowell News (Marion) (10.29.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; Bethany Fuller; North Carolina counties are reporting modest increases in HIV but more dramatic jumps in other STDs. Syphilis cases in Mecklenburg, Forsyth, Wake, and Wayne counties are at least twice the number they were at this time last year, according to the North Carolina HIV/STD Quarterly Surveillance Report: Vol. 2009, No. 3.
UNITED STATES: Study Links Girls' Body Size to Sexual Behavior: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (10.31.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; David Templeton; Sexually active high school girls who were either overweight or who believed they were, as well as girls who were underweight, tended to use condoms less than girls of normal weight in a new study. Race and ethnicity played a role in the relationships between body and sexual behavior, though how exactly is not clear, a
INDIA: Uproar Against Changes to HIV Bill: The Telegraph (Kolkata) (10.26.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; HIV/AIDS advocates are protesting changes made to an anti- discrimination bill, saying officials with the Ministry of Law and Justice have stripped away many crucial protections. The law ministry has gone beyond its mandate and deleted substantive provisions - the work of the law ministry was only to check whether the
GLOBAL: Experts Warn of Drastic AIDS Funding Shortfall: Agence France Presse (11.03.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; When the global AIDS pandemic hits its 50th year, annual spending needed to fight the disease in developing countries could reach $35 billion, three times the current level, according to a new study. At the same time, more than 1 million people could be newly infected each year, estimated researchers for the AIDS 2031
UTAH: The Birds, the Bees and the Basics: Salt Lake Tribune (10.28.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; Lisa Schencker; In the midst of a political debate on teaching sex education in schools, the Utah PTA has launched a program to help parents take on the job themselves. The curriculum, using materials from the Department of Health and Human Services Parents Speak Up campaign, targets adults who will then instruct parents on the finer
UNITED STATES: US Lawmakers Push to Ramp Up Hepatitis Battle: Agence France Presse (11.02.09) - Tuesday, November 03, 2009; A bill introduced Thursday in the US House of Representatives would increase federal spending to prevent and treat hepatitis B and C. The diseases disproportionately affect Asian- Americans, and Asian-American lawmakers are pushing the new legislation. HR 3974, whose short title is the Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer
CALIFORNIA: Scaring Up Some Funds at AIDS Walk: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (10.01.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; Aldrich M. Tan; The Desert AIDS Project s 22nd annual AIDS Walk on Saturday attracted more than 850 people, some of whom took part wearing Halloween costumes. This event is important not only for the funds that it raises, said Barry Dayton, DAP s spokesperson, but also as proof of the critical mass of people that support HIV/AIDS serv
UNITED STATES: 'Runway' Star Brings Education Idea to San Francisco: San Jose Mercury News (10.31.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; In San Francisco Saturday at the United States Conference on AIDS, Jack Mackenroth of the TV series Project Runway was presenting information on Living Positive by Design, his HIV/AIDS education initiative. Through Living Positive by Design, I hope to highlight the importance for people living with HIV to have a positi
UNITED NATIONS: UN Urges Nations to Follow Obama's Lead, Lift HIV Travel Ban: Agence France Presse (11.01.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; President Barack Obama s announcement that he would overturn the 22-year-old policy banning non-nationals with HIV from entering the United States drew high praise from the leader of the UN. In a statement released by UNAIDS , Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon congratulated Obama on his decision and added, I urge all othe
ILLINOIS: Nurses Hit the Streets by Night: Chicago Tribune (10.21.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; Pam DeFiglio; The University of Illinois College of Nursing recently hosted a screening of Bevel Up: Drugs, Users and Outreach Nursing, a documentary film about how nurses deliver health care to people on the streets of Vancouver. About 50 nurses attended the screening in Chicago, including some who provide care on its streets. In
UGANDA: Size Matters When It Comes to AIDS Defense: Reuters (10.29.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; Male circumcision reduces female-to-male HIV transmission, and the current study examined whether the surface area of the foreskin is associated with HIV infection prior to circumcision. In Uganda , researchers enrolled 965 HIV-negative men for male circumcision trials and measured the surface area of the foreskin afte
UGANDA: France Joins US in Slamming Uganda's Draft Anti-Gay Law: Agence France Presse (11.02.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; US opponents of a draft law that strengthens Uganda s anti-gay legal code are attempting to enlist Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to their cause. The egregious bill represents one of the most extreme anti- equality measures ever proposed in any country, Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (D-Florida) and three other members o
SOUTH AFRICA: AIDS a Massive Threat - Zuma: Business Day (South Africa) (10.30.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; Wyndham Hartley; On Thursday, South African President Jacob Zuma emphatically acknowledged the serious nature of the country s HIV/AIDS epidemic. There is a danger that South Africa s annual mortality numbers will outstrip its birth figures, and if we do not respond with urgency and resolve, we may well find our vision of a thriving na
GLOBAL: Sex, Alcohol, Fat Among World's Big Killers: Reuters (10.28.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; Kate Kelland; About a quarter of the 60 million premature deaths globally each year are due to unsafe sex, poor childhood nutrition, alcohol, inadequate sanitation and hygiene, and high blood pressure, according to a new World Health Organization report. Global life expectancy could gain almost five years if these five problems were
UNITED STATES: Obama Lifts Ban on US Entry for Those with HIV: Associated Press (10.31.09) - Monday, November 02, 2009; Darlene Superville; The order to repeal the ban against HIV-positive people traveling and immigrating to the United States will be finalized on Monday, President Barack Obama has announced. The new rule lifting the restriction will be effective early next year, he said at the White House on Friday. If we want to be the global leader in co
NEW MEXICO: Scientists Use World's Fastest Supercomputer to Create the Largest HIV Evolutionary Tree: Science Daily (10.28.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; Researchers at the Los Alamos National Laboratory are using the ultimate supercomputer to analyze genetic sequences from more than 400 HIV-infected people to help find a vaccine against HIV/AIDS. The Roadrunner computer is being used to compare more than 100,000 sequences from both chronic and acute HIV patients in ord
ASIA: UN Official Calls for Decriminalizing Drug Use: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (10.27.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; A UN human rights official on Tuesday called for officials in Asia to decriminalize drug use and end mandatory drug rehabilitation camps. Compulsory detoxification camps in countries such as China , India , Malaysia , and Vietnam amount to keeping sick people jailed, An
UNITED STATES: End of Federal HIV Travel Ban 'Imminent': Southern Voice (Atlanta) (10.30.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; The Obama administration s change in rules to allow HIV- positive foreign nationals to enter the United States should be announced soon, according to Immigration Equality, an advocacy group for the LGBT/HIV-positive community. The repeal of the travel ban has moved from the Department of Health and Human Services to th
FLORIDA: Tampa's AIDS Agency Stretches to Meet Need: St. Petersburg Times (10.27.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; Justin George; On a shoestring budget in a tough economic climate, a 20-year- old AIDS service organization in Tampa has found a way to preserve its mission to help the area s HIV-positive people. Francis House provides food, medical services, prescription drugs, and even the occasional recreational outing. Eight staff members work o
UNITED KINGDOM: Young Women and Limits to the Normalization of Condom Use: A Qualitative Study: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 5: P. 561-566 (05..09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; Lisa M. Williamson; Katie Buston; Helen Sweeting; While encouraging condom use by young women is a major focus of HIV/STI prevention, the degree to which they see themselves as being at risk limits their use of this method, the authors wrote. In the current study, they examined the extent to which condom use has become normalized among young women. Twenty 20-year-old
KENYA: Kenya to Launch Homosexual Census: BBC (10.29.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; Kenya is planning to enumerate its gay population in an effort to fight HIV/AIDS, despite homosexual activity being illegal in the country, a senior health official said recently on BBC s Network Africa. Kenyan gays do not have needed information about HIV and how it is prevented, said Nicholas Muraguri, head of the
KENYA: Practical Measures Needed on Teen Sexual Education: Inter Press Service (Johannesburg) (10.27.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; Susan Anyangu; Many secondary school students in Kenya are already sexually experienced but lacking in sexual and reproductive health awareness, according to a recent survey. The Nairobi-based Center for the Study of Adolescents polled youths from four provinces in 2008. Of girls surveyed, 40 percent reported being sexually experienc
AFRICA: Health-Africa: Fresh Campaign Against Pediatric AIDS: Inter Press Service (10.22.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; Nalisha Kalideen; Though HIV-positive herself, Raloke Odetoyinbo was determined to bear a child that did not carry the virus. With the help of attentive medical care and antiretroviral medication, the Nigerian woman realized her dream and now works to extend that chance to others. The outlet for Odetoyinbo s effort is a new, three-year
NEW YORK; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Fighting HIV, a Community at a Time: New York Times (10.27.09) - Friday, October 30, 2009; Susan Okie; A study planned for the District of Columbia and the Bronx in New York City will determine the feasibility of offering nearly every adult in the community routine HIV testing, as well as prompt treatment for those infected. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is paying to study the test an
SOUTH CAROLINA: AIDS Walk-a-Thon Set for this Saturday: The Item (Sumter) (10.29.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; On Saturday, the Wateree AIDS Task Force will stage its sixth annual AIDS Walk-a-Thon in Sumter. Registration begins at 8 a.m. at the group s headquarters, 108-B E. Liberty St., and the walk commences at 9 a.m. Ramelle Coker, vice chair of WATF s board, said she hopes the walk will help publicize the organization s ser
LAOS: Laos Reports 3,395 Cases of HIV/AIDS, 960 Deaths: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (10.23.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; According to new statistics from the Center for HIV/AIDS/Sexually Transmitted Infections, Laos in recent years has recorded 3,395 HIV cases, of whom 2,180 have progressed to AIDS and 960 have died. Estimates suggest there are actually 8,000 HIV cases in the nation. The center also said that while the number of opium ad
EUROPEAN UNION: Nearly One in Three People with HIV Do Not Know: EU: Agence France Presse (10.26.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; In a call for Europe to continue fighting AIDS, the European Commission warned on Monday that almost one in three people with HIV do not know they are infected. Commission figures indicate that the number of people living with HIV in the 27 EU nations and neighboring countries rose from 1.5 million in 2001 to 2.2 milli
NORTH CAROLINA: Metrolina AIDS Project Closing: Charlotte Observer (10.24.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; Cleve R. Wootson Jr.; The poor economy and management struggles have closed a 25- year-old AIDS service organization in Charlotte. In announcing the shutdown, Metrolina AIDS Project officials did not give a timetable for the closure, or say how clients will be served beyond that point. Key contributors to MAP s estimated $2.6 million budget
UNITED STATES: Feelings of Stigmatization May Discourage HIV Patients from Proper Care: Science Daily (10.22.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; HIV patients who experience or perceive disease-related stigma were four times as likely as those who did not to report poor access to medical care in a recent study. Individuals who felt internalized stigma were also three times as likely to report suboptimal treatment adherence, though mental health mediated the rela
SOUTH AFRICA: TB Crisis Deepens as Case Load Soars: Weekend Post (Port Elizabeth) (10.27.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; Rochelle de Kock; The Eastern Cape Health Department saw 60,000 new TB cases last year, and at least 70 percent were HIV coinfected, according to health officials. Overcrowding has forced the province to let patients with drug-resistant TB, who are normally quarantined during treatment at Jose Pearson TB Hospital, visit their families o
RUSSIA: AIDS Experts Say Russia Needs New HIV Strategy: Associated Press (10.29.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; Douglas Birch; Russia s abstinence-based approach to injection drug use is not working to curb HIV, AIDS experts said on Wednesday during the Eastern Europe and Central Asia AIDS Conference in Moscow. HIV infections have doubled in Russia in the past eight years, and there is evidence that HIV s route of transmission there is shiftin
FLORIDA: University of South Florida Studies Flu Vaccine, HIV: St. Petersburg Times (10.27.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; Richard Martin; At several dozen sites across the nation, researchers will examine whether a higher dose of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine elicits a protective immune response in pregnant women, children, and young adults with HIV. The University of South Florida (USF) will be enrolling participants through its division of pediatric
UNITED STATES: San Francisco AIDS Meeting Has Real-World Focus: San Francisco Chronicle (10.29.09) - Thursday, October 29, 2009; Erin Allday; The US Conference on AIDS got underway Wednesday night in San Francisco, and more than 3,000 people are expected to take part between now and Saturday. The conference is sponsored by the National Minority AIDS Council, whose director of government relations, Ravinia Hayes-Cozier, described it as a blend of science and
FLORIDA: HIV Patients Sought for Study: Pensacola News Journal (10.25.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; Pensacola area HIV patients are being recruited for a study of an investigational drug therapy for persons whose treatment regimen is losing its effectiveness. The study s drug candidate is a member of the non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor drug class. Persons chosen to participate will have access to certa
AFRICA: Germany Provides 23 Million euros to Fight AIDS in Africa: Agence France Presse (10.27.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; The five-nation Organization for the Coordination of the Struggle Against Epidemics in Central Africa announced on Tuesday that Germany is providing 23 million euros (US $34 million) to combat AIDS in the region. The new funds, which follow upon a German grant of 10 million euros (US $14.7 million) in 2007, will be dis
GLOBAL: Bill Gates Urges More Spending on Global Health: Associated Press (10.27.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; Jennifer C. Kerr; In Washington on Tuesday, Microsoft founder Bill Gates and his wife Melinda introduced their new Living Proof Project touting the huge returns that result from investments in global health initiatives. Global health money improves lives more effectively than any other spending, Bill Gates said. The pair s new project w
TEXAS: HIV Cases Triple in County: Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock) (10.27.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; Sarah Nightingale; Lubbock health officials became alarmed about local HIV transmissions when they saw an increase in syphilis cases last year. Already this year, Lubbock County has recorded 31 new HIV diagnoses, up from 10 each in 2008 and 2007. More than 30 syphilis cases have been diagnosed in the first nine months of 2009. Syphilis i
NETHERLANDS: Regular Pap Smear Is as Effective as ThinPrep: USA Today (10.28.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; Rita Rubin; The liquid-based cytology test ThinPrep now represents 70 percent of the US cervical cancer screening market, but a new report finds it no more effective than the conventional Pap smear at detecting precancerous cells. In the study, 89,784 Dutch women were randomized to be screened either with ThinPrep or a conventiona
UGANDA: Uganda Member of Parliament Urges Death for Gay Sex: BBC (10.16.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; A lawmaker from Uganda s ruling party has proposed a bill to create new capital offences for homosexuality, which is already illegal in the country. Under Member of Parliament (MP) David Bahati s measure, HIV-positive gays who have sex would be guilty of aggravated homosexuality, which would be punishable by death. In
RUSSIA: Russia Rejects Methadone to Stem HIV Epidemic: Agence France Presse (10.28.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; More than 60 percent of people with HIV in Eastern Europe and Central Asia acquired the virus through injection drug use, Russia s chief medical official said Wednesday. However, Russia will not be embracing methadone maintenance treatment for injection drug users (IDUs), Gennady Onishchenko told the Eastern Europe and
UNITED KINGDOM: HPV Jab Girls Are 'Sex Cautious': BBC (10.27.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; Young Manchester girls who received the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine said the shots made them more aware about the risks of sex, according to a new survey. The findings might serve as a rebuttal to critics who believe HPV vaccination would make girls more sexually promiscuous, experts said. A University of Manche
NEW YORK: Despite Approval, Evident Roadblocks to HPV Vaccine for Males Continue: NY1.com (10.26.09) - Wednesday, October 28, 2009; Although Merck & Co. s Gardasil human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine received US regulatory approval recently for use in males ages 9-26 to prevent genital warts, males still face barriers to receiving the shots. Gay and bisexual men are 17 times more likely to develop HPV-related anal cancer than heterosexual men, a
CHINA: Survey: 30 Percent of China's Hepatitis B Patients Cannot Afford Long-Term Treatment: Xinhua News Agency (10.24.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; A new survey reveals that almost 30 percent of hepatitis B patients in China fail to adhere to long-term treatment due to their inability to pay for it. Financial concerns, the survey said, led these patients to switch drugs randomly, substitute cheaper drugs, or stop treatment entirely. Zhuang Hui, an epidemiologist a
CARIBBEAN: Caribbean Sees Drop in HIV, AIDS Cases: Agence France Presse (10.26.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; Ahead of the ninth annual general meeting of the Pan Caribbean Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP), its director noted that the number of infected people in the region is on the decline. However, The figures are still very high for such a small region, said Carl Browne. According to PANCAP, the Caribbean last year re
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Students Say Schools' Sex Education Is Antiquated: Washington Post (10.22.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; Darryl Fears; Many high school students in the District of Columbia are not impressed with its sex education curriculum and see school nurses as untrustworthy, suggests a recently concluded survey. The city-funded Youth Sexual Health Project conducted 10 focus groups with about 250 D.C. high school students between April and October
CANADA: Canada Study Finds Link Between Smoking Crack, HIV: Reuters (10.19.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; Allan Dowd; Daily smoking of crack cocaine is an independent risk factor for HIV infection, according to a nine-year study involving 1,048 injection drug users (IDUs) in Vancouver s Downtown Eastside. When the study began in 1996, only 11.6 percent of the IDUs smoked crack daily, and researchers saw no evidence that smoking the dr
SOUTH AFRICA: South African Muslims Urged to Fight AIDS: IslamOnline.net (10.23.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; Hassan Isilow; The director of Positive Muslims, an organization that aims to support those living with HIV, is calling on South African Muslims to break the silence that often surrounds AIDS. For a long time, our Muslim community has preferred to ignore the problem of HIV/AIDS, said Raoul Ridwaan Swart. Others think HIV/AIDS does no
CANADA: Saskatchewan Government Starts Fall Session with Plan to Cut Surgery Waits: Canadian Press (10.21.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; Jennifer Graham; During his speech at the opening of the fall session of the Saskatchewan Legislature, Premier Brad Wall introduced a number of goals for improving health care in the province. Among other issues, Wall said the government will act to limit the proliferation of needles distributed by its needle-exchange program. The gove
UNITED KINGDOM: National Health Service Ban on 'High-Risk' Gay Men Donating Blood to Be Reviewed: Times (London) (10.27.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; David Rose; Britain s longstanding lifetime ban on blood donations by men who have sex with men (MSM), a policy condemned as irrational by advocates, will be reviewed today in a meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs. The ban bars blood donations by any man who has ever had sex with another ma
WISCONSIN: Bill Would Rewrite Rules for Public Sex Education: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) (10.26.09) - Tuesday, October 27, 2009; Samara Kalk Derby; On Tuesday, the state Assembly Committee on Education will vote on a bill that would require school districts offering sex education to provide a comprehensive curriculum, including information about contraceptives. The measure specifies the curriculum must be medically accurate and age-appropriate. The bill will be he
CANADA: Tattoo Shop Owner Faces 21 Health Charges: Edmonton Journal (10.23.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; Jodie Sinnema; Eric Anderson, who ran the now-closed Zipp s Tattoo and Museum Shoppe on Whyte Avenue in Edmonton, faces 21 charges relating to health code violations and obstruction of justice. The health charges include keeping improper records of customers, improperly discarding used needles, and reusing tattoo and piercing equipme
AFRICA: Africa Should Protect Children from AIDS - Machel: Reuters (10.22.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; Peroshni Govender; More must be done to protect Africa s children from HIV, and the continent s leaders should change their priorities regarding national budgets, according to the wife of former South African President Nelson Mandela. I am not really convinced that some of the budgets we have for defense are absolutely necessary, Graca M
MASSACHUSETTS: Symposium Explores HIV Denial, Conspiracy Theories: Harvard Gazette (Harvard University) (10.20.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; Alvin Powell; AIDS denialism - the belief that HIV is not the causative agent of AIDS or that the AIDS pandemic is the result of a conspiracy - is widespread and destructive, said researchers at a recent Harvard University symposium. Challenging the role of HIV infection in AIDS, for example, discourages both testing and treatment,
CALIFORNIA: Project Inform Forum Focuses on HIV and Aging: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.22.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; Liz Highleyman; Effective antiretroviral therapy has helped make age-related concerns come into focus among HIV patients and health care providers. About 15 percent of newly HIV-infected people are over age 50, and by 2015 nearly half of HIV-positive people in the United States will be over 50. The proportion is already 40 percent in
CALIFORNIA: Nonprofit Using Young Faces for HIV/AIDS Awareness: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (10.20.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; Victor Morales; A new HIV/AIDS awareness campaign in Palm Springs directly tackles youths mistaken belief that they can identify people with HIV by sight. In posters placed in 40 public buses, young, attractive Latino models are juxtaposed against the warning: You can t tell if someone has HIV/AIDS by just looking at them. Protect you
UNITED STATES: A Few Coffees a Day Keep Liver Disease at Bay: Study: Agence France Presse (10.21.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; In population studies, higher coffee consumption has been inversely associated with chronic liver disease incidence. Now a new study has found that a few cups of coffee a day seem to help prevent the progression of hepatitis C-related liver disease. The study involved 766 participants in the Hepatitis C Antiviral Long-
UNITED KINGDOM: How Condoms Became as Popular as Pill Among Younger Women: Daily Mail (London) (10.21.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; Jenny Hope; In 2008-09, for the first time since such statistics have been collected, the proportion of women in Britain using the birth- control pill was the same as the proportion using condoms, according to a new Office of National Statistics survey. Three out four women under 50 reported the use of some type of contraceptive.
UTAH: Lawmakers Consider Sex Education Changes: Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (10.22.09) - Monday, October 26, 2009; Amy K. Stewart; A state legislative committee on Wednesday heard two hours of public testimony about whether to change Utah s sex education curriculum. At present, teachers may discuss contraception options with parental consent but are prohibited from advocacy or encouragement of the use of contraceptive methods or devices. Critics s
UNITED KINGDOM: How Many People Have You Slept With, 2.8 Million?: Agence France Presse (09.23.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; To call attention to the risk of STDs, British drug chain Lloyd s Pharmacy has launched an online calculator to give site visitors a better sense of their exposure to the infections. Sex Degrees of Separation asks users to enter their number of lifetime sexual partners, together with other data; then it calculates the
BRAZIL: Catholic Church Urges AIDS Testing in Brazil: Agence France Presse (10.22.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; In Brazil , home to the world s largest population of Catholics, the Church on Thursday announced a campaign to promote early testing for HIV, followed by treatment if necessary. Based on an initiative already underway in five cities, the national campaign includes syphilis testing and will be launched jointly by the B
UNITED STATES: Obama Urged to Sign HIV/AIDS Care Bill: United Press International (10.22.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; Now that the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 has won overwhelming support in both chambers of Congress, the HIV Medicine Association has called on President Obama to sign it at once. We call on the president to quickly sign this legislation to ensure that our patients have access to the care they ne
CALIFORNIA: Minorities, Housing Must Be Part of AIDS Strategy, White House Told: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.22.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; The federal government must address housing, funding, and similar issues in its new national AIDS policy, San Francisco activists recently told President Barack Obama s top AIDS adviser. Housing is prevention, housing is care, Supervisor Bevan Dufty told the group of about 150 people at a meeting at the University of C
UNITED STATES: Research Shows Treating HIV/AIDS with Interleukin-2 Is Ineffective: Science Daily (10.15.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; Although interleukin-2 ( IL-2 ) in combination with antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) raises CD4+ cell counts more than ARVs alone, it is not clinically beneficial to HIV patients, according to a recently published study. Scientists had theorized that IL-2 would help regenerate CD4+ immune cells, building a patient s natural
UNITED STATES: Brief Shocks May Deliver AIDS Vaccines Better - Study: Reuters (10.22.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; Delivering electrical pulses along with an experimental AIDS vaccine elicited a better immune response in volunteers than administering the injection alone, researchers said Thursday at the AIDS Vaccine 2009 conference in Paris. Employing a technique called electroporation, US researchers used a device that looks like
AUSTRALIA: Call to Expand Needle-Exchange Programs: Australian Associated Press (10.22.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; Danny Rose; Australia s liberal needle-exchange program over the past 10 years has helped to prevent 32,000 new HIV infections and almost 100,000 new cases of hepatitis C, says a new report from the National Center in HIV Epidemiology and Clinical Research (NCHECR). This study provides strong evidence to suggest that increased spe
ARKANSAS: Funding Cuts Limit Access to HIV, AIDS Treatments: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (10.19.09) - Friday, October 23, 2009; Tracie Dungan; Funding cuts are forcing Arkansas officials to curtail some services and medications for residents with HIV/AIDS. State officials administering the federally funded $7.42 million Ryan White Part B program are furloughing some program participants from the rolls, at least temporarily, and establishing a waiting list for
COLORADO: Audubon: No Hepatitis C Cases Linked to Surgery Tech: Associated Press (10.20.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; There is no evidence that any patients at Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs contracted hepatitis C from a surgery technician who stole drug-filled syringes and replaced them with used ones containing saline solution, according to officials of the facility. When the actions of Kristen Diane Parker came to light
OHIO: Legislative Floor Action: Associated Press (10.20.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; HB 316, a bill submitted to the state House of Representatives, would establish statutory standards for comprehensive sex education and HIV/AIDS prevention instruction in public schools. It would also designate section 3313.6011 of the Revised Code as the Act for Our Children s Future. After it was introduced, the bill
UNITED STATES: Pelosi's Bid for San Francisco Fails: San Francisco Chronicle (10.22.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; Drew Joseph; US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was unsuccessful in her attempt to add a provision to the Ryan White Extension Act that would have permanently protected San Francisco s federal HIV/AIDS funding. The city has lost AIDS money since 2006, when the reauthorized act shifted dollars toward rural areas and other loca
GLOBAL: Experts Study Thriving HIV 'Controllers' in Vaccine Search: Reuters (10.21.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; Studies of elite controllers, HIV-positive persons whose own immune systems somehow naturally thwart the virus, have so far been concentrated in North America. However, scientists at the AIDS Vaccine 2009 conference now underway in Paris have been told of plans to expand the studies to include controllers in Asia, Afri
INDIA: Often-Inaccessible Screening Could Cut Deaths: Courier Journal (Louisville) (10.18.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; Laura Ungar; Awareness about cervical cancer in India has grown since the introduction last year of the Gardasil human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. However, its cost and the inaccessibility of cervical cancer screening in India prevent turning that awareness into prevention, said Dr. Partha Basu, an oncologist at the government-ru
AUSTRALIA: Cancer Funding Snub Under Fire: Sydney Morning Herald (10.16.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; Julie Robotham; Australia s Medical Services Advisory Committee (MSAC) ruled recently that liquid-based cytology and computer-assisted LBC for cervical cancer screening are not cost-effective at current prices, and they should not be supported by public funding. LBC preserves cells in a liquid sample for screening instead of the sampl
UNITED STATES: Merck Cancer Vaccine Fails to Win Routine Use in Boys: Bloomberg News (10.21.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; Tom Randall; Shannon Pettypiece; On Wednesday, a CDC advisory committee recommended that the vaccination of boys against genital warts be left to the discretion of physicians, rather than routinely offered as part of the approved vaccine schedule. The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) found that the benefit of Merck & Co. s human
UNITED STATES: Panel Backs Vaccine as Cervical Cancer Alternative: Associated Press (10.21.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; Mike Stobbe; CDC s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices voted on Wednesday to recommend adding GlaxoSmithKline s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix to the schedule of recommended immunizations for girls and young women. ACIP s endorsement would make Cervarix the second HPV vaccine supported by CDC if CDC adopts the
UNITED STATES: AIDS Funding Bill Sails Through the House: New York Times (10.21.09) - Thursday, October 22, 2009; Bernie Becker; The US House of Representatives on Wednesday voted 408-9 in favor of reauthorizing the Ryan White Care Act. The bill, which the Senate had already passed by unanimous consent, now moves to the desk of President Obama, whose administration has signaled strong support for it. Congress last reauthorized the act in 2006. I
NEW YORK: Portion of AIDS Quilt to Go on Display at Rockland Community College this Week: Journal News (White Plains) (10.20.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; Khurram Saeed; A portion of the Names Project AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view this week at Rockland Community College. Comprising 1,920 panels bearing the names of 4,500 persons lost to AIDS, the quilt display will be the largest to take place in the Northeast in a decade, said Robert Maher, executive director of Together Our Uni
NEBRASKA: HIV Researcher to Give Lincoln, Neb., Lecture: Associated Press (10.17.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; Dr. Robert Gallo, the co-discoverer of HIV, will lecture Thursday night at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Gallo will deliver his talk, Viruses, Epidemics and the Prospects for Their Control with Emphasis on HIV/AIDS, at 7 p.m. in the O Donnell Auditorium. The event is open to the public.
OHIO: Missed Deadline on Health Care Grant Won't Cost Cuyahoga Taxpayers: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (10.19.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; Laura Johnston; In an e-mail sent Friday, the federal Health Resources and Services Administration said it will forgive an administrative error that might have cost Cuyahoga County taxpayers $400,000. HRSA, which awards grants to assist uninsured HIV/AIDS patients, made the decision even though the county missed the deadline for three
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Officials to Scrutinize Spending by AIDS Groups: Washington Post (10.20.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; Debbie Cenziper; Nikita Stewart; Reacting to a series of Washington Post reports published on Sunday and Monday, District of Columbia officials said they will investigate questionable city AIDS grant spending, among other problems. The 10-month Post investigation focused on the spending, services, and finances of every specialized nonprofit AIDS organ
UNITED STATES: Types of Cancer Vary in HIV Patients: United Press International (09.29.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; The types of cancers diagnosed among HIV-infected patients have shifted in the era of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, a new study has found. The incidence rates of non-AIDS-defining malignancies (non-ADMs) have grown among HIV-infected patients compared with non-infected patients since ARVs became available, wrote Dr. Ro
GLOBAL: Scientists Glean Lessons from Stalled AIDS Vaccine: Reuters (10.20.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; Further analysis has found that Merck & Co. s failed AIDS vaccine MRKAd5 did not actually enhance volunteers risk of HIV infection as was reported when the trial was halted in 2007, researchers announced Tuesday. Initial findings suggested that some vaccinated participants in the STEP study, such as uncircumcised m
AUSTRALIA: Law Harming HIV Prevention: Sydney Star Observer (10.20.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; Andie Noonan; The criminal prosecution of persons who have transmitted HIV is hurting AIDS prevention efforts, according to a new monograph from the National Association of People Living with AIDS (NAPWA). Since 1993, 22 criminal cases have been brought on grounds of HIV/AIDS exposure. Almost half of these have occurred in the past
UNITED STATES: New Life-Saver for HIV Patients: Transplants: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) (10.07.09) - Wednesday, October 21, 2009; David Wahlberg; HIV infection is no longer an automatic reason for denying organ transplantation to patients who are otherwise candidates for the surgery. Since 1989, more than 500 transplants have been performed in patients known to have HIV, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the Richmond, Va.-based organization that
PENNSYLVANIA: Thousands Brave the Cold for AIDS Awareness: Philadelphia Inquirer (10.19.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; Maya Rao; On Sunday, about 15,000 people turned out for the 23rd annual AIDS Walk Philly, despite rain and bitter chill. The participants had raised $350,000 by the time of the event, said Cari Bender, a spokesperson for the AIDS Fund. The fund supports 30 HIV/AIDS education, prevention and service organizations in the Delaware
ESTONIA: Estonia Has to Step Up Efforts to Combat HIV - Survey: Baltic News Service (10.13.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; The treatment and quality of life of Estonian HIV/AIDS patients is fairly good but could be improved, according to the Euro Index Project of 29 European states. The country needs to address injection drug users, since most Estonians infected are either IDUs or their partners, the EU project said. The report also noted
OHIO: Grant to Planned Parenthood; Abortion, Sex Education Spark Debate: Columbus Dispatch (10.14.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; Barbara Carmen; The Franklin County Board of Commissioners gave Planned Parenthood $50,000 to provide sex education in 19 area middle and high schools - but only after extracting a promise that the grant funds would not be used for abortion. This money is to prevent the need for abortions, said Lisa Perks, CEO of Planned Parenthood of
CALIFORNIA: San Luis Obispo AIDS Support Wanes with State Funds: San Luis Obispo Tribune (10.11.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; Julie Lynem; In the wake of California s struggle to overcome a huge budget shortfall, San Luis Obispo County has eliminated its AIDS program. That leaves much of the work of caring for the county s estimated 200 HIV/AIDS patients in the hands of the nonprofit San Luis Obispo County AIDS Support Network. But SLOCASN has its own fun
THAILAND: AIDS Vaccine Is of Modest Help, Fuller Research Says: Wall Street Journal (10.20.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; Gautam Naik; A more extensive analysis of data from a Thailand-based trial indicates that an experimental AIDS vaccine may have been less effective than originally thought. In September, researchers announced that the vaccinations - which combined two vaccines previously shown to be ineffective when given separately - had lowered H
SOUTH AFRICA: Little Progress in TB Fight: Minister: Independent Online (Johannesburg) (10.12.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; South Africa Press Association; The prevalence of tuberculosis has increased threefold in South Africa during the last decade and the country has made little progress in combating its spread, the deputy health minister told participants at a recent international meeting in Cape Town. We need a change of mind-set and more sense of urgency to confront
GLOBAL: Don't Flag on Support, AIDS Chiefs Say at Vaccine Conference: Agence France Presse (10.19.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; Richard Ingham; The financial crisis is constraining aid spending among donor countries, but scaling back international AIDS efforts now would be penny-wise and pound-foolish, experts say. The financial crisis is of course affecting, and clearly affecting, the capacity of donors to fund international programs on AIDS, said Michel Kaza
UNITED STATES: Boys' Use of Gardasil Is Approved: Wall Street Journal (10.17.09) - Tuesday, October 20, 2009; Jonathan D. Rockoff; On Friday, the Food and Drug Administration approved Merck & Co. s human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil as safe and effective at protecting males from genital warts caused by HPV types 6 and 11. FDA approved the vaccine s use by males ages 9-26. Gardasil is already approved for use by females ages 9- 26 to prevent
CALIFORNIA: AIDS Walk Is 25: Los Angeles Times (10.19.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; Gerrick D. Kennedy; Sunday s 25th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles drew some 30,000 people who walked a 6.2-mile route in West Hollywood and raised $3,146,206 for AIDS Project Los Angeles and other AIDS service organizations. Craig E. Thompson, APLA s executive director, said the funds are especially needed this year because the organization
CALIFORNIA: AIDS Health Project Body Image Workshop: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.15.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; On Friday, Oct. 23, at 6:30 p.m., the University of California-San Francisco s AIDS Health Project will present Body Image: A Workshop for Gay Men. Noting that body image can impact relationships, sex and HIV risk, the forum s organizers say it will discuss how to feel better about one s body and less concerned about o
ASIA-PACIFIC: Conference Urges Sexual Health Service for Asia- Pacific Youth: Xinhua News Agency (10.18.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; The Fifth Asia Pacific Conference on Reproductive and Sexual Health and Rights, now underway in Beijing, has issued a call for better sexual health services for young people. Few young people receive adequate preparation for their sexual lives. This leaves them potentially vulnerable to coercion, abuse and exploitation
GEORGIA: Students Get Tested for TB Exposure: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (10.17.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; D. Aileen Dodd; Approximately 200 students may have been exposed to TB at Norcross High School, according to Gwinnett County Public Schools officials. The health of your child and other children is of the highest concern to us, Principal Jonathan Patterson wrote in a letter about the situation sent to parents. The Gwinnett County Heal
UGANDA: The Role of HIV Testing, Counseling and Treatment in Coping with HIV/AIDS in Uganda: A Qualitative Analysis: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 7: P. 903-908 (07.01.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; Barbara Nyanzi-Wakholi; Antonieta Medina Lara; Christine Watera; Paula Munderi; Charles Gilks; Heiner Grosskurth; The current qualitative study explores the role of HIV voluntary counseling and testing (VCT) and treatment in helping HIV-positive Ugandans cope with the disease. The researchers conducted 12 predetermined focus group discussions (FGDs), six with men and six with women. Half the men s and women s groups were receiving
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe Women Combat HIV Stigma: BBC Sport (10.13.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; Steve Vickers; HIV-positive women in Zimbabwe are taking to the soccer pitch to fight misconceptions and stigma about HIV/AIDS. The project began in December, and enough women have joined to organize competitions among 16 teams. An attempt to organize a similar league for men has not yet succeeded, as there were not enough players to
CANADA: Pap Smear Guidelines May Bring Relief: Edmonton Journal (10.17.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; Jodie Sinnema; Under new clinical guidance, Alberta now advises most women who are at low risk for cervical cancer to have a Pap smear every three years rather than annually. Alberta is the last province to switch to the three-year testing recommendation, acting upon the advice of an expert committee that found no increased cervical
UNITED STATES: US OKs Glaxo's Cervical Cancer Shot: Reuters (10.16.09) - Monday, October 19, 2009; Lisa Richwine; GlaxoSmithKline announced Friday that the Food and Drug Administration has approved its Cervarix vaccine for US females ages 10 to 25. Cervarix fights two strains of the STD human papillomavirus (HPV) linked to about 70 percent of cervical cancers. In company studies, it was 93 percent effective in preventing a pre-c
GEORGIA: AIDS Walk Atlanta Features US Rep. John Lewis, Mayor Shirley Franklin: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (10.16.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; Matt Schaffer; AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run organizers are hoping to have 15,000-20,000 participants and raise $1 million at the annual event, which is being held on Sunday Oct. 18 at Piedmont Park. This will be the 19th year of the fundraiser and awareness walk. Benefiting organizations include AID Atlanta, AID Gwinnett, AIDS Rese
CALIFORNIA: AIDS Walk Turned 25: WeHo News (West Hollywood) (10.15.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; On Sunday, the 25th annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles is expected to draw more than 27,000 participants. Last year, the walk raised $3.9 million and attracted 30,000 people. Since 1985, the event has helped raise more than $63 million for HIV/AIDS programs across the county. This year s beneficiaries are AIDS Project Los An
UNITED STATES: House Energy and Commerce Panel OKs Bill Helping HIV Patients: Dow Jones Newswires (10.15.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; Jared. A. Favole; Renewal of the Ryan White CARE Act moved a step forward on Thursday when the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent to the House floor a proposed bill that would fund the act through fiscal 2013. Under the legislation, the government would spend roughly $2.5 billion annually to help low-income HIV/AIDS patients acces
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Getting His Message Out by Hook or by Crook: Washington Post (10.12.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; John Kelly; No one will ever mistake Dwyane Lawson-Brown for just another AIDS educator. He is the after-school coordinator for Metro TeenAIDS in Washington, D.C., yes, but there is also his dreadlocks and after-hours careers in break-dancing and poetry reading. And then there is the hobby that consumes him, his self- proclaimed
ILLINOIS: Trinity Pays Rock Island County $80,000 Stemming from Hepatitis A Outbreak: Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (10.14.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; Deirdre Cox Baker; Trinity Regional Health System, tardy in reporting hepatitis A cases this summer to the Rock Island County Health Department, has reimbursed the local government $80,000 for expenses managing an outbreak of the disease. The Rock Island County Sheriff s Department concluded that the health system and the Metropolitan Me
UNITED STATES: History of Childhood Sexual Abuse and Unsafe Anal Intercourse in a Six-City Study of HIV-Positive Men Who Have Sex with Men: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1079-1086 (06.01.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; Seth L. Welles, ScD, PhD; A. Cornelius Baker, BA; Michael H. Miner, PhD; David J. Brennan, PhD; Scott Jacoby, MA; B.R. Simon Rosser, PhD, MPH; Among a population of HIV-positive men who reported unsafe anal intercourse with other men in the preceding year, the authors assessed rates of childhood sexual abuse and its demographic and mental health correlates. The researchers conducted a cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from 593 HIV-positive men who hav
UNITED STATES: Increases in Gonorrhea Among High School Students Following Hurricane Katrina: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85; P. 194-198 (06.01.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; M.J. Nsuami; S.N. Taylor; B.S. Smith; D.H. Martin; In the current study, the researchers assessed the prevalence of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in a population of students before and after their neighborhoods were devastated by Hurricane Katrina (Aug. 29, 2005). In a public high school in New Orleans, students were offered urine screening for N. gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia tra
AUSTRALIA: Sex Education Turns Up Some Surprises: Sydney Morning Herald (10.10.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; Melinda Ham; The profile of female sex worker clients is not a stereotypical dirty old man, but rather the well-educated, married male between the ages of 30-50 who has a good job and travels extensively, according to research from a scientist at the University of New South Wales (UNSW). Philip Burch, a criminology lecturer at UNSW
CALIFORNIA: A Renewed Focus on HIV/AIDS; Advocates Hope that Sunday's Town Hall in Hollywood Will Result in More Funding and Greater Diversity: Los Angeles Times (10.16.09) - Friday, October 16, 2009; Molly Hennessey-Fiske; In preparation for drafting the first-ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the Office of National AIDS Policy is conducting town hall meetings across the country and gathering public input online. The effort is expected to help guide federal funding for HIV/AIDS programs and research. On Sunday, ONAP will host a public for
GLOBAL: Cell Phone Texting Makes Giving as Easy as 1-2-3: USA Today (10.13.09) - Thursday, October 15, 2009; Jessica Durando; Cell phones have become an important fundraising tool, allowing as many as 500 charities to raise more than $1 million, said Jim Manis, president of the Mobile Giving Foundation. Texting campaigns are increasing in popularity at concerts, sporting events, workplaces and online, said Manis. The importance for the consum
PENNSYLVANIA: Walkers, Runners to Hit the Path for HIV/AIDS: Philadelphia Gay News (10.01.09) - Thursday, October 15, 2009; Jen Colletta; To raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and funds for AIDS services in the Delaware Valley, the 23rd annual AIDS Walk/Run Philly will be held on Sunday, Oct. 18. The event benefits the AIDS Fund, which provides financial backing to 30 regional agencies that offer HIV/AIDS prevention and support services. Last year s walk dre
UNITED STATES: Intent to Accept and Acceptance of Herpes Testing in Adolescents and Young Adults: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 296-299 (08.01.09) - Thursday, October 15, 2009; N.C. Kelly; G.D. Zimet; M.C. Aalsma; D.I. Bernstein; J.D. Fortenberry; S.L. Rosenthal; The current study aims to understand the attitudinal, symptomatic and historical precursors to intent to accept, and acceptance of, HSV-2 [herpes simplex virus-2] testing. Nine hundred individuals were recruited from four sites in two US cities and completed self-report questionnaires. Expressed intent to consent to HS
UNITED STATES: Effect of a Hepatitis C Virus Educational Intervention or a Motivational Intervention on Alcohol Use, Injection Drug Use and Sexual Risk Behaviors Among Injection Drug Users: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. S1: P. S180- S186 (04.01.09) - Thursday, October 15, 2009; William A. Zule, DrPH; Elizabeth C. Costenbader, PhD; Curtis M. Coomes, JD; Wendee M. Wechsberg, PhD; Researchers in the current study compared the effects of two interventions on alcohol use: using a new syringe at last injection, and using a condom at last sexual encounter in a community sample of injection drug users (IDUs). Street outreach was used to recruit 851 out-of-treatment IDUs in two North Carolina cities -
INDIA: Discreet Sex Education Breaks Indian Taboo: Agence France Presse (10.12.09) - Thursday, October 15, 2009; Rupam Jain Nair; Many private schools across India are now offering lessons on sexual health - lessons that traditionalists say violate Hindu culture. While such lessons are offered to these pupils discretely, millions of students in government schools will receive no sex education, and political controversy has made some state governm
UNITED STATES: Official Says 'Down Low' Men Not Responsible for High HIV Rates Among Black Women: NNPA (10.07.09) - Thursday, October 15, 2009; George E. Curry; Heterosexual black men with multiple sex partners - not bisexual men who secretly have sex with men - are responsible for high rates of HIV among black women, according to a senior CDC official. We have looked to see what proportion of infections is coming from male partners who are bisexual and found there are actuall
MASSACHUSETTS: Proposed Legislation to End Written Consent for HIV Testing in Massachusetts Sparks Controversy: The Edge (Boston) (10.14.09) - Thursday, October 15, 2009; Peter Cassels; Massachusetts still requires written consent before a patient can be tested for HIV. Now, two bills before the Senate there would require health care providers to verbally discuss the test; outline treatment options if it comes back positive; recommend that negative but at-risk individuals undergo periodic testing; and
PUERTO RICO: Puerto Rico Group Tests Syringe Vending Machine for Users: Associated Press (10.13.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; Puerto Rico s only needle-exchange group, the Community Initiative, is pilot testing a vending machine that offers intravenous drug users clean syringes, cotton filters, gauze, and sterile water. The after-hours program aims to prevent HIV and hepatitis infections transmitted among IDUs through needle sharing. The mach
SOUTH AFRICA: Health Department Backtracks on HIV Figures: Business Day (South Africa) (10.06.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; Tamar Kahn; The Department of Health recently revised its 2007 figure for HIV infections among pregnant women attending state clinics. The initial figure was released in an annual report under the controversial former health minister, Manto Tshabalala- Msimang, and it emphasized a drop in HIV prevalence among pregnant women ages 1
UNITED STATES: Health Care Access and Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Frequency Among At-Risk Massachusetts Men Who Have Sex with Men: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. S1: S187-S192 (04.01.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; Carey V. Johnson, MS; Matthew J. Mimiaga, ScD, MPH; Sari L. Reisner, MA; Ashley M. Tetu, BS; Kevin Cranston, MDiv; Thomas Bertrand, MPH; David S. Novak, MSW; Kenneth H. Mayer, MD; Among a population of Massachusetts men who have sex with men (MSM), the researchers set out to assess risk exposures, access to health care, and screening rates for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). A modified respondent- driven sampling method was used to collect data between March 2006 and May 2007.
UNITED STATES: Reported Care Quality in Federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Supported Networks of HIV/AIDS Care: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 6: P. 799-807 (06.01.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; Lisa R. Hirschhorn; Stewart Landers; D. Keith Mcinnes; Faye Malitz; Lin Ding; Rebecca Joyce; Paul D. Cleary; The US government has, since 1991, funded medical and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The program supports care networks for patients in 51 Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMAs). The 2000 reauthorization of Ryan White mandated quality management programs for all si
MALAWI: Police Force HIV Tests for Sex Workers: Inter Press Service (Johannesburg) (10.10.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; Charles Mpaka; Malawian police on a routine sweep for criminals in Mwanza earlier this month arrested 14 women deemed sex workers and allegedly forced them to undergo HIV tests, rights workers say. The women were subsequently charged for deliberately trading in sex while having a sexually transmitted disease. There is no law specific
THAILAND: Success of AIDS Vaccine Trial Is at Issue: New York Times (10.11.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; The AIDS vaccine tested in a recent trial in Thailand is not as promising as it appears at first blush, according to reports in the Wall Street Journal and on the Web site of the journal Science. The second look is based on reports by anonymous AIDS researchers who were given confidential briefings on the study before
MINNESOTA: Early Testing Urged on Latino AIDS Awareness Day: Associated Press (10.12.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; On Thursday, Minnesota joins the rest of the nation in marking National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (NLAAD). Since 1982, 610 Latinos have been diagnosed with HIV in Minnesota, including 129 who have died, according to the state Department of Health. In the state, Latinos have an infection rate five times greater than amo
CALIFORNIA: Politicians Urged to Include People with AIDS in Health Care Reform: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.08.09) - Wednesday, October 14, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; As various proposals make their way through Congress, AIDS advocates have crafted their own agenda for health care reform. In a Sept. 24 letter to President Barack Obama, a coalition of 84 AIDS service organizations known as the HIV Health Care Access Working Group spell out their goals for a revamping of the health ca
CALIFORNIA: Talking About HIV with the White House: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.16.09) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009; Randy Allgaier; Northern California residents will have two opportunities soon to meet with the White House Office of National AIDS Policy to discuss ideas for a national HIV/AIDS strategy. ONAP will hold a community discussion on Oct. 16 in San Francisco and on Nov. 1 in Oakland. ONAP also is asking for online feedback, including rec
MASSACHUSETTS: Exhibition of AIDS Activism in Visual Media Coming to Harvard: Bay Windows (Boston) (10.08.09) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009; Hannah Clay Wareham; The art of AIDS activism - at one time restricted to the sides of buses and subway stations - is the subject of a new exhibition at the Harvard Art Museum s Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts. The show explores AIDS activism in New York City from 1987 to 1993, with a particular emphasis on the work of advocacy organi
UNITED STATES: HIV Risk Associated with Gay Bathhouses and Sex Clubs: Findings from Two Seattle Surveys of Factors Related to HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. S1: P. S165- S172 (04.01.09) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009; William J. Reidy, PhD; Freya Spielberg, MD, MPH; Robert Wood, MD; Diane Binson, PhD; William J. Woods, PhD; Gary M. Goldbaum, MD, MPH; In the current research, the authors studied the HIV risk behaviors of patrons of the three commercial sex establishments for men in Seattle. They conducted cross- sectional, observational surveys in 2004 and 2006 by use of time-venue cluster sampling with probability proportional to size. The surveys were anonymous an
CHINA: China to End Required Testing for Hepatitis B: New York Times (10.13.09) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009; Andrew Jacobs; China will stop mandatory screening for hepatitis B during physical exams for students entering college and for prospective factory workers and government employees, an official from the Health Ministry said on Saturday. Guidance on the cancellation is being drafted. It will effectively mean people infected with hepa
NEW MEXICO: Preventing AIDS, Which May Be Rising Among Boomers, Requires a Little Re-Education: Albuquerque Journal (09.27.09) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009; Richard S. Dargan; New HIV/AIDS cases among people age 50 and older are increasing in New Mexico, according to state Department of Health data. Among 165 new cases in New Mexico in 2007, 21 percent were in people ages 50-plus, the only group besides those ages 20-29 to have an increase in diagnoses since 2005. The numbers certainly sugge
UNITED STATES: H1N1 Vaccine Trials in HIV-Infected People: United Press International (10.12.09) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009; Clinical trials of the 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine have begun among HIV-positive pregnant women to determine if the product safely elicits a protective immune response, the National Institutes of Health announced Friday. Another trial of the same test begins this week among HIV-infected children and youth, said Dr. Ant
ILLINOIS: Giving Gardasil to Boys Not Cost Effective: Study: Reuters (10.08.09) - Tuesday, October 13, 2009; Julie Steenhuysen; Assuming most girls are vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer, encouraging boys to get the vaccine is not cost-effective, concludes a recent report. There may be better uses and other health interventions that would increase health gains in the population, said Harvard School of Public Health researc
AUSTRALIA: Chief Health Officer Issues Hepatitis A Warning: Australian Associated Press (10.09.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Semi-dried tomatoes have been linked to several hepatitis A diagnoses in Victoria this week and should not be eaten unless thoroughly cooked, the state s chief health officer said on Friday. While Dr. John Carnie noted that the reason for the spike in cases remains unclear, the Department of Health and Human Services s
IRELAND: Irish Heroin Use 'National Crisis:' Charity: Agence France Presse (09.29.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; The drug addiction charity Merchants Quay Ireland announced recently that heroin use is on the rise, and it called for increased treatment and support services to help prevent the spread of HIV and hepatitis C through needle sharing. Last year, the group provided syringe-exchange services to more than 5,280 people, of
BAHAMAS: Number of New AIDS Cases Reported Last Year Declines: Freeport News (10.07.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Jasmin Bonimy; The number of reported HIV/AIDS cases and deaths declined last year in the Bahamas , health officials said. In 2008, 263 new HIV cases were reported, down slightly from 287 cases reported in 2007, said Dr. Perry Gomez, director of the national AIDS program. There were 185 AIDS cases in 2008, a drop from 221 cases the p
ARIZONA: AIDS Group Suspends Alternative-Care Service: Arizona Daily Star (Tucson) (10.08.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Jamar Younger; The Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation in Tucson has temporarily suspended its complementary therapies and alternative health care program due to a funding shortfall. SAAF offered the services to low-income people fighting the side effects of HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral therapy, said Michele Bart, the foundation s direct
CALIFORNIA: County AIDS Funding Partially Restored: Daily Democrat (Woodland) (10.09.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Melody Stone; Yolo County received no state funding for HIV testing, education, and prevention after state budget cuts earlier this year hit such programs particularly hard. However, the county did retain funding for surveillance and charting physician reports of HIV infection, said Sheila Allen, its HIV program coordinator. Using t
INDIA: A Study Comparing Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV Among Ex-Red-Light District and Non-Red-Light District Sex Workers After the Demolition of Baina Red-Light District: JAIDS Vol. 52; No. 2: P. 253-257 (10.09.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Maryam Shahmanesh, MA, MSc, MRCP; Sonali Wayal, MA, MSc; Andrew Copas, MSc, PhD; Vikram Patel, MD, PhD; David Mabey, DM, FRCP; Frances Cowan, MD, MSc, FRCP; Goa s red-light district was demolished in 2004. In the current study, the researchers compared HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) between sex workers who had been based in the Baina red-light district (ex-RLD-SWs) with those who had never worked in Baina (non-RLD-SWs). Using respondent-driven sampling, the
GLOBAL: Rocker Travis McCoy Raising Voice for AIDS Awareness: Miami Herald (10.07.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Jordan Levin; Travis McCoy, lead singer of the hip-hop/rock band Gym Class Heroes, is this year s special ambassador for MTV s Staying Alive Foundation (SAF), a youth-focused HIV/AIDS prevention campaign. The disease has touched him personally, having lost someone he loved to AIDS more than 15 years ago. At the time, McCoy was 11 or
ALABAMA: University of Alabama-Birmingham, Partners to Share Cervical Cancer Grant: Birmingham News (10.05.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Jeff Hansen; The University of Alabama-Birmingham s Comprehensive Cancer Center (UABCCC) recently received a five-year, $11.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for research in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer. Four experimental vaccines will be tested under the grant. The bulk o
UNITED STATES: US FDA Panel Backs Wider Use of Pfizer HIV Drug: Reuters (10.08.09) - Friday, October 09, 2009; Susan Heavey; Although some of its members expressed ambivalence and doubt, an advisory panel to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday voted 10-4 to endorse expanded use of Pfizer Inc. s HIV drug Selzentry (maraviroc). Selzentry is already approved for use, along with other HIV drugs, by adult patients who have been treated w
NORTH CAROLINA: Guilford Holds First HPV Clinics for Middle School Girls: MyFox8.com (Greensboro) (10.06.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Two Guilford County middle schools - Brown Summit Middle School and Lincoln Academy - on Tuesday held the first of several grant-funded clinics to administer the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil to girls in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Additional clinics were announced for Guilford Middle School and
MASSACHUSETTS: GLAD Opposes Elimination of Written Consent for HIV Testing in Massachusetts: Bay Windows (Boston) (10.07.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Hannah Clay Wareham; Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) has declared its opposition to the state Senate bill that would end the requirement that medical personnel obtain a patient s informed written consent prior to administering an HIV test. Testifying on Oct. 6 before the Joint Committee on Public Health, GLAD AIDS Projec
CALIFORNIA: Mallalieu's on a Mission to Teach Youth About Reality of HIV/AIDS: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (10.02.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Victor Morales; Frank Mallalieu hit a low point in 1996 when he was diagnosed with fully developed AIDS, after years of volunteering for AIDS service organizations and taking the high road most of his life. I was despondent, he said. At one point I remember thinking how during my whole life I did good things for other people and every
CALIFORNIA: Trans Latina Group Loses Funding: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.01.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; San Francisco s Department of Public Health recently awarded an HIV prevention and services grant to Instituto Familiar de la Raza, or the Latina Family Institute, to target transgender Latinas. The El/La Transgender Latina HIV Prevention Program (El/La) had previously held the city contract, but a change of its fiscal
CALIFORNIA: Contra Costa County AIDS Programs Reeling from Budget Cuts: Contra Costa Times (10.07.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Rick Radin; Contra Costa supervisors on Sept. 15 passed along nearly $1 million in state cuts to the county s AIDS program, and as a result seven staff members have been transferred out of the department. Due to the staff reduction, Patrick O Leary, who was diagnosed with AIDS in 1985, said he has lost the support he had in mainta
FRANCE: Low CD4 Cell Count Elevates Cancer Risk in Patients with HIV: Reuters Health Medical News (10.07.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Having a more compromised immune system is the biggest risk factor for both AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining cancers in HIV patients, a new study by French researchers finds. Noting that the relative roles of immunodeficiency, HIV viral load and cART [combination antiretroviral therapy] in the onset of individual ca
SOUTH AFRICA: Cervical Cancer Strikes Poor Women Hardest: Inter Press Service (10.02.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Miriam Mannak; Each year, 7,000 South African women develop cervical cancer, highlighting the need for better education, screening, and treatment. A key obstacle is the lack of knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV) and its link to cervical cancer. There is little awareness, said Linda Gail-Bekker of the Institute of Infectious D
UNITED STATES: Female Health's Condom Available, No US Retail Yet: Reuters (10.01.09) - Thursday, October 08, 2009; Susan Heavey; Though it was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in March, a new female condom has yet to gain a foothold in the retail market. FC2, made by Female Health, is available to state health agencies and nonprofit organizations but is not widely available in stores. Mary Ann Leeper, the company s senior strategic a
GEORGIA: AIDS Walk Seeks to Double Participants: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (10.02.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; Matt Schafer; Organizers of the 19th annual AIDS Walk Atlanta hope this year to double the number of walkers to 15,000-20,000 and to raise $1 million. We aren t comparing ourselves to last year because we didn t want to compare ourselves to a bad year, said Tracy Elliott, executive director of AID Atlanta. We re comparing ourselves
AUSTRALIA: Australian Prisoners in Need of Syringe Programs: Australian Associated Press (10.02.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; Delegates to the Anex 09 Australian Drugs Conference in Melbourne on Friday urged government health and corrections officials to adopt harm-reduction programs in prisons. There are some reports of needles being shared by as many as 100 prisoners, said John Ryan, CEO of Anex, an organization that promotes harm reduction
UNITED STATES: AIDS Study Flushes Out Hidden Virus, Pointing to Possible Cure: Bloomberg News (10.02.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; Simeon Bennett; Current HIV/AIDS drugs work by reducing the virus to undetectable levels but cannot eradicate it. Instead, HIV lies dormant in immune-system cells unreachable by medicines. Now, researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Howard Hughes Medical Institute say they have developed a way to lure out these latent reservoir
AUSTRALIA: Music Festival Fans Hear Safe Sex Message: Australian Associated Press (10.07.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; The proportion of youths and young adults testing for STDs and using condoms is increasing, according to a multi-year survey of music festival attendees in Melbourne. Dr. Margaret Hellard of the Burnet Institute in Melbourne and colleagues surveyed more than 5,000 people ages 16-29 at four Big Day Out music festivals s
AUSTRALIA: Needle Program a Success: The Age (Melbourne) (10.06.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; Julia Medew; St. Kilda s needle and syringe access program began operating 24 hours a day in late 2007. Since then, the Grey Street outreach remains the only one of its kind open every night in Victoria. Thanks to the additional hours, 1,000 more clients each month have access to sterile injection supplies, said Sue White, manager
CANADA: Cervical Cancer Program Deemed Successful: Waterloo Region Record (10.01.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; Johanna Weidner; Local efforts to vaccinate girls against human papillomavirus (HPV), the STD that causes cervical cancer, are going very well, said Lesley Rintche, manager of vaccine programs at Region of Waterloo Public Health. The provincial and regional vaccination program is now in its third year. Forty-nine percent of eighth-grad
UGANDA: New Bill to Protect People with HIV: New Vision (Kampala) (10.04.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; Madinah Tebajjukira; Uganda s Parliamentary committee on HIV/AIDS is working on the HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control Bill, which would provide workplace and civil liberties protections for infected persons. The committee is discussing the measure with stakeholders in regional and national consultations, after which it will be presented to P
UNITED STATES: Pfizer HIV Drug Seems Safe for New Use - FDA Staff: Reuters (10.06.09) - Wednesday, October 07, 2009; Susan Heavey; On Tuesday, the Food and Drug Administration said Pfizer s HIV drug Selzentry appears to be well tolerated in patients with a certain variation of HIV-1 who have not yet begun taking medications. Selzentry, also known by its generic name maraviroc, is already approved for use in combination with other drugs by treatmen
ARIZONA: AIDS Walk Takes Over Downtown Phonenix: ABC15.com (Phoenix) (10.04.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; Imani Randolph; Sunday s 5K AIDS Walk drew thousands of people to downtown Phonenix, who together raised more than $300,000 to be shared among 16 local AIDS service organizations. This year s AIDS Walk is extremely important in light of the economic struggles faced by many of our friends in the nonprofit field that are the main servic
CANADA: Hepatitis C 'Silent Epidemic': Doctor: Ottawa Citizen (10.06.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; Canwest News Service; Between 2006 and 2008, hepatitis C rates rose by 114 percent among Canadian women and by 76.6 percent among men. Dr. Didi Emokpare of Regina called the figures staggering and said little attention has been paid to the potentially deadly virus. Because hepatitis C infection is under-diagnosed, the actual number of cases
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa HIV Caseload Stable, Still Too High: Health Minister: Agence France Presse (10.05.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; Commenting on the release of a 2008 HIV prevalence study in which almost 40,000 women took part, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said, We seem to be losing the battle, but not yet the war. The prevalence among women aged 25 years and above has stabilized at high and unacceptable levels. The research, which was conduct
ALASKA: City's Lone Clinic for Heroin Addicts Halts Admissions: Anchorage Daily News (10.01.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; James Halpin; Anchorage s only methadone maintenance program is operating over its capacity and cannot absorb any new patients for treatment, say officials of the downtown Narcotic Drug Treatment Center. Until late September, NDTC was still accepting pregnant women wanting treatment on a priority basis. Most NDTC patients were using
FLORIDA: More than 1,800 Broward General Patients May Have Been Exposed to Blood-Borne Infection: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (10.06.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; Robert Nolin; Jaclyn Giovis; Broward General Medical Center officials are warning 1,851 patients who underwent cardiac stress tests from January 2004 until this September that they may have been exposed to HIV, hepatitis B or hepatitis C following the discovery that a nurse reused medical equipment intended for one-time use. In early September, a
UNITED STATES: Study Highlights HIV/AIDS Challenge in American Prison System: Science Daily (09.30.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; HIV/AIDS is nearly five times more prevalent in US prisons than in the general population. Though adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) can be strictly monitored in correctional settings, clinical monitoring becomes problematic upon prisoners release. Over a nine-year period, Dr. Nitika Pant Pai of the Research I
KENYA: New Visual Test Screens for Cervical Cancer: Inter Press Service (10.01.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; Susan Anyangu; In a bid to combat the increasing number of cervical cancer cases, government hospitals in Kenya are encouraging women to undergo an innovative free exam to detect precancerous lesions of the cervix. The low-cost method involves dilating the vaginal walls; applying a vinegar-based acetic acid; and performing a visual i
CANADA: Ban on Gay Blood Donors Is Unconstitutional, Man Argues in Counter-Suit: Canadian Press (10.05.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; Ottawa Sun; A man who lied about having sex with men so he could donate his blood had syphilis, an attorney representing the Canadian Blood Services told an Ontario Superior Court judge Monday. CBS is suing Kyle Freeman for lying during the donor screening process and donating blood 18 times. Freeman is counter-suing CBS, saying t
UNITED STATES: New Trial of HIV Vaccine in Gay Men Begins: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.01.09) - Tuesday, October 06, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; An AIDS vaccine trial has begun enrolling men who have sex with men (MSM) in 12 US cities. The HVTN 505 study is designed to see whether a two-part vaccine regimen decreases viral loads among participants who later become infected with HIV. It is designed to find cells already infected and reduce the amount of virus in
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Stepping Up for Clinic by Raising $800,000: Washington Post (10.04.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; N.C. Aizenman; Sunday s 23rd annual AIDS Walk Washington drew a crowd of more than 7,000 people who together raised almost $800,000 to benefit the HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment work of the Whitman-Walker Clinic. I really do feel that although our challenges are tough, the city has never been more energized and more mobilized, May
KENTUCKY: Sex Week: UK Campus Abuzz About Birds and Bees: Lexington Herald-Leader (10.02.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; Ryan Alessi; Lectures, panel discussions, explanations of sex toys, even a mile-long march by men in high heels to protest violence against women: They are all part of Sex Week at the University of Kentucky. Jason Hans, assistant professor of family studies and faculty adviser to Sex Week, said fun activities like sex toy presentat
ALABAMA: AIDS Alabama Gets $1 Million from Stimulus: Associated Press (10.05.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; AIDS Alabama is receiving $1 million in federal stimulus funds to provide housing for HIV-positive Alabamians. Housing- related services - including rental assistance, back rent, moving expenses, utility payments, and emergency hotel vouchers - will be made available to persons living with HIV and in need of help to av
MICHIGAN: Tests: 1 in 10 Students Suffering from STD: Muskegon Chronicle (10.04.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; Lynn Moore; During a recent screening initiative, 10 percent of local residents mostly ages 15-24 were found to have chlamydia, Public Health-Muskegon County officials said. PHMC received a state grant to administer the tests, and the campaign exceeded health officials expectations of screening 150 people. Of 202 young residents s
ITALY: Risk of Developing Specific AIDS-Defining Illnesses in Patients Co-infected with HIV and Hepatitis C Virus With or Without Liver Cirrhosis: Clinical Infectious Diseases Vol. 49; P. 612-622 (08.15.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; Antonella d'Arminio Monforte and others; The authors wrote that with the exception of lymphoma, there are few data concerning the risk of specific opportunistic diseases in patients with and without hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. In the current study, they evaluated the correlation between the occurrence of different AIDS-defining illnesses (ADIs) and chr
CANADA: Drop-In Program Aims to Help Sex-Trade Workers: Daily Herald-Tribune (Grande Prairie) (09.24.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; Crystal Rhyno; Opened a year ago, the HIV North Sex-Trade Women s Drop-In has provided a supportive space for about 70 female sex workers in the community. While the sex trade may not be very visible in Grande Prairie, it does exist and the women need support, said Brenda Yamkowy, executive director of the HIV North Society. The majo
CANADA: All-Party Support Sought for Life-Saving Cheap Drug Initiatives: Toronto Star (10.05.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; Tanya Talaga; Two bills that would ease poor countries access to medicine for AIDS, malaria and other deadly diseases are now working their way through Canada s Parliament. On Friday, Sen. Sharon Carstairs (Liberal) and Member of Parliament Judy Wasylycia- Leis (NDP) held a joint news conference in Winnipeg, saying all-party support
UNITED STATES: 7,000 Gay Men Help Study AIDS: Washington Post (09.29.09) - Monday, October 05, 2009; Lori Aratani; Launched in 1984 before there was a test for HIV, the Multicenter AIDS Study (MACS) began seeking gay men to participate in a study of this new disease. Since then, more than 7,000 men who have sex with men (MSM) recruited from four MACS cities have participated in the study, undergoing physicals twice a year and answe
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: AIDS Walk Washington Set for Oct. 3: Washington Blade (09.25.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; Joshua Lynsen; Mayor Adrian Fenty will take part in Saturday s AIDS Walk Washington both as a speaker and as a walker. The 5K event, which benefits Whitman-Walker Clinic, begins and ends at Freedom Plaza in downtown Washington. For registration information, visit www.aidswalkwashington.org.
NEW YORK: HIV/AIDS Rent Cap Urged in New York City: Advocate (10.01.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; Julie Bolcer; The New York City Council on Wednesday gave its unanimous backing to a state bill that would cap the percentage of income that poor people with HIV/AIDS must contribute to their rent. Under the proposal, clients of New York City s HIV/AIDS Services Administration would not have to spend more than 30 percent of their in
ZIMBABWE: HIV Rate in Zimbabwe Falling - but National AIDS Council Gets Scant Credit: Voice of America News (09.29.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; Sandra Nyaira; HIV prevalence in Zimbabwe has dropped from almost 25 percent in 2003 to 13.7 percent at present, but critics say the National AIDS Council should not get credit for the improvement. They charge that too much of NAC s budget goes for executive salaries and vehicles and too little to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. N
MASSACHUSETTS: Condoms Remain a Vital Tool in Preventing the Spread of HIV: Bay Windows (Boston) (09.28.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; Kenneth H. Mayer, MD; As someone who has cared for people living with HIV for almost 30 years, I have seen both the ravages of the epidemic and the successes of major improvements in HIV prevention and therapy. However, until we create a biomedical intervention that is 100 percent effective at stopping HIV transmission, using condoms durin
TEXAS: High STD Cases Prompt Local Group to Focus on Students: Newschannel10.com (Amarillo) (09.28.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; Sarah Synder; The director of the Midland Area AIDS Support organization said it will expand its services to include educating parents about HIV/AIDS, as young people in the Permian Basin are increasingly being diagnosed with the disease. Judy Warren said of the roughly 176 clients MAAS assists, half are ages 15-24. [Parents] don t
SOUTH AFRICA: Lower Risk of HIV Infection Among Circumcised MSM: Results from the Soweto Men's Study: IAS Conf on HIV Path, Treatment & Prevention 2009 (07.20.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; T. Lane; H.F. Raymond; S. Dladla; J. Rasenthe; H. Struthers; W. McFarland; J. McIntyre; Male circumcision has been found to reduce female-to-male HIV transmission through vaginal sex in randomized controlled trials. However, one recent meta-analysis of observational data found insufficient evidence of a protective effect with men who have sex with men (MSM), while noting the lack of data from high-prevale
UNITED KINGDOM: Cervical Cancer Jab Girl Died from Large Chest Tumor: Times (London) (10.01.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; David Rose; The 14-year-old girl who collapsed and died Monday shortly after receiving an injection of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix was suffering from cancer, according to information presented Thursday during an inquest at Coventry Magistrate s Court. The pathologist has confirmed today at the opening of the in
THAILAND: Volunteers Key to Success of Thai Vaccine Trials: Associated Press (09.27.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; Ambika Ahuja; Michael Casey; For six years, nearly 16,000 Thai housewives, factory workers, and laborers, among others, put aside their initial doubts and fears to participate in trials of an experimental AIDS vaccine. Their dedication paid off when American and Thai researchers announced the vaccine cut the risk of HIV infection by more than 31 p
NORTH CAROLINA: New Tool to Fight Syphilis? Walmart Gift Cards: MSNBC.com (09.14.09) - Friday, October 02, 2009; Brian Alexander; Forsyth County, N.C., has already recorded 140 syphilis cases this year, more than triple the number for 2008, and the poor economy may be partly to blame, say officials there. However, the economy also motivated many residents to get screened for the disease when the county Department of Public Health offered $10 Walm
CALIFORNIA: HIV Programs Cut Under New San Mateo County Budget: San Mateo County Times (09.30.09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; Shaun Bishop; San Mateo County Supervisors on Tuesday unanimously approved budget cuts totaling $16 million from county programs, including HIV prevention and education. The county health system s HIV education program in July received a $1.1 million cut under the state budget instead of an expected $1.6 million in funding. Under th
NEW MEXICO: Study Finds High Rate of Hepatitis Among Truckers: Associated Press (09.30.09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; New Mexico truck drivers were found to have a high rate of hepatitis C infection in a recent collaborative study conducted by the state Department of Health, CDC, and the Association for Prevention Teaching and Research. Among 652 long-distance truck drivers enrolled from 11 truck stops between 2004 and 2006, 14 percen
NEW YORK: Healthy Sexuality Focus of Campaign: Post-Standard (Syracuse) (09.30.09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; Maureen Nolan; A three-year, $200,000 Allyn Foundation grant aims to help Syracuse- and Rochester-area parents educate their children about sex. The effort, Real Life. Real Talk, has also been rolled out in five other communities nationwide. On Tuesday, a 35-member coalition representing community agencies, parents, teens, faith-base
PENNSYLVANIA: Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force Develops Innovative Program to Reach Key Audiences: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (09.27.09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; Jessica Turnbull; Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force s Girlfriends Project (GP) has received national attention, thanks to its innovative programming having been presented at CDC s recent 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta. In a prevention-oriented take on the traditional Tupperware party, a host invites friends and family to he
UNITED STATES: Gonococcal, Chlamydia and Syphilis Infection Positivity Among MSM Attending a Large Primary Care Clinic, Boston, 2003-2004: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 36; No. 8: P. 507-511 (08..09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; Matthew J. Mimiaga; Donna J. Helms; Sari L. Reisner; Chris Grasso; Thomas Bertrand; Debra J. Mosure; Hillard Weinstock; Catherine McLean; Kenneth H. Mayer; Increases in syphilis and rectal gonorrhea have been reported in the past decade among US men who have sex with men (MSM), the authors noted; however, limited [STD] positivity data are available on MSM who receive their health care from primary care or general medical clinics. In the current study, the researchers set
SOUTH AFRICA: Challenge to South Africa's Policies on HIV- Infected: Business Day (South Africa) (09.28.09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; Wilson Johwa; A new report urges South Africa to reconsider its policy of deporting migrants infected with HIV and other life- threatening illnesses. In Returned to Risk: Deportation of HIV-Positive Migrants, Human Rights Watch, Deutsche AIDS-Life, the European AIDS Treatment Group, and the African HIV Policy Network document the e
OHIO: Groups Call for More Sex Education: Dayton Daily News (09.28.09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; Laura A. Bischoff; A coalition of 31 women s groups and health organizations is backing legislation that would require Ohio schools to embrace comprehensive sex education, among other items. State Sens. Teresa Fedor (D-Toledo) and Sue Morano (D-Lorain) plan to introduce the Prevention First Act in October. It marks the third time Fedor,
UNITED STATES: San Francisco Could Lose Millions in AIDS Funding: San Francisco Chronicle (10.01.09) - Thursday, October 01, 2009; Drew Joseph; The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on Wednesday voted unanimously for a four-year extension of the funding provided under the Ryan White CARE Act of 1990. However, according to aides to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), San Francisco could lose up to $5.3 million for HIV/AIDS care an
KENYA: Kenya Seeks to Restore Public Confidence in Condoms: Agence France Presse (09.29.09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; The head of Kenya s National Quality Control Laboratory is seeking to reassure the public that condoms are safe and effective after a faulty brand was withdrawn from the market. Hezekiah Chepkwony said Tuesday a condom-testing machine from Australia had been purchased by the UN Population Fund to ensure quality control
UNITED STATES: Panel Votes to Restore Abstinence Education Money: Associated Press (09.30.09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; On Tuesday evening, the Senate Finance Committee voted 12-11 to restore $50 million in annual federal abstinence-only funds. The vote came despite objections from committee chair Sen. Max Baucus (D-Montana) and a push by President Barack Obama to direct abstinence money to broader teen pregnancy- reduction programs. Tw
CHINA: Association Between Testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Changes in Risk Behaviors Among Injecting Drug Users in Southern China: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 36; No. 8: P. 473-477 (08..09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; Xia Jin and others; In their introduction, the authors cite a growing need for research in China regarding post-test risk behavior differences among injecting drug users that explores the effect of various testing modes (non-voluntary vs. voluntary) and other related factors on changes in post-test risk behaviors. The subjects of the
KENYA: Anti-AIDS Campaigners Now Turn to Positive Advertising: Business Daily Africa (Nairobi) (09.23.09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; Victor Juma; Informed by social marketing research, anti-AIDS campaigners in Kenya are turning away from fear-based ads in favor of more positive approaches. One well-known ad, once featured prominently in medical settings, used monsters to represent the AIDS virus. Another presented images of a man and woman, tracking them from th
JAMAICA: How AIDS Became a Caribbean Crisis: The Atlantic (09.22.09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; Micah Fink; The Caribbean has the highest rate of new HIV infections after sub-Saharan Africa, and AIDS is now its leading cause of death among adults. Part of the region s susceptibility to HIV/AIDS is pervasive homophobia, which drives the epidemic underground, helping to spread infections and make education and outreach more di
GLOBAL: HIV/AIDS Treatment for Poor Grows Tenfold in Five Years: UN: Agence France Presse (09.30.09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; By 2008, the number of HIV/AIDS patients in low- and middle- income countries who were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ARVs) had grown by 10-fold over five years, according to a UN report issued today. The largest increase, 39 percent, was in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2008, 4.03 million poor patients these countries wer
UNITED STATES: FDA Delays Ruling on Glaxo Cervical Cancer Vaccine: Associated Press (09.29.09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; Matthew Perrone; The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday was expected to announce its decision on whether to allow GlaxoSmithKline s vaccine Cervarix to be marketed in the United States . A GSK spokesperson, however, said FDA decided instead to delay its decision and continue its review. Although the delay came one day after a
IOWA; NEBRASKA: Iowa, Other States Scramble to Meet HIV/AIDS Prescription Needs: Iowa Independent (Grinnell) (09.28.09) - Wednesday, September 30, 2009; Lynda Waddington; As Congress considers reauthorizing the federal Ryan White CARE Act, eight states have waiting lists for their AIDS Drug Assistance Programs. Iowa cleared an earlier backlog of more than 100 HIV/AIDS patients during 2004-2005 with a state appropriation, but since then its ADAP funding has remained level or been reduced
NEW YORK: AIDS Walk 2009: Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) (09.28.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Sunday s AIDS Walk 2009 drew about 1,000 people to Albany s Washington Park. Before the event, a new NAMES Project quilt panel was dedicated to the memory of 32 Albany Medical Center outpatients who have died of AIDS since last year s walk; it was created by AMC employees. For more information, visit www.aidswalk-capit
UNITED STATES: US House Approves Measure to Extend Ryan White Funding for 30 Days: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (09.25.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Laura Douglas-Brown; The continuing resolution passed by the US House on Friday extends funding to the legislative branch for 30 days, and it includes a provision to fund the Ryan White CARE Act. The act disburses $2.1 billion to HIV/AIDS service providers around the country; it was reauthorized in 2006 but includes a sunset provision endi
INDIANA: AIDS Remains Deadly Threat; Task Force to Raise Awareness with 25th Anniversary Events: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (09.24.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Devon Haynie; From October through May, AIDS Task Force will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a series of events designed to remind people that HIV/AIDS is a serious disease that continues to take lives. Many people think AIDS is no longer a problem, said ATF Executive Director Gregory Manifold during a press conference. But the
CALIFORNIA: Hanford Clinic May End HIV Treatment: Fresno Bee (09.28.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Lewis Griswold; The HIV treatment program at the Hanford public health clinic is expected to shut down by the end of October. Kings County Department of Public Health Director Keith Winkler said the program s closure is not certain, but he acknowledged that its state funding had been cut and the county could save $89,000 a year by end
TAIWAN: Universal HBV Vaccination Protects Asian Children from Liver Cancer: Reuters Health Medical News (09.16.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Infection with hepatitis B virus is a major cause of hepatocellular carcinoma. Since 1984, when a universal childhood HBV vaccination program was instituted in Taiwan , the incidence of liver cancer among Taiwanese children has declined considerably. Researchers led by Mei-Hwei Chang of the National Taiwan University H
UNITED KINGDOM: UK Teenager 'Unlikely' to Have Died from Vaccine: Reuters (09.29.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Matthew Jones; Health experts say a British teenager who died on Monday shortly after receiving the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix at school likely did not die as a result of the drug. I think once we get into the investigation, we may discover there is another cause of her death, said Dr. Caron Grainger, joint director
AUSTRALIA: Poor Sex Education Creates a Generation of Vulnerable Women: Sunday Age (Melbourne) (09.27.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Mark Russell; In an online survey of more than 500 Australian women ages 20- 34, two-thirds reported having unprotected sex, putting them at risk for unplanned pregnancy and STDs. The findings of the survey by Sexual Health and Family Planning Australia (SHFPA) were released on Sept. 26 to mark World Contraception Day. Among all par
THAILAND: HIV Vaccine Success May Take Decade to Unravel Why It Works: Bloomberg News (09.28.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Tom Randall; Last week s startling good news from an HIV vaccine trial in Thailand raises many questions about why the shots reduced HIV infection risk by 31 percent compared with a placebo. [The details of the experiment were summarized in CDC Prevention News Update on Sept. 24]. The theory was that the Sanofi-Aventis experimenta
TEXAS: Some Texas Districts Change Tune on Abstinence-Only Sex Education: Austin American-Statesman (09.27.09) - Tuesday, September 29, 2009; Brenda Bell; As the Obama administration shifts federal funding away from abstinence-only programs in favor of other approaches proven to lower teen pregnancy rates, some Texas school districts are moving to adopt comprehensive sex education curricula. A Texas State University study released in February found that less than 5 perce
CALIFORNIA: HIV/AIDS Nonprofit Group Receives $10,000 Grant: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (09.20.09) - Monday, September 28, 2009; Victor Morales; The Kaiser Foundation Hospital has awarded a grant of $10,000 to Working Wonders, the Cathedral City-based AIDS service organization announced recently. The nonprofit said it will use the funds for a program designed to increase knowledge of HIV/AIDS and STDs among at-risk youth.
VIETNAM: Vietnam Birth Trend May Fuel Sex Work, Trafficking: UN: Reuters (09.09.09) - Monday, September 28, 2009; John Ruwitch; The growing number of male babies born in Vietnam in recent years could lead to an increase in sex work and human trafficking, according to a report from the UN Population Fund. In 2000, 106.2 boys were born in Vietnam for every 100 girls; however, by 2008, the ratio had risen to 112.1 boys per 100 girls. If these tren
GLOBAL: Call to Eradicate Cervical Cancer: Press Association (United Kingdom) (09.24.09) - Monday, September 28, 2009; An expert from the Cancer Research UK Center for Epidemiology in London believes that the combination of vaccination and continued screenings could wipe out cervical cancer in five decades. Professor Jack Cuzick raised this hope in his address to the recent joint 15th Congress of the European Cancer Organization and 34
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Newly Opened Clinic to Offer Hundreds Free HIV/AIDS Care: Washington Post (09.25.09) - Monday, September 28, 2009; Darryl Fears; On Thursday, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation opened a free HIV/AIDS treatment clinic at 2141 K St., Ste. 606. AHF, the country s largest nonprofit provider of HIV/AIDS care, came to the District because it is the epicenter of the US epidemic, said Director Michael Weinstein. The opening of the AHF Blair Underwood Health
CHINA: High HIV Prevalence Detected in 2006 and 2007 Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in China's Largest Municipality: An Alarming Epidemic in Chongqing, China: JAIDS (09..09):Vol. 52; No. 1: P. 79-85 - Monday, September 28, 2009; Liangui Feng, MD, MS; and others; In many large cities in China , HIV prevalence data among men who have sex with men (MSM) show striking increases in recent years. To help target HIV prevention in this population, the current study surveyed Chongqing MSM at community venues and cruising areas in three districts in 2006-07 and sought to determine HIV p
GLOBAL: HIV/AIDS Presents New and Different Security Threats, Says Report: Voice of America News (09.22.09) - Monday, September 28, 2009; Joe DeCapua; Nine years ago, the UN Security Council made HIV/AIDS a top priority, as the disease was beginning to be taken seriously as an international security risk. The alarmism of a decade ago has dissipated, said Alex de Waal, program director at the Social Science Research Council in New York. Armies are not imploding. State
COLORADO: Surgery Tech in Hepatitis C Cases Pleads Guilty: Associated Press (09.26.09) - Monday, September 28, 2009; Ivan Moreno; Avoiding a trial scheduled to start Monday, the surgery technician who infected some 16 patients with hepatitis C entered into a plea agreement on Friday that calls for a 20- year prison term. Kristen Diane Parker, 26, pled guilty to five counts of tampering with a consumer product and five counts of obtaining a contro
UNITED STATES: Inspector General: Improvements in VA Endoscopic Equipment Use: Associated Press (09.18.09) - Monday, September 28, 2009; Kimberly Hefling; In a newly released report, the Veterans Affairs inspector general (IG) said surprise visits to 128 VA medical facilities found all were following infection-control procedures for endoscopy equipment. All but one demonstrated that staff had been properly trained in using the devices, the report said. That hospital, Whi
UNITED STATES: Airline Tickets to Raise Cash for UN Health Effort: Associated Press (09.23.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Starting early next year, US travelers will have the chance to donate $2 or more to the Millennium Foundation, a Geneva-based group working with the UN to help fight AIDS and other health concerns in developing countries. The three major ticket distributors - Amadeus, Travelport, and Sabre Holdings Corp. - have agreed
MALAYSIA: Malaysia to Introduce Program Against Cervical Cancer: Xinhua News Agency (09.25.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Today in Kuala Lumpur, Health Minister Liow Tiong Lai announced a new human papillomavirus vaccination program for Malaysian girls. The effort has not been finalized, but it will likely be school-based and reach 300,000 girls, said Liow. The HPV vaccine protects against strains of the STD that cause the majority of cer
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe's HIV Rate Falls: Government: Agence France Presse (09.24.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Zimbabwe s estimated HIV infection rate has dropped to 13.7 percent in people ages 15-49, down from 14.1 percent last year, said Health Minister Henry Madzorera. However, concerted efforts are needed to push the rate down further, he said. We have to redouble our efforts and commitment and keep the sense of hope that i
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: HIV-Positive Blogger Aims to Inspire and Spread Hope: Washington Post (09.24.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Yamiche Alcindor; Shawn Decker was just 11 when he was diagnosed with HIV and told he had two years to live. But on Oct. 3, Decker, now 34, will receive the Whitman-Walker Clinic s Courage Award at the opening ceremonies of the 23rd annual AIDS Walk Washington. Decker has hemophilia and acquired HIV during a treatment for the condition.
MISSOURI: HPV Vaccine Free in Columbia until December: The Maneater (University of Missouri-Columbia) (09.22.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Kaylen Ralph; The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil continues to be offered for free at the Columbia/Boone County Health Clinic thanks to a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health (MFFH). Any female age nine to 26 can receive the three-shot series. The Health Clinic administers the injections for the Family Health Ce
UNITED STATES: Findings May Explain Gap in Cancer Survival: New York Times (08.04.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Roni Caryn Rabin; University of Maryland researchers investigating throat cancer and squamous-cell cancers of the head and neck have made a discovery that may help explain why white cancer patients often outlive their black peers even when they have what appear to be the same cancers. Cases of throat and head and neck cancers have spike
AUSTRALIA: Backpackers Quizzed on Sex, Booze Habits: Australian Associated Press (09.09.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Danny Rose; In a survey of more than 430 backpackers in hostels across Sydney, researchers found many engaged in binge drinking and had multiple recent sexual partners. Participants were about equally men and women in number and ages 18-30, and about 40 percent were from the United Kingdom . There was significant alcohol use - 33
UTAH: 99 AIDS Patients to Lose Drug Subsidy: Salt Lake Tribune (09.24.09) - Friday, September 25, 2009; Sheena Mcfarland; Facing a $375,000 deficit, Utah s AIDS Drug Assistance Program is not accepting new applicants, and tighter income rules mean that around 100 patients receiving services will lose some form of the subsidy. State Department of Health projections for ADAP did not foresee a 45 percent increase in applications this year co
FLORIDA: Group Sponsoring Three-Day Conference on AIDS/HIV Awareness: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (09.23.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; C. Ron Allen; The Ujima Men s Collective, a support and HIV/AIDS education group for black men who have sex with men, holds its fifth annual conference in West Palm Beach this week. The three-day HIV/AIDS awareness conference will offer workshops and seminars on advocacy, leadership, health and wellness, spirituality, and relationsh
MALAWI: World Bank Gives Malawi $30 Million to Fight AIDS: Agence France Presse (09.22.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; On Tuesday, the World Bank announced it has given Malawi a $30 million grant to prevent HIV infections and rapidly expand access to antiretroviral drugs. A lot still needs to be done with the aim of slowing infection rates and bringing down the prevalence rate of HIV in Malawi, said Tim Gilbo, the bank s director to Ma
WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Center Gets AIDS Grant: Windy City Times (Chicago) (09.16.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; The National Institute of Mental Health recently awarded a five-year, $11.16 million grant to the Medical College of Wisconsin s Center for AIDS Intervention Research. CAIR, one of five such HIV behavioral research centers in the country, received the grant for its work on HIV prevention among high- risk populations, i
THAILAND: AIDS Vaccine Experiment Yields Unanticipated Positive Results: Washington Post (09.24.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; David Brown; Though its results were barely significant on statistical grounds, an experiment in Thailand has demonstrated, for the first time, a measurable protective effect of an AIDS vaccine. Administered as a series of six prime and booster shots, the vaccine reduced the risk of HIV infection by about one-third compared to a co
AUSTRALIA: Australian General Practitioners on New Front Line of Chlamydia Testing: Australian Associated Press (09.08.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; Danny Rose; To reduce a chlamydia infection rate that has risen over the past decade in Australia , more than 200 general practitioners in 70 clinics in Victoria will be routinely asking young adult patients to test for the STD. The University of Melbourne project, called the Australian Chlamydia Control Effectiveness Pilot (ACCEP
AFRICA: UN, Non-Governmental Organizations to Fight HIV Mother-to-Child Transmission in Africa: Agence France Presse (09.22.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; On Monday, as world leaders were gathering in New York City for the UN General Assembly session, UNAIDS announced the signing of a partnership deal designed to eliminate mother-to- child HIV transmission in Africa. The goal of the deal is to correct the glaring inequality faced by children in Africa, the epicenter of t
GLOBAL: Merck Gives $500 Million of Vaccine to Poorer Nations: Bloomberg News (09.23.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; Shannon Pettypiece; Merck & Co. announced Wednesday it will donate more than $500 million of its human papillomavirus Gardasil vaccine to the Clinton Global Initiative - enough to provide 1.7 million women the three-shot vaccination. Doses of the vaccine, which protects against HPV strains linked to 70 percent of cervical cancers, w
TENNESSEE: STDs on Rise for Tennessee Women: The Tennessean (Nashville) (09.22.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; A recent state health report card finds cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis increased among women - particularly black women - from 2002 to 2007. The reason for the rise is unclear, said Dr. Katherine Hartmann, director of women s health research at Vanderbilt University, noting that the 2009 Tennessee Women s
UNITED STATES: US Closer to Lifting HIV Travel Ban: Washington Blade (09.23.09) - Thursday, September 24, 2009; Chris Johnson; A new directive from the Obama administration may indicate that the United States is about to drop the longstanding policy prohibiting foreign nationals with HIV from entering the country. On Tuesday, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a memo instructing its officers to place a hold on all green car
SOUTH AFRICA: Men, Boys Join Fight Against HIV: The Sowetan (09.08.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; Zinhle Mapumulo; A new campaign, Brothers for Life, seeks to encourage males to actively fight the spread of HIV. The outreach tackles a range of issues, including the risks of having multiple, concurrent sex partners; men s limited involvement in parenthood; and low levels of HIV knowledge, testing, and serostatus disclosure. We are h
UNITED STATES: FDA OKs Second HIV Donor Screening Test: United Press International (09.21.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; The Food and Drug Administration has approved a new test, the Abbott Prism HIV O Plus assay, that detects HIV antibodies in donated blood and organs. The test is one of five that run on Abbott s fully automated Prism System. FDA said the test identifies antibodies to HIV type 1, groups M and O, and to HIV type 2. It is
CALIFORNIA: San Diego HIV/AIDS Organizations to Lose More than $1 Million in Critical HIV Funding: Gay & Lesbian Times (San Diego) (09.17.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; Corri Planck; California s nearly $83 million in state HIV/AIDS funding cuts are now being felt at the local level, which organizers say makes this year s AIDS Walk San Diego all the more important for more than two-dozen area agencies. We are still trying to understand the impact these budget cuts will have on San Diego s HIV/AIDS
CALIFORNIA: County's Social Services Slashed by Another $3 Million: Contra Costa Times (09.16.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; Rick Radin; On Sept. 15, the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to slash more than $3 million from health programs, including those promoting HIV prevention and assisting AIDS patients. This latest cut is in addition to an earlier reduction of $20 million in the health department s budget this year. The red
ILLINOIS: Federal Grant Boosts HIV Research in Chicago: Chi-Town Daily News (Chicago) (09.09.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; Alex Parker; In Chicago, the Developmental Center for AIDS Research won a five-year, $3.75 million grant from the National Institutes of Health, affiliates of the center recently announced. DCAR will integrate basic science, clinical studies, and research on HIV/AIDS with three concentrations: women, aging, and drug use. DCAR resea
TANZANIA: Low Maternal Vitamin D Increases the Risk of HIV Transmission to Offspring: Reuters Health Medical News (09.08.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; A new study of HIV-positive pregnant women finds that low maternal vitamin D levels are linked with a higher risk of viral transmission and an increase in infant mortality. In Tanzania , 884 HIV-positive pregnant women participating in a trial of vitamin supplementation were monitored to assess pregnancy outcomes and c
CANADA: Hepatitis Myths Put Canadians at Risk, Survey Warns: Gazette (Montreal) (09.16.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; Meagan Fitzpatrick, Canwest News Service; A new poll by the Canadian Liver Foundation (CLF) shows many Canadians underestimate their risk of hepatitis A or B infection. The survey found most respondents erroneously believe that where they eat and shop will help protect them from food-borne hepatitis A and that the liver diseases are primarily contracted outsid
PENNSYLVANIA: Restrictions Lifted on Sale of Needles: Intelligencer Journal/New Era (Lancaster) (09.18.09) - Wednesday, September 23, 2009; Jeff Hawkes; The Pennsylvania Board of Pharmacy has lifted its restriction on non-prescription sales of hypodermic needles, effective Sept. 12. The board changed the policy in an effort to reduce the risk of blood-borne infections spreading through needle- sharing among injection drug users (IDUs). Drug store customers can purchase
TENNESSEE: Fundraising Underway for Nashville CARES AIDS Walk: Out & About (Nashville) (08.27.09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; The nonprofit Nashville CARES, which provides HIV/AIDS education, advocacy, and support services in 17 counties of Middle Tennessee, is preparing to hold its largest annual fundraiser. The Nashville CARES AIDS Walk will take place Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park i
IOWA: Iowa Releases Annual Disease Report: Associated Press (09.09.09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; According to new statistics from the state Department of Public Health, Iowa logged 109 hepatitis A cases in 2008, a 294 percent increase over the three-year average from 2005 to 2007. Despite an extensive investigation, no common source of infection was discovered. In line with national trends, the report noted a 15 p
AUSTRALIA: Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Infection in Urban Sydney Women: Prevalence and Predictors: Sexual Health Vol. 6; No. 3: P. 241-244 (08..09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; Paula McDonagh; Nathan Ryder; Anna M. McNulty; Eleanor Freedman; Urban Sydney has a very low female gonorrhea notification rate. With increasing use of nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), demonstrating a low prevalence of gonorrhea in women would have important implications for the reliability of positive results, the study authors noted. Thus, they sought to determine the prev
UNITED STATES: Alcohol Use and Antiretroviral Adherence: Review and Meta-Analysis: JAIDS doi:10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181b18b6e (08..09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; Christian S. Hendershot, PhD; Susan A. Stoner, PhD; David W. Pantalone, PhD; Jane M. Simoni, PhD; Noting that alcohol use is frequently implicated as a factor in non-adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the study authors performed a meta-analysis to provide a quantitative evaluation of the association between alcohol use and adherence by aggregating findings across studies and examining potent
UNITED STATES: Men's Sex Lives May Suffer on Hepatitis C Therapy: ABC News (09.16.09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; Reuters Health; All three components of sexual health - desire, function, and satisfaction - may be negatively impacted for men taking standard therapy for chronic hepatitis C, new research shows. Men planning to receive peginterferon and ribavirin should be counseled about the possibility of a decline in sexual health during treatmen
AUSTRALIA: Antibiotic-Resistant TB on the Rise: Australian Associated Press (09.20.09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; Danny Rose; New research shows cases of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR TB) are increasing in Victoria, a trend with significant implications for public health policy and planning, according to the study s investigators. Caroline Lavender of the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory and colleagues reviewed provi
AUSTRALIA: Alert as Infection Rates Soar: Sydney Morning Herald (09.09.09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; Louise Hall; Recent Australian STD surveillance shows many young heterosexuals and men who have sex with men (MSM) are having unprotected sex, pointing to the need for education about condom use, officials say. STD data for Australia were released during the recent Australasian HIV/AIDS Conference in Brisbane. The rate of hepatitis
NEW YORK: Tool to Offer Fast Help for HIV Exposure: New York Times (09.08.09) - Tuesday, September 22, 2009; Roni Caryn Rabin; A new computer application, or widget, developed by doctors at St. Vincent s Hospital in Manhattan will allow emergency room physicians throughout the state to access up-to-date guidelines for post-exposure prophylactic (PEP) HIV treatment. The state AIDS Institute-funded initiative is currently being distributed to mo
CALIFORNIA: HIV and Aging Forum: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (09.17.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; Cynthia Laird; A town hall meeting entitled The Consequences and Management of HIV and Aging will take place on Sept. 24 from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St. The meeting will seek to address challenges facing persons with HIV who, thanks to effective drug therapies, are surviving into their
SOUTH AFRICA: Government to Miss HIV/AIDS Drug Target: Ottawa Citizen (09.16.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; Canwest News Service; Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi reported on Sept. 15 that South Africa will not meet its announced target of providing HIV/AIDS drugs to 80 percent of patients by 2011. We are now covering 700,000 people, Motsoaledi said. Unfortunately, it is only 50 percent of the number that has been targeted. The drug distribution
UNITED STATES: Hepatitis A Vaccine Advised for Contacts of Some Adopted Children: Reuters Health Medical News (09.17.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recently released information to complement its Feb. 25 recommendation regarding hepatitis A virus vaccination for household members and other close personal contacts of adopted children from HAV-endemic countries. In making its recommendation, ACIP considered the
UNITED NATIONS: UN to Address Rape as a Tool of War: Washington Times (09.14.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; Betsy Pisik; At its annual gathering of world leaders later this month, the UN is expected to review the implementation of Resolution 1820, which outlaws conflict-related sexual violence. The United States intends to call for strengthening the resolution in a session chaired by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, US Ambassad
CANADA: Hope for Cheap HIV Drugs Dims: Toronto Star (09.19.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; Tanya Talaga; A five-year-old Canadian initiative to send cheap generic drugs to countries hard-hit by HIV/AIDS is mired in debate over whether the government program is too cumbersome to be effective. Canada s Access to Medicines Regime (CAMR) received all-party support and praise from the UN when Liberals introduced it five years
CANADA: Young, Single Adults Less Likely than Teens to Use Condoms, Canadian Researchers Say: Ottawa Citizen (09.10.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; Mike Barber; Single young Canadians tend to use condoms less and less as they grow older, putting them at increased risk of STDs, according to a new study. The Statistics Canada study utilized data from the Canadian Community Health Surveys, and it focused on young adults who were neither married nor in common-law partnerships.
AUSTRALIA: Number of Australians with HIV Steady: Australian Associated Press (09.09.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; Danny Rose; In recent years, new HIV diagnoses in Australia have plateaued at about 1,000 cases annually. In 2008, Australia recorded 995 new HIV diagnoses, a slight decline from 1,051 diagnoses in 2007, which experts attributed to a change in data collation. The Australia Annual Surveillance Report 2009 was released at the recent
MISSISSIPPI: ACLU Files Suit over Mississippi Abstinence Summit: Associated Press (09.09.09) - Monday, September 21, 2009; Shelia Byrd; On Sept. 9 in US District Court in Jackson, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed suit against the state Department of Human Services over a 2009 abstinence summit it says featured Bible teachings and religious music. The event was organized by DHS Just Wait Abstinence Unit. According to the lawsuit, the prog
CANADA: AIDS Walk for Life Goes Saturday: Daily Herald-Tribune (09.17.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; Christopher Mills; ScotiaBank s AIDS Walk for Life takes place across Canada Sept. 12-20. In Grand Prairie, the walk will be this Saturday, and this year s goal is to raise $20,000 (US $18,600). Two local participating ScotiaBank branches in the city are also accepting donations for the campaign: Customers can leave spare change on ribbo
MALAWI: Gay Rights Way to Fight AIDS in Malawi - Official: Reuters (09.15.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; Mabvuto Banda; Recognizing the rights of Malawi s gay population is essential if the spread of HIV is to be checked, the president s secretary for nutrition and HIV/AIDS said Tuesday. There is a need to incorporate a human rights approach in the delivery of HIV and AIDS services to such risk groups like men who have sexual intercours
OKLAHOMA: University of Oklahoma Offers HPV Vaccine to Female Students: University Wire (09.16.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; LeighAnne Manwarren, Oklahoma Daily; The University of Oklahoma s Health Services is now offering female students vaccination against human papillomavirus. Gardasil is given in three injections and protects against HPV strains linked to 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts. Each shot costs $148 and may be charged to the bursar ac
CALIFORNIA: HIV Prevention Planning Council Endorses Latino Prevention Plan: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (09.17.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; By a unanimous vote, the city s HIV Prevention Planning Council recently endorsed several proposals to fight HIV among Latino men who have sex with men (MSM). The Latino Action Plan was crafted with input from several researchers and service providers, as well as 157 Latino MSM who were recruited from community venues.
UNITED STATES: Condom Use and High-Risk Sexual Acts in Adult Films: A Comparison of Heterosexual and Homosexual Films: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 51: P. S152- S156 (04..09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; Corita R. Grudzen, MD, MSHS; Marc N. Elliott, PhD; Peter R. Kerndt, MD, MPH; Mark A. Schuster, MD, PhD; Robert H. Brook, MD, ScD; Lillian Gelberg, MD, MSPH; The study authors compared the prevalence of condom use during a variety of sexual acts portrayed in homosexual and heterosexual adult films to assess compliance with state Occupational Health and Safety Administration regulations. From Aug. 1, 2005, to July 31, 2006, 50 heterosexual and 50 male homosexual films were r
AFGHANISTAN: Afghan Addicts Risk Triggering AIDS Epidemic: CNN.com (09.14.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; Nic Robertson; Afghanistan has long been the major supplier of heroin in the world, with poppy cultivation doubling since 2001. The Taliban government toppled that year once outlawed the crop, but now uses it for funding despite international efforts to curtail production. AIDS experts worry the disease will quickly overtake local
UNITED KINGDOM: Almost 90 Percent of Girls Take Up Anti-Cancer Jab: Belfast Telegraph (09.17.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; Victoria O'Hara; Since its launch in September 2008, a human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in Northern Ireland has enjoyed high uptake: Nearly 90 percent of girls ages 12-13 have received the first dose, with 85 percent and 83 percent, respectively, getting the second and third doses. In announcing the figures, Health Mi
CALIFORNIA: Released California Prison Inmates at Risk for More Health Problems: San Jose Mercury News (09.06.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; April Dembosky; Federal judges recently found health care in California s prison system so poor as to be unconstitutional. Lacking any other solution, they ordered a reduction in the prison population. Over the next two years, tens of thousands of state prison inmates may be released - including many who have hepatitis C, tuberculosis
UNITED STATES: Third of Teen Girls Get Cancer Vaccine: Newsday (New York) (09.18.09) - Friday, September 18, 2009; David Olmos, Bloomberg News; New estimates from CDC indicate that 37.2 percent of US females ages 13 to 17 received an initial dose of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine in 2008. The comparable figure for 2007 was 25.1 percent. Administered in three shots over a six-month period, the Gardasil vaccine protects against four strains of HPV: two that
ILLINOIS: AIDS Walk/Run Oct. 3: Windy City Times (Chicago) (09.16.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; Registration is continuing for AIDS Run & Walk Chicago 2009, scheduled for Oct. 3 in Grant Park. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago has announced it will give 100 percent of all funds raised by CommunityDirect teams back to participating AIDS service organizations. To be eligible, groups must belong to AFC s Service Pr
MISSOURI: STD Center Has Helped 1,500 St. Louis-Area Youth: Associated Press (09.17.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; On Thursday afternoon in St. Louis, 17 young people will be recognized for completing a leadership training program at Supporting Positive Opportunities for and with Teens, a drop- in community center known as The Spot. The center offers HIV and STD testing to anyone age 13 to 24. It opened just one year ago and has al
ETHIOPIA: Ethiopians Offered Free HIV Tests by Text Message: ABC News (09.08.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; Barry Malone, Reuters; Ahead of New Year s Day 2002 - celebrated on Sept. 11, 2009, under their nation s 13-month calendar - millions of Ethiopians received a text message urging them to be tested for HIV. New Year! New Life! Test for HIV, test your partner, get your children tested and brighten the future of your family! said the message se
CALIFORNIA: State Cuts Lead to Desert AIDS Project Layoffs: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (09.10.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; Nicole C. Brambila; In the aftermath of AIDS program funding cuts by the Legislature and the governor, the Desert AIDS Project this summer laid off a dozen full- and part-time education and outreach staff. DAP lost approximately $427,000 in state grants for these programs. We did lose, basically, our education department, said DAP spokesp
UNITED STATES: Study Shows Evidence Linking HPV-Related Cancers with Immunosuppression Levels: Oncology Nursing News (09.03.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; Tasheema Prince; A new study finds that people with AIDS are at increased risk of developing cancers associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and that this risk increases as the patients level of immunosuppression rises. The researchers accessed data on 499,230 persons diagnosed with AIDS between Jan. 1, 1980, and Dec. 31,
UNITED STATES: Screening Colonoscopies Urged for HIV-Infected Patients: Reuters Health Medical News (08.20.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; A new study finds that HIV-positive patients have a higher prevalence of colonic neoplasms and should be offered screening colonoscopy. Although non-AIDS defining malignancies are rapidly increasing as HIV-infected subjects live longer, little is known about the results of screening for colonic neoplasms (adenomatous p
AUSTRALIA: Push for Chlamydia Sufferers to Give a Script to Partners: Australian Associated Press (09.09.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; Danny Rose; Australia logged in excess of 58,000 new chlamydia diagnoses last year, 6,000 more than in 2007, and a move is underway to target STD patients untreated partners. The government of New South Wales has asked medical professionals to weigh in on a policy that would allow chlamydia patients to receive an extra prescript
UNITED STATES: Ryan White Act Renewal Backed at House Hearing: Washington Blade (09.11.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; Lou Chibbaro, Jr.; At a recent House Subcommittee on Health hearing, Democratic and Republican members said they support reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act beyond its Sept. 30 expiration, though details still need to be negotiated. Under the draft version, Ryan White funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and care services would be extended f
UNITED STATES: US Medicare May Pay for HIV Testing: Reuters (09.10.09) - Thursday, September 17, 2009; Susan Heavey; Under a draft proposal released on Sept. 9, Medicare, the government health insurance program for the elderly and disabled, would pay for HIV testing for its enrollees. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) said it has sufficient evidence to show that such screenings could help detect the infection soone
MISSOURI: AIDS Project to Get Grant: News-Leader (Springfield) (09.06.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Rep. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) has announced that the AIDS Project of the Ozarks will get a $197,000 grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services. The Ryan White program funds will help provide comprehensive medical care for some 600 area HIV/AIDS patients. This program is designed to augment medical coverage for
FLORIDA: Councilwoman to Speak on Sex Education at Conference: Florida Today (Brevard) (09.14.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Kimberly C. Moore; Palm Bay City Council member Michele Paccione has been announced as a keynote speaker for the Southeastern Urban Initiative for Reproductive Health Regional Summit, which will be held Sept. 30-Oct. 2 in Atlanta. A former president of the local chapter of the National Organization for Women, Paccione is credited with he
UNITED KINGDOM: Boots Offers Anti-Cancer Jab at 405 pounds: The Mirror (London) (09.11.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Pharmacists at the Boots retail drug chain have begun administering the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix in 134 stores in England and Wales. The Boots program is open to women ages 18 to 54. Last September, the National Health Service launched an effort to vaccinate females ages 12 to 18. Older women can ben
CALIFORNIA:: Mayor Gavin Newsom Orders Hepatitis B Educational Materials to Be Distributed to the City's Newlyweds: Asian Week (09.09.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Angela Pang; Under a new executive directive signed by Mayor Gavin Newsom, all couples registering for marriage licenses in San Francisco will be offered information on hepatitis B, as well as where to access the vaccine against it, when they receive the required marriage license booklet. The San Francisco Department of Public Heal
UNITED KINGDOM: Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk Exposure Among Black and Minority Ethnic Youth in Northwest London: Findings from a Study Translating a Sexually Transmitted Infection Risk-Reduction Intervention to the UK Setting: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 283-289 (08.09.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; M. Gerressu; G. Elam; R. Shain; C. Bonell; G. Brook; J. Dimmitt Champion; R. French; J. Elford; G. Hart; J. Stephenson; J. Imrie; Effective interventions to address the disproportionate impact of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among young black women in the United Kingdom are lacking, noted the investigators. Thus, the Young Brent Project explored the nature and context of sexual risk-taking in young people to inform the translation of an
FRANCE: Online Chatter a Promoter of Unsafe Sex: Expert: Australian Associated Press (09.10.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Danny Rose; In a survey of some 2,600 users of a French Web service for finding partners, most gay men chatting online did not anticipate later having unprotected sex. However, online discussions of sexual fantasies often preceded sex without a condom, the study found. Something very specific is created in the dynamic of chatting
CANADA: Fewer Calgary Catholic Students Took Free Cancer Vaccine: Calgary Herald (09.12.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Michelle Lang; Just 38 percent of fifth-grade Catholic schoolgirls in Calgary received at least one human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization last fall, compared with 75 percent of girls the same age in public schools, new data show. While the provincial program offered free HPV vaccines at schools, the Calgary Catholic School District
UNITED STATES: Girl Rejects Gardasil, Loses Path to Citizenship: ABC News (09.11.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Susan Donaldson James; A teenager s quest for US citizenship is in jeopardy because she refuses to comply with an immigration requirement to be vaccinated against human papillomavirus (HPV), the cause of most cervical cancer cases. Born in Britain in 1992, Simone Davis was adopted at age three by her paternal grandmother, Jean Davis, who mar
CALIFORNIA: Wiggins Bill Headed for Governor's Desk: Contra Costa Times (09.11.09) - Wednesday, September 16, 2009; Times-Standard (Eureka); Just before the end of this year s session, California s Legislature approved a measure mandating health care coverage for human papillomavirus vaccinations. Under SB 158, health service plan contracts and health insurance plans that cover cervical cancer treatment must also cover vaccination against HPV, the cause of
GEORGIA: Emory to Welcome AIDS Vaccine Conference: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (09.15.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; Shelia M. Poole; On Monday, the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise announced that Emory University s Center for AIDS Research will be the local host of AIDS Vaccine 2010, a global scientific conference for new research on potential HIV/AIDS vaccines. More than 1,000 participants are expected at the Sept. 28-Oct. 1, 2010, gathering, includin
IDAHO: Idaho to Join in Chlamydia Study: Associated Press (09.04.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; The University of Idaho is joining a worldwide effort aimed at learning more about the most common bacterial STD, chlamydia. The $12.5 million National Institutes of Health project is being led by the University of Maryland and is supported by the Arkansas Children s Hospital Research Institute, the F. Edward Hebert Sc
AFRICA: Germany Backs West African AIDS Prevention Efforts: Agence France Presse (09.10.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; On Thursday in Abuja, Nigeria , Germany signed an agreement to provide 8 million euro (US $11.7 million) to support the AIDS prevention and reproductive health initiatives of the Economic Community of West African States. A statement from the 15- member ECOWAS said the agreement takes effect immediately, and the money
TEXAS: Survey: Parents Overestimate Role in Teens' Sex Education: Austin American-Statesman (09.02.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; Melissa B. Taboada; Parents in Austin are not as important in the sexual education of their children as they think they are. That is the conclusion researchers are drawing from a survey of teens and parents sponsored by abstinence-based sexual education curriculum provider Austin LifeGuard. While more than 40 percent of surveyed parents s
CALIFORNIA: Santa Cruz AIDS Project to Close Drop-In Center: San Jose Mercury News (09.11.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; Liz Kersjes; After 12 years of operation, the Drop-In Center of the Santa Cruz AIDS Project will close on Sept. 15 due to the loss of all its state funding last month. The center at 412 Front St. served about 900 people monthly, running a needle-exchange program (NEP); offering free HIV testing, counseling and prevention workshops;
UNITED STATES: Does Infection Boost Prostate Cancer Risk?: Washington Post (09.10.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; Rob Stein; A new study further supports the theory that the presence of antibodies against Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, researchers say. Trichomoniasis, a common STD caused by the single-celled protozoan parasite T. vaginalis, infects an estimated 174 million people
GERMANY: Hitler AIDS Ad Stirs Controversy: United Press International (09.11.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; A German charity s new anti-AIDS campaign has sparked outrage due to its depiction of Adolph Hitler having sex. The video shows blurry but explicit images of a nude man and woman engaged in sex, then reveals the man to be Hitler as it displays the tag line, AIDS Is a Mass Murderer. Commissioned by the AIDS awareness gr
TEXAS: Dallas Leads Nation in Repeat Teen Births: Dallas Morning News (09.01.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; Robert T. Garrett; Texas has the nation s highest rate of teen mothers who give birth for at least a second time, according to Child Trends, a non-partisan, Washington-based group that advocates for children s well-being. Among births to Texas teens in 2006, 23 percent were not the mother s first delivery. For first-time as well as repea
NEW YORK: New York May Tighten Review of Inmate HIV/Hepatitis Care: Associated Press (09.04.09) - Tuesday, September 15, 2009; Jessica M. Pasko; Gov. David Paterson is considering a bill that would require the New York State Health Department to monitor the care of state and local prisoners with HIV or hepatitis C. Under the measure, the department would be responsible for conducting annual treatment reviews, mandating necessary changes, and releasing annual re
CALIFORNIA: AIDS/HIV Awareness Focus of Seminar: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (09.12.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Erica Felci; On Thursday, the Hi-Desert Medical Center will host a free community seminar about HIV/AIDS and STDs. The center is partnering with the Desert AIDS Project for the 6 p.m. gathering at the hospital s Helen Gray Education Center, 6601 White Feather Rd. For more information and registration, which is required, call 760-36
KENTUCKY: AIDS Walk Attracts 5,000 to Support Cause: Courier Journal (Louisville) (09.13.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Antoinette Konz; The 17th annual Louisville AIDS Walk took place on Sunday. The walk, the state s largest annual HIV/AIDS fundraiser, benefits people living with the disease by contributing to medication co-payments, transportation, counseling, food, housing, children s programs, and legal services. Around 5,000 participants helped rai
TENNESSEE: Church Places Abstinence and Safe-Sex Billboards: Associated Press (09.05.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Using state grant funds, a Memphis church has launched a billboard campaign aimed at preventing teen pregnancy. Most of St. Andrew A.M.E. s billboards promote abstinence, but one reads, Don t make love without a glove. The Rev. Kenneth Robinson, who also serves as chief health officer for the Memphis and Shelby County
INDIA: India Patent Rejections Welcomed by HIV/AIDS Groups: Reuters (09.09.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Bappa Majumdar; Health officials and AIDS advocates hailed India s recent rejection of patent applications for two HIV/AIDS drugs. India s Patent Office denied a patent to US firm Gilead for the drug tenofovir and to Irish firm Tibotec Pharmaceuticals for darunavir. This is a welcome decision and we have always been supporting [the co
UGANDA: HIV Subtype Linked to Increased Likelihood for Dementia: Science Daily (08.29.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Almost half of patients with advanced HIV infection suffer at least mild cognitive impairment, and about 5 percent have dementia , a severe form of cognitive impairment. In previous research, Ned Sacktor, MD, and colleagues noted that 31 percent of patients presenting at an infectious-disease clinic in Kampala,
UNITED KINGDOM: Telltale Signs: The Guardian (London) (08.26.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Mary O'Hara; A new report presents some encouraging news about HIV in the workplace and offers suggestions for securing further job- related protection for those with the virus. Britain s National Aids Trust (NAT) tapped the gay social networking site Gaydar for participants in an online survey among people with HIV. More than half
AUSTRALIA: HIV-Positive and They Don't Know It: The Age (Melbourne) (09.04.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Nick Miller; Many HIV-positive gay men in Melbourne do not realize they are infected, according to a new prevalence study by the Burnet Institute. Researchers surveyed gay men at city sexual health clinics and gay social venues, enrolling 745 participants who were interviewed and given an oral swab HIV test. Of the men, 13.4 percen
SOUTH CAROLINA: A Cure for the Stigma: Medicines Have Advanced, but Stigma Is Biggest Challenge in HIV/AIDS Battle: Anderson Independent Mail (08.29.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Charmaine Smith-Miles; In South Carolina, whose AIDS case rate ranks eighth among US states, stigma remains a major obstacle to HIV prevention and treatment efforts. In 2007, the state health department reported 742 AIDS cases for a rate of nearly 17 per 100,000 people. Yet, South Carolinians are often reluctant to talk about the disease. Dr
UNITED STATES: FDA: Merck's Gardasil Stops Genital Warts in Boys: Associated Press (09.04.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Matthew Perrone; In documents posted online, the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) said the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil is 90 percent effective in preventing genital warts in males. Already approved for use in females ages nine to 26, the Merck & Co. vaccine blocks HPV strains linked to 70 percent of cervical
UNITED STATES: FDA Panel Backs Glaxo Cervical Cancer Vaccine: Reuters (09.09.09) - Monday, September 14, 2009; Lisa Richwine; A Food and Drug Administration advisory panel has said GlaxoSmithKline s human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Cervarix is safe and effective for females ages 10-25. The committee voted 11-1 in favor of Cervarix s safety and 12-1 in support of its efficacy. FDA typically follows its expert panels recommendations. Som
UNITED STATES: Jay-Z Designs Arthur Ashe T-Shirt for Charity: Associated Press (09.01.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Rap mogul Jay-Z has designed a T-shirt with the image of tennis great Arthur Ashe that will be sold during the US Open to benefit the Arthur Ashe Endowment for the Defeat of AIDS and the US Tennis Association s National Junior Tennis and Learning. Ashe co-founded NJTL, which this year is celebrating its 40th anniversar
SOUTH CAROLINA: 160 at Greenville High Tested for TB: Greenville News (09.04.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Liv Osby; Health officials said Thursday that TB tests have been administered to about 160 people at Greenville High School, where a person with an active case of the disease was present between January and May. Because a person with active TB can transmit the disease before he or she is ill enough to seek care, the Department o
CALIFORNIA: Stop AIDS Looks at New Prevention Techniques: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (09.03.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Brian Gougherty; At the San Francisco LGBT Community Center, Stop AIDS Project (SAP) recently presented the results of a survey that collected men s feedback on specific structural interventions proposed for making bars, sex clubs and Web sites more supportive of safer sex. Researchers in the Where study interviewed almost 200 men, chi
ILLINOIS: Renslow Talks Barebacking: Windy City Times (Chicago) (09.02.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Sam Worley; In July, International Mr. Leather President Chuck Renslow announced that vendors in the annual convention s marketplace will no longer be allowed to sell or distribute materials that promote or advocate barebacking, or unprotected anal sex. In a letter notifying vendors of the change, Renslow wrote, Too many in our co
UNITED STATES: Scientists Locate Antibodies that Can Stop Advance of AIDS: Los Angeles Times (09.04.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Thomas H. Maugh II; In a new study, researchers reported that two antibodies to HIV could prove to be keys to a vaccine to stop the progress of the infection to AIDS. The Scripps Research Institute-based team found the antibodies, called PG9 and PG16, in people who remained asymptomatic after infection. This is opening up a whole new area
PHILIPPINES: Families of Philippine Seafarers Exposed to High Risks of HIV Infection: Xinhua News Agency (08.28.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Men - chiefly seafarers - returning from contract work abroad accounted for 35 percent of new HIV infections in the Philippines last year, according to the country s National AIDS Council. The confluence of mobile men with money away from family and social connections and with the interaction with local communities and
UGANDA: The Battle in Uganda over Female Condoms: Time Magazine (08.30.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Nick Wadhams; In July, Uganda s government announced it would begin a female condom program to prevent HIV, distributing 100,000 units in two regions using money from the UN Population Fund. The government said it would extend the pilot program after a year if it found donor support. Civil society groups lauded the initiative for pr
FLORIDA: First Big Decline in AIDS-Related Deaths in 8 Years, State Reports: Orlando Sentinel (09.01.09) - Friday, September 04, 2009; Fernando Quintero; A new report from the Florida Department of Health documents the state s first significant decline in AIDS death rates since 1999. Man Up: The Crisis of HIV/AIDS Among Florida s Men shows that from 2006 to 2007, AIDS-related death rates fell by 16 percent among black men, 15 percent among Hispanic men, and 11 percent a
CALIFORNIA: Desert Regional to Sponsor AIDS Walk, Donates $25,000: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (08.30.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; Nina Ronda; Oct. 31 is the date for 2009 AIDS Walk Palm Springs, and for the second year Desert Regional Medical Center has signed on as the event s presenting sponsor. With potentially huge state budget cuts to health care, it s more important than ever for people to help us support great organizations like DAP, said Cliff Daniel
ILLINOIS: Online Tool Connects Residents to Food Resources: Associated Press (09.02.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; The Illinois Food and Nutrition Advocacy Partnership, a consortium of community partners that includes the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, has introduced a new Web site to help Chicagoland residents in need of food assistance. The online tool asks users to enter a ZIP code and answer questions about the ages of family memb
NORTH CAROLINA: HIV/AIDS Funding Cut Won't Limit Treatment: News & Record (Greensboro) (09.02.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; Gerald Witt; Health officials say a $3 million cut to the 2009-10 budget of the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program should not affect the patients who count on it for their medicines. [ADAP] is really solid, said Addison Ore, director of the Triad Health Project, which advocates for Guilford County s approximately 1,600 HIV/AIDS pat
NORTH CAROLINA: Forsyth Syphilis Cases Way Up: Winston-Salem Journal (08.29.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; Richard Craver; On Saturday, local and state health officials visited Forsyth County neighborhoods to raise awareness of syphilis and offer screening in areas where clusters of the STD have been detected this year. The county leads the state in new syphilis reports, with diagnoses of infectious cases doubling from 70 to 140 in the thr
IRAN: Totally Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis Bacilli Emerge in Iran: Reuters Health Medical News (09.01.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; In a new study, scientists in Iran report the emergence of new forms of resistant bacilli (totally drug-resistant [TDR] or super extensively drug-resistant [XDR] tuberculosis [TB] strains) among patients with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB). Of 146 MDR-TB strains, eight XDR isolates (5.4 percent) and 15 TDR isolates (1
BRAZIL: Brazil Faces Fresh HIV/AIDS Fight: CNN.com (08.27.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; Brazil s response to its HIV epidemic, hailed as a model throughout the world, is changing to adapt to the evolving face of the disease. Widespread access to effective antiretroviral HIV medications has lengthened the lifespan of Brazil s HIV-positive population and left them susceptible to diseases associated with agi
UNITED NATIONS: UN Guide for Sex Education Generates Opposition: New York Times (09.03.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; Stephen Erlanger; Even before they are published, proposed sex education guidelines from the UN have proven so controversial that their release date has been moved back and a key sponsor - the UN Population Fund (UNPF) - has asked to have its name removed from the materials. The UNESCO guidelines have been attacked by conservative and r
UNITED STATES: A Look at States' Legislation on an HPV Vaccine: Associated Press (08.31.09) - Thursday, September 03, 2009; In 2006, CDC s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended routine vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) for girls ages 11-12. States have approached the issue variously through school mandates, requiring insurance providers to cover the vaccine, educational campaigns targeting parents and referri
SOUTH AFRICA: Controversial Priest to Remain Working in South Africa: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (09.01.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Even though he is known for disagreeing with Catholic Church policies on AIDS and condoms, a German priest has been cleared to continue fighting the disease in Cape Town. A spokesperson for Stefan Hippler s home diocese in Trier, Germany , said, Despite his critical statements, Hippler has earned great achievements wit
INDIA: Police Arrest Six for Supplying Blood Tainted with Hepatitis B, C to Hospitals in Northern India: Canadian Press (09.01.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Biswajeet Banerjee; A doctor and five other people are facing charges of spreading infectious diseases after they supplied blood contaminated with hepatitis B and C to blood banks in northern India . In raids last month on blood banks in Lucknow, police seized 60 units of blood ready to be delivered to hospitals and private clinics. Accor
OHIO: HIV Agency Finally Gets State Money: Cincinnati Enquirer (09.01.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Mark Curnutte; Despite a six-week delay in the delivery of federal funds, Cincinnati-based STOP AIDS was able to provide uninterrupted care to its 1,000 clients, said Executive Director Amy McMahon. The issue was resolved last week when the organization received $170,000 from the Ohio Department of Health, which disburses dollars fro
CALIFORNIA: Billy DeFrank Center Cutting All Paid Staff, Suspending HIV Testing: San Jose Mercury News (09.01.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Sandra Gonzales; Volunteers will replace paid staff at the Billy DeFrank LGBT Community Center in San Jose, which is struggling with the loss of more than half of its budget. It will also suspend its HIV testing program. The amount of revenue coming in will support keeping the doors open for all volunteers, but not pay for program staf
CALIFORNIA: Sonoma County's HIV Clinic Likely to Close: Press Democrat (Santa Rosa) (08.29.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Martin Espinoza; The economic downturn has the decades-old system of HIV care in Sonoma County dismantling right before our eyes, said Lisa Albertson, chair of the County Commission on AIDS. Among the possible casualties is a county HIV clinic in downtown Santa Rosa that serves about 500 clients. Public health officials are exploring a
UNITED STATES: Reducing Risky Sexual Behavior and Substance Use Among Currently and Formerly Homeless Adults Living with HIV: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1100-1107 (06.01.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Mary Jane Rotheram-Borus, PhD; Katherine Desmond, MS; W. Scott Comulada, DrPH; Elizabeth Mayfield Arnold, PhD; Mallory Johnson, PhD; The researchers examined the efficacy of an intervention, the Healthy Living Program, in reducing risky sexual behavior and substance use among HIV-positive adults who were marginally housed (homeless at least some point over a period of 37 months). With a population of 936 HIV-positive adults, the authors had previous
CANADA: Stephen Lewis Dares Canadians to Support Grassroots AIDS Projects in Africa: Canadian Press (08.30.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Amy Fuller; With the launching of the new Dare to Remember campaign, the Stephen Lewis Foundation is asking people to go beyond their comfort zones and do something personally meaningful to raise money for HIV/AIDS. Lewis, Canada s former UN ambassador and now a professor of global health at Hamilton s McMaster University and co-
VIRGINIA; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: HPV Vaccine a Suggestion, Not Mandate in District of Columbia, Virginia: Associated Press (08.31.09) - Wednesday, September 02, 2009; Dena Potter; Following federal officials 2006 recommendation that girls ages 11-12 be immunized against human papillomavirus (HPV), about two dozen states have considered mandating the vaccination. However, officials in most of the states declined to do so due to funding constraints, concerns about the safety of Merck & Co. s v
MISSISSIPPI: HIV/AIDS Focus of Campaign: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (09.01.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; Rap-It-Up, a national HIV/AIDS awareness campaign, will be presented by the state Health Department and Black Entertainment Television on Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Rose E. McCoy Auditorium of Jackson State University. Other partners in the effort include Building Bridges, My Brother s Keeper, Grace Hou
AUSTRALIA: New South Wales Government Campaign Against Sexually Transmitted Disease: Australian Associated Press (08.30.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; New South Wales has launched a new STD awareness campaign with a bold question: How many people have you slept with? NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant said the theme of the outreach - sleeping with one is sleeping with many - is a call for young people to use condoms and get tested and treated for STDs. Imagine all
MISSOURI: County Might Institute Fees for STD Testing: Columbia Daily Tribune (08.27.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; Jodie Jackson Jr.; Public health officials in Boone County, Missouri - home of the flagship campus of the University of Missouri - want to begin charging for STD testing, but at the same time worry that fees will deter some people from getting tested. Stephanie Browning, director of the Columbia-Boone County Department of Public Health a
ARKANSAS: HIV-Fear Claim Fails as Shelter Is Cleared: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (08.29.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; Seth Blomeley; After an all-day hearing on Friday, the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission voted 4-3 to reject a discrimination complaint filed against a local homeless shelter by an HIV-positive man and his wife. The couple alleged that Our House evicted the man after one day because he has the virus. Our House Executive Director
MAINE: Hepatitis A Death Traced to Island: Bangor Daily News (08.31.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; Bill Trotter; Six cases of acute hepatitis A infection have been traced to the same house on Swans Island in Hancock County, state health officials said on Sunday. Among four cases that have been confirmed, one patient died and another was hospitalized. All the patients were out-of-state residents who had vacationed at the house in
UNITED STATES: Methamphetamine Use, Sexual Activity, Patient- Provider Communication, and Medication Adherence Among HIV- Infected Patients in Care, San Francisco, 2004-2006: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 5: P. 575-582 (05.01.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; Carina Marquez; Samuel J. Mitchell; C. Bradley Hare; Malcolm John; Jeffrey D. Klausner; While numerous studies examine methamphetamine use and associated risky sexual behaviors in HIV-uninfected individuals, few studies have surveyed HIV-infected individuals in the health care setting, the authors wrote. To assess the frequency and trends of methamphetamine use, sexual activity, injection drug use, patie
LESOTHO: Daring Festival Challenges AIDS Stigma: Guelph Mercury (Ontario, Canada) (08.29.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; Rob O'Flanagan; The Leribe Anti-Stigma and Discrimination Festival, held in an open field in Hlotse on Friday, drew more than 1,000 people determined to raise their voices in defense of those living with HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS patients in Lesotho have endured a long history of discrimination and shame - a situation that is beginning to ch
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: District Launches HIV-Test Campaign: Washington Post (08.29.09) - Tuesday, September 01, 2009; Darryl Fears; On Friday, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty launched an HIV testing campaign, D.C. Takes On HIV, which will feature messages on television, radio, billboards, and Metro trains and buses. The District has a confirmed HIV/AIDS prevalence of 3 percent - the highest for any major city in the nation. We re encouraging all residents to
ARKANSAS: Shelter Accused of HIV Eviction: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (08.28.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Kristin Netterstrom; In a complaint presented Friday to the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission, a homeless man says he was evicted from a Little Rock shelter because he has HIV. The complaint says Our House, which receives federal funds and provides long-term housing and education training for the working homeless, denied the man housing in
COLORADO: Hepatitis C Infected Patients at 35, Feds Say: Denver Post (08.29.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Felisa Cardona; According to federal court records, the number of hepatitis C virus cases potentially linked to a surgical technician s drug-theft scheme has risen to 35. The HCV-infected worker, now fired, is accused of injecting herself with a powerful painkiller meant for patients, then refilling the used syringes with saline solut
UTAH: Debate Continues over Utah Sex Education Changes: Salt Lake Tribune (08.26.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Lisa Schencker; At a recent meeting in Murray to discuss sex education in Utah schools, state Rep. Lynn Hemingway (D-Salt Lake City) presented a draft bill that would require districts to offer both an abstinence-based and a comprehensive curriculum. Parental consent would be necessary for students to participate in the program offeri
CALIFORNIA: Solano Ending HIV/AIDS Services: Times-Herald (Vallejo) (08.30.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Lanz Christian Banes; Solano County is no longer offering HIV testing, monitoring, prevention or outreach programs, or AIDS case management due to $80 million in state Office of AIDS (OA) funds being slashed. The result of the funding loss locally is there are virtually no programs, said Peter Turner, supervising health education specialist
UNITED KINGDOM: The English National Chlamydia Screening Program: Variations in Positivity in 2007/2008: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 36; No. 8: P. 522-527 (08.01.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Ian Simms; Alireza Talebi; Johanna Rhia; Paddy Horner; Rebecca S. French; Randall Sarah; Mary Macintosh; In the current study, investigators examined the rate of positivity in the English National Chlamydia Screening Program in 2007-2008. Among 334,902 chlamydia tests performed, 29 percent were for male patients, among whom 7.6 percent had positive diagnoses. Among women, 9.3 percent were positive for chlamydia. Positivit
MALAWI: Malawi: New Data Show Greater Risk of AIDS Among Gay Men: Inter Press Service (08.18.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Christi Van Der Westhuizen; A recent study finds Malawian men who have sex with men (MSM) are at greater risk for HIV/AIDS, yet prevention initiatives fail to target them. The survey of 202 men included a sample of 20 originally recruited from the researchers contacts, with each then asked to recruit nine or 10 other MSM. Some 54 percent had a bo
CANADA: Drug Users Back Proposed Needle Exchange in Victoria: Canwest New Service (08.27.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Matthew Pearson; Toward the goal of having a program operating in a fixed site by winter, an association of intravenous drug users in Victoria is throwing its support behind a proposed needle- exchange program (NEP) location it had previously rejected. In a July letter to health officials, the Society of Living Intravenous Drug Users (
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Amid City Epidemic, Barry Proposes Mandatory HIV Tests for Inmates: Washington Post (08.30.09) - Monday, August 31, 2009; Martin Ricard; The District of Columbia screens all inmates for HIV under a voluntary opt-out program launched in 2006 by the Department of Corrections (DOC). In July, City Council member Marion Barry (D-Ward 8) proposed a bill that would mandate inmate screening as one response to curb the District s high HIV rate. Three percent of
WEST VIRGINIA: WVU's Condom Caravan Features 10-Cent Thursdays: Associated Press (08.27.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; West Virginia University is using the Condom Caravan program to support safer sex on campus. Some 30 varieties are available at a bargain price: 25 cents each, or five for $1. The outreach takes place on Tuesdays at the Student Health Services in the Health Sciences Center from 5 to 7 p.m.; the program visits various c
ILLINOIS: AIDS Patients Taught About Food Safety: United Press International (08.25.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; The University of Illinois Chicago School of Public Health has received a three-year, $600,000 grant to educate AIDS patients about food safety. Scientists from the university noted that AIDS patients with severely compromised immune systems are at risk of developing life-threatening conditions from food-borne illnesse
UNITED STATES: J&J Unit Warns of Deadly Skin Reaction with HIV Drug: Bloomberg News (08.26.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; Catherine Larkin; In a letter distributed via e-mail by the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday, Johnson & Johnson warned doctors of reports of a deadly skin reaction and liver failure linked to its HIV drug Intelence (etravirine). Pamela Van Houten, spokesperson for J&J s Tibotec Therapeutics unit, said in a phone intervi
NORTH CAROLINA: Syphilis on the Rise; Officials Urge More Testing: Q Notes (Charlotte) (08.08.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; Matt Comer; Syphilis cases in Mecklenburg County have more than doubled in 2009, prompting health department officials to urge more testing. From Jan. 1 through the end of July, Mecklenburg County logged 98 new syphilis cases, compared to 45 cases reported in the same period in 2009. Only Forsyth County has seen a higher increase
CALIFORNIA: City Postpones Cutting AIDS Contracts Until October: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.27.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; Local AIDS service providers have been told the San Francisco Department of Public Health is delaying any contract cuts until Oct. 15. SFDPH is postponing action to give city supervisors time to formulate a response to the loss of nearly $4 million in state HIV funding. We have informed our contractors that by mid-Octo
CALIFORNIA: Budget Cuts Close AIDS Clearinghouse: Advocate (08.26.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; Chris Jai Centeno; The Los Angeles-based California AIDS Clearinghouse will cease operations next week due to state budget cuts, said officials. CAC developed culturally competent HIV prevention materials and provided technical assistance and training to HIV/AIDS programs. The organization received notice that its funding had been elimin
THE NETHERLANDS: Opting Out Increases HIV Testing in a Large Sexually Transmitted Infections Outpatient Clinic: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 249-255 (08.01.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; R.L.J. Heijman; I.G. Stolte; H.F.J. Thiesbrummel; E. van Leent; R.A. Coutinho; J.S.A. Fennema; M. Prins; The current study examines the effect of an opt-out strategy on HIV testing uptake and identifies factors associated with refusing the test. The study was based in a sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinic in Amsterdam that, in January 2007, replaced provider-initiated testing with opt-out testing. The data that we
MAINE: Drug Needle Exchanges Threatened: Bangor Daily News (08.26.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; Meg Haskell; Needle-exchange programs would be able to receive federal funds under an appropriations bill approved by the US House. However, many advocates are lobbying against a part of the measure regarding where NEPs can be located. The Senate will later this year consider its own version of the Health and Human Services appropr
GEORGIA: Gay Obama Appointee Convenes First Town Hall Meeting on National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (08.28.09) - Friday, August 28, 2009; Dyana Bagby; Tuesday at the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta, the director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy kicked off the first in a series of town hall meetings aimed at soliciting public feedback to help guide the creation of a national HIV/AIDS strategy. As Jeff Crowley took the stage, he was
LOUISIANA: Church Leaders Join Fight Against AIDS: The Advocate (Baton Rouge) (08.21.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; Ellyn Couvillion; In a program being piloted by the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church, seven Baton Rouge congregations - First United Methodist Church, Unitarian Church, Metropolitan Community Church, St. Mark United Methodist Church, Greater New Guide Baptist Church, Broadmoor Presbyterian Church, and St. Paul Catholi
BRAZIL: In Brazil, You've Got Mail and Possibly an STD: Associated Press (08.21.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; A new Web site created by the Brazilian Health Ministry lets visitors e-mail a virtual postcard to inform their sex partners that they may be infected with an STD. The cards suggest that the recipients visit a doctor for screening. The cards may help people tackle these diseases directly and with minimum exposure, said
UNITED KINGDOM: More Contracting HIV Abroad: UK Press Association (08.25.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; New data show that 42 percent of all new HIV cases in North West England are the result of transmissions that occurred outside the country. Seventy-four percent of these new patients are black Africans. The 2008 figures also showed that the number of regional residents receiving HIV treatment, 5,767, was up by 11 perce
CALIFORNIA: Cuts Hurt HIV/AIDS Support Group: Union Democrat (Sonora) (08.25.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; Walt Cook; The HIV/AIDS organization Sierra HOPE (Health Opportunities, Programs and Education) has seen its budget for the current fiscal year slashed by more than a third. The nonprofit has experienced a $62,000 cut in state money and a $42,000 in federal funding cut this year, said Executive Director Jerry Cadotte. The agency
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C.'s Ex-Dealers Back on Streets - Saving Lives: Washington Post (08.26.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; Darryl Fears; Wards 7 and 8 are home to some of the District s highest HIV/AIDS infection rates and to what prevention experts call hard-to-reach populations, those who are least likely to be tested for and educated about the virus and the most likely to spread it. Now, an organization working to combat HIV/AIDS there is tapping the
TAIWAN: Smokers Seen Twice as Likely to Develop Active TB: Reuters (08.24.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; A representative study of nearly 18,000 Taiwanese finds that those who smoke have double the risk of developing active TB compared to those who have never smoked. Lead author Hsien-Ho Lin, a post-doctoral fellow at Brigham and Women s Hospital in Boston, and colleagues tracked 17,699 people in Taiwan, of whom 13,254 ha
SPAIN: Penile Cancer Linked to Sexually Transmitted Virus, Study Says: Bloomberg News (08.25.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; Michelle Fay Cortez; Nearly half of penile cancer cases are linked to human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a new study led by Silvia de Sanjose of the cancer epidemiology research program at the Barcelona-based Catalan Institute of Oncology. The investigators reviewed 31 studies involving 1,466 men with penile cancer, finding HPV prese
UNITED KINGDOM: Jade Goody Cancer Battle Prompts 20 Percent Increase in Smear Tests: Daily Telegraph (London) (08.25.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; Simon Johnson; Over 450,500 cervical smears were processed in Scotland from March 31, 2008, to March 31, 2009, an increase of more than 75,000 (20 percent) over the previous year and the largest screening increase seen since 2001-02, health officials announced on Tuesday. One factor contributing to the upturn in Pap screening uptake
VIRGINIA; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Schools Urging Girls to Get HPV Vaccine: Washington Post (08.21.09) - Thursday, August 27, 2009; Yamiche Alcindor; This year for the first time, schools in the District of Columbia and Virginia are asking parents of sixth-grade girls to vaccinate them against human papillomavirus (HPV). In the District, parents who decline to do so must sign a waiver affirming the decision. In Virginia, parents can opt out without a waiver, said Sa
INDIA: HIV-Positive Boy Driven Out of School in India: Xinhua News Agency (08.24.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; On Monday, relatives of a nine-year-old with HIV filed a complaint against the principal of Belmonda Primary School in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh, for expelling the boy. The principal said he did so because he feared the youth would infect other children. Both the boy s parents died of AIDS. According to a report by the
SOUTH AFRICA: Anglo American Says 18 Percent of Southern African Staff HIV-Positive: Bloomberg News (08.24.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Carli Lourens; South Africa s largest employer reported this week that about 14,500 of its employees in southern Africa, 18 percent of its workforce in the region, are HIV-positive. Anglo American said about 7,400 people, or 51 percent of those needing treatment, are in disease management programs. The London-based company acknowledg
GEORGIA: Lack of Urgency Seen in Atlanta AIDS Efforts: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (08.25.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Craig Schneider; Jeffrey Crowley, director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy, visited several Atlanta AIDS service organizations on Tuesday and was troubled by what he heard. There is a concern in Atlanta about the commitment of elected officials in the fight against HIV/AIDS, Crowley said. People say there s not the ur
CALIFORNIA: Two STOP AIDS Project Forums at the LGBT Community Center: San Francisco Bay Times (08.20.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Rink; Two recent STOP AIDS Project (SAP) forums at San Francisco s LGBT Community Center touched on several topics relating to HIV prevention. On Aug. 13, the organization sponsored a panel discussion on pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) studies, in which HIV-negative participants take antiretrovirals to protect against infect
CHINA: Drugs Don't Work for Half of China's AIDS Patients, Study Says: Bloomberg News (08.18.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Simeon Bennett; A new study of China s free antiretroviral (ARV) program finds nearly half of patients receiving treatment stopped responding to the drugs after five years and were unable to access second-line medicines available in developed countries. Fujie Zhang of China s Center for Disease Control and colleagues examined 48,785 H
NORTH AMERICA; EUROPE: Circumcision Doesn't Protect Gays from AIDS Virus: Associated Press (08.26.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Mike Stobbe; Circumcision is not considered beneficial in preventing sexual transmission of HIV among men who have sex with men (MSM), CDC researchers said Tuesday at the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta. The study re-analyzed data from the 1998-2002 randomized, double-blind, prospective clinical trial of the inef
PHILIPPINES: AIDS Not Just About Gays: Philippine Daily Inquirer (08.26.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Dona Pazzilbugan; The Philippines Department of Health has launched a new survey to determine the prevalence of HIV infection among persons who engage in risky behaviors like drug injection and multi- partner sex. In particular, it will target a group that is increasingly affected by HIV: men who have sex with men (MSM) but who do not s
SOUTH AFRICA: 'Agony Aunts' Taken to Task for Risky Relationship Advice: Business Day (South Africa) (08.22.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Jocelyn Newmarch; An analysis of South Africa s advice columnists finds most do not mention HIV/AIDS in response to readers relationship concerns over unfaithful partners and sexual infidelity. The advice given is mostly emotional encouragement rather than letting the person know that they are at very high risk of getting HIV when they
ILLINOIS: Quinn Signs STD Self-Treat Measure: Peoria Journal Star (08.24.09) - Wednesday, August 26, 2009; Adriana Colindres; Effective Jan. 1, Illinois physicians will be able to prescribe antibiotic treatment for chlamydia and gonorrhea patients partners without first having examined them. Gov. Pat Quinn signed the expedited partner therapy bill on Monday. The measure aims to stop re-infections among patients whose partners have not been ex
UTAH: Murray Meeting to Discuss Plan to Change Sex Education in Utah: Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (08.25.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Amy K. Stewart; A bill that would implement changes in Utah s sex education curriculum will be the topic Wednesday night at a town hall- style meeting in Murray. Sponsored by Rep. Lynn Hemingway (D- Salt Lake), the bill would allow parents to select for their children one of two abstinence-based approaches: One introduces strategies f
ILLINOIS: Teacher Ousted over AIDS Video Gets His Job Back: Chicago Daily Herald (08.22.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Bob Susnjara; Four months after he was fired for showing an AIDS prevention video to his eighth-grade science class, teacher Patrick Szady has been rehired at St. Francis de Sales Parish s Catholic elementary school in Lake Zurich. Numerous parents and former students had taken up Szady s cause; some even wrote to Cardinal Francis G
UNITED STATES: Helene Gayle to Advise Obama on AIDS: Reuters (08.24.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; The US government has tapped Dr. Helene Gayle, president and CEO of CARE USA, to chair the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. As we organize numerous ways to engage the American people in confronting the HIV epidemic in our country, the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS will play a critical role in deve
UNITED STATES: Drug Use and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among African-American Men Who Have Sex with Men and Men Who Have Sex with Women: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1062-1066 (06.01.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Dorothy C. Browne, DrPH, MSW; Patricia A. Clubb, PhD; Yan Wang, DrPH; Fernando Wagner, ScD; In the current study, the researchers investigated covariates related to risky sexual behaviors among young African-American men at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The authors analyses were based on data from 1,837 male freshmen enrolled at 34 HBCUs who took part in the 2001 HBCU Substance Use Sur
RUSSIA: Russia Bracing for Spread of Dangerous TB Strains: Washington Post (08.24.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Sarah Schafer; Preliminary state surveys have recorded an uptick in Russia s TB rate, from 83.2 cases per 100,000 people in 2007 to 85.2 cases per 100,000 last year. Health officials and other experts are warning that worse could follow, given the most severe economic decline in a decade and Russia s weak health care system. The 1998
CANADA: Nightmare HIV Scenario for Aboriginals Unlikely: Edmonton Journal (08.22.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Anne Kyle, Regina Leader-Post; Public health officials have backed away from an earlier warning that compared HIV s spread among Saskatchewan s aboriginal community to the AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa. If you think decimating the African population was bad. HIV in this province will kill 15 to 30 percent [of the aboriginal population] over fi
SOUTH AFRICA: AIDS, Violence Burden Health Care in South Africa: Studies: Agence France Presse (08.25.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Courtney Brooks; South Africa s new government has the chance to turn around a public health system that has been plagued by poor leadership and management, according to a new series of articles in the Lancet medical journal. The country s health care system is challenged by HIV/AIDS foremost, the articles said. About 17 percent of the
UNITED STATES: Magic Johnson Addresses National HIV Prevention Conference: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (08.24.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Dyana Bagby; His role as one of the most public faces of HIV has helped prevent others from becoming infected, but the attention has also been a curse, Earvin Magic Johnson said Sunday at the opening plenary of the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta. The Los Angeles Lakers basketball legend made his HIV status publi
UNITED STATES: US at 'Turning Point' in Fight Against AIDS, Says Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (08.24.09) - Tuesday, August 25, 2009; Dyana Bagby; Speaking to a capacity crowd at the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta on Monday, US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius said Americans attitudes about HIV/AIDS are at a crossroads. We are at a turning point as a country. Either we choose to get used to HIV/AIDS. to accept tha
CALIFORNIA: Surfers Get Vaccines Against Hepatitis A: United Press International (08.23.09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; On Saturday, workers with the Imperial Beach Health Center and the beach conservation group Wildcoast signed up about 75 beachgoers for free hepatitis A shots. San Diego State University researchers identified the danger of infection three years ago when they found hepatitis A in 80 percent of water samples pulled near
COLORADO: 27 Cases of Hepatitis C Now Linked to Suspect: Denver Post (08.22.09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; According to an updated tally released Friday, state health officials have now tentatively linked 27 hepatitis C cases to an infected surgical technician s drug-theft scheme. The worker is alleged to have injected herself with a painkiller, then refilled the syringes with saline that was administered to patients. In th
UNITED STATES: Charting the HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (08.23.09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; Dr. Kevin Fenton; Today, thousands of public health leaders will gather in Atlanta at the National HIV Prevention Conference to discuss the path forward in combating America s HIV crisis. The severe and continued burden of HIV in this nation is neither acceptable nor inevitable. But significant progress will require that we strengthen
CALIFORNIA: State AIDS Cuts to San Francisco Near $4 Million: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.20.09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; State funding to San Francisco for HIV prevention and testing will be cut 82 percent, or $2.4 million, according to documents recently released by the California Office of AIDS. State budget cuts have left San Francisco with a loss of at least $4 million for HIV/AIDS care and prevention services for fiscal 2009-10. The
UNITED STATES: Effects of Written Informed Consent Requirements on HIV Testing Rates: Evidence from a Natural Experiment: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1087-1092 (06..09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; Coady Wing, MA, BPAPM; To assess whether written informed consent requirements create barriers that discourage HIV testing, the study author evaluated their effect on HIV testing rates in New York state. On June 1, 2005, New York streamlined its HIV testing consent procedures. If written informed consent creates barriers to testing, then the
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Raising Awareness in Washington About HIV: Hudson Valley Press (Newburgh) (08.12.09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; Congressional Black Caucus members and the National Minority AIDS Council are co-sponsoring an Evening Without Politics on Sept. 25 in Washington. The event will focus on raising HIV/AIDS awareness in African-American communities - nationwide, but particularly in the District - and on supporting HIV/AIDS education init
UNITED STATES: Public Health Agency Weighs Routine Circumcision to Fight HIV Risk: New York Times (08.24.09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; Roni Caryn Rabin; Public health officials are considering recommendations to promote the routine circumcision of US-born male infants as a way to prevent female-to-male HIV transmission. Experts are also considering whether to encourage circumcision for high- risk heterosexual men. CDC could release a formal draft of recommendations by
UNITED STATES: New AIDS Plan Set to Be Unveiled: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (08.22.09) - Monday, August 24, 2009; Bob Keefe; The 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference is underway in Atlanta, with some 3,000 attendees gathered through Wednesday to address the nation s epidemic. Highlights of the conference include: *On Monday, Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius will unveil details of a new effort to develop
UNITED KINGDOM: Lennox Unveils Mandela Memorial: BBC (08.19.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; Eurhythmics singer Annie Lennox, in Edinburgh to take part in the Festival of Politics at the Scottish Parliament, has unveiled a stone memorial honoring the city s links with Nelson Mandela and his fight against HIV/AIDS. It s in our hands to win the fight against HIV, reads the memorial, which includes the handprints
ILLINOIS: Rock Island County Health Department Reports New Hepatitis Case: Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (08.18.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; Deirdre Cox Baker; Rock Island County Health Department s new report of an 18th case of hepatitis A brings to 32 the total number of cases diagnosed in western Illinois and eastern Iowa in the recent outbreak. This individual is a household contact to one of the cases reported the week of July 13, said department spokesperson Theresa Foe
UNITED STATES: More than Half of Texas Physicians Do Not Always Recommend HPV Vaccine to Girls: Science Daily (08.06.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; The quadrivalent human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2006, and the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommends it for all 11- and 12-year old girls. A recent study, however, found that more than half of Texas physicians were not following ACIP s recommendat
ROMANIA: Romania: Supply of AIDS Drugs Running Low Where Epidemic Had Been Controlled: New York Times (08.18.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; Patients in Romania with chronic diseases including HIV/AIDS are facing medicine shortages due to the global recession, local media and health workers say. AIDS patients have launched an open letter campaign asking President Traian Basescu and Parliament to intervene and ensure treatment, according to the Romanian Libe
GLOBAL: Religious Leaders Absent in the Anti-AIDS Fight: Inter Press Service (08.13.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; Lynette Lee Corporal; Though they exert great influence in the communities in which they serve, religious leaders are not doing enough to fight HIV/AIDS, said experts at the recent ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, held in Bali, Indonesia . Many religious groups and leaders are unwilling to address HIV/AIDS and m
CANADA: Saskatchewan Health Officials Raise HIV Alarm, Warn Virus Will Hit Aboriginals Hard: Canadian Press (08.19.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; Angela Hill, Prince Albert Daily Herald; HIV in Saskatchewan s aboriginal community is comparable to the epidemic found in some African countries, health officials say. The province logged 174 HIV cases last year, a three-fold increase since 2004, and aboriginals are the hardest-hit group, according to the Ministry of Health. Most transmissions were acquired
CALIFORNIA: Porn Makers Challenged for Not Mandating Condoms: Associated Press (08.21.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; Shaya Tayefe Mohajer; On Thursday, the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed labor complaints with the state alleging unsafe working conditions that could spread HIV and other STDs at 16 pornographic-movie companies. AHF lodged the complaint, which names Hustler Video, Maverick Entertainment, Vivid, and other California adult-f
UNITED STATES: National HIV Conference to Address Many LGBT Topics: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (08.20.09) - Friday, August 21, 2009; NBA great Earvin Magic Johnson, US Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius, and CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden are among those scheduled to address CDC s National HIV Prevention Conference, which meets in Atlanta Aug. 23-26. On Aug. 25, a town hall meeting on a national AIDS strategy will feature Jeff
CALIFORNIA: Vaccinations Against Hepatitis A to Be Offered: San Diego Union-Tribune (08.19.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; Janine Zuniga; Officials with the beach conservation group Wildcoast report that San Diego University researchers have found hepatitis A in water samples taken near the Imperial Beach pier. In response, representatives of Wildcoast and the Imperial Beach Health Center will conduct an informational outreach on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.
UNITED STATES: Life Expectancy in US Up, Deaths Not, CDC Says: Associated Press (08.19.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; Mike Stobbe; Falling rates in nearly all leading causes of death have pushed US life expectancy to a new high, according to a preliminary report released Wednesday by CDC s National Center for Health Statistics. Based on data collected from about 90 percent of death certificates filed in 2007, the report concludes that a baby born
OHIO: Funding Snag Hurts AIDS Group: Cincinnati Enquirer (08.20.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; Mark Curnutte; Officials with STOP AIDS, formerly AIDS Volunteers of Cincinnati, are hoping that a delay in reimbursement of federal Ryan White funds by the state will be resolved soon. The organization serves around 1,000 clients, of whom 65 percent live below the federal poverty level. These are destitute people, said Executive Dir
UNITED STATES: Gene Predicts Response to Hepatitis C Drugs: Study: Reuters (08.16.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; Julie Steenhuysen; A slight variation in a person s genetic code could explain why some racial and ethnic groups respond differently to standard hepatitis C treatment, a new study finds. In a clinical trial of 1,671 people with the most common form of hepatitis C who were taking either of two standard treatments - Schering-Plough s Pegin
THAILAND: 'Rampant Unprotected Sex, Drug Abuse at Thai Jails': The Nation (Bangkok) (08.14.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; Bans have not stopped risky sex and drug use among Thai prisoners, according to a recent survey of inmates. Top officials at the Justice Ministry won t admit that such things happen, but in reality they do, said Dr. Sutayut Osornprasop, a development specialist at the World Bank office in Thailand . Sutayut c
BRAZIL: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Affect over 10 Million Brazilians: Xinhua News Agency (08.18.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; A study released Tuesday by Brazil s Health Ministry finds some 10.3 million Brazilians are or have been infected with an STD at some point in their lives. Of these, 6.6 million are men and 3.7 million are women. We are talking about the diseases which, in most cases, are curable, but are still very much present in the
FLORIDA: North Miami Man Files Notice to Sue VA over HIV Infection: Miami Herald (08.20.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; Fred Tasker; On July 20, Army veteran Juan Rivera filed notice that he is suing the federal government after allegedly becoming infected with HIV during a colonoscopy at the Miami VA hospital. The 55-year-old married father of five claims he was infected by improperly sterilized endoscopy equipment around May 19, 2008. According to
UNITED STATES: Access to AIDS Drugs in Danger, Activists Say: Chicago Tribune (08.20.09) - Thursday, August 20, 2009; Tom Hamburger; Representatives of aid groups are warning that the Obama administration, in its bid to craft a consensus health care reform package, is blocking access to cheaper AIDS treatment for patients in poor countries. On Wednesday, advocates met with administration officials at the State Department in Washington. Afterward, so
NEW YORK: Rockland Community College to Showcase AIDS Memorial Quilt: Journal News (White Plains) (08.17.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; Khurram Saeed; Rockland Community College and the Congers-based AIDS service organization TOUCH ( Together Our Unity Can Heal ) are coordinating to host a display of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Robert Maher, executive director of TOUCH, hopes to bring 250 12- by 12-foot blocks of the quilt to Rockland for the event, saying t
INDIANA: Walkers Warn About AIDS: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (08.16.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; Becky Manley; More than 20 people took part in the AIDS Walk that began Saturday s annual Project SHIP ( Serving Humanity through Innovative Programs ) Day in Fort Wayne. Project SHIP s year- round offerings include free HIV testing and education targeting youths, said the Rev. Sylvester Hunter of Union Baptist Church, the sponsor o
NEVADA: Burden of HIV Disease in Nevada 'Alarming': KOLOTV.com (Reno) (08.17.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; In the wake of this week s Nevada State Health Division report showing that the state ranks 24th nationally for cumulative AIDS cases, Reno s 2009 AIDS Walk will take place Saturday. The event, a first for the city, is being staged in memory of community member Steven Hendrix, who battled AIDS for 13 years until his de
TEXAS: San Antonio AIDS Foundation Offers Refuge for Homeless with HIV and AIDS: San Antonio Express-News (08.12.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; Nancy Prevor-Johnson; A new transitional home for the homeless living with HIV/AIDS opened this month in downtown San Antonio, and the facility already has its first six residents. San Antonio AIDS Foundation (SAAF) purchased the six-bedroom, two-story house near the Government Hill Historic District in July in order to fill the service gap
MASSACHUSETTS: Fenway Health: New Building, Classic Message: Bay Windows (Boston) (08.06.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; Hannah Clay Wareham; Though it relocated to a new, upgraded home on March 30, Fenway Health continues its mission of providing quality health care for underserved communities, namely the LGBT population. President Dr. Stephen Boswell views the 10-story, 100,000- square foot building at 1340 Boylston St. as a symbol of our community. It s
TANZANIA: STI Management in Tanzanian Private Drugstores: Practices and Roles of Drug Sellers: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 85: P. 300-308 (08..09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; N. Viberg; P. Mujinja; W. Kalala; L. Kumaranayake; S. Vyas; G. Tomson; C. Stalsby Lundborg; To assess the role of private drugstores in the management of sexually transmitted infections (STI) in rural Tanzania , the researchers designed a cross-sectional study that included drug sellers in eight districts of the country. The simulated client method was employed, presenting a male and a female STI case; in add
UNITED STATES: Study on Vaccine for Cervical Cancer Finds Benefits Despite Some Risks: New York Times (08.19.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; Roni Caryn Rabin; Adverse events following immunization with the human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV) Gardasil are comparable to rates seen with other vaccines on the market, according to a new study by CDC and Food and Drug Administration researchers. However, there have also been disproportionate reports of fainting episodes and blood c
GEORGIA: Georgia's State HIV Director Resigns: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (08.17.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; Dyana Bagby; The leader of Georgia s state HIV prevention unit has resigned after slightly more than one year on the job. In response to inquiries about the resignation of Raphael Holloway, Division of Public Health Communication Director Ravae Graham issued the following statement: Mr. Holloway s resignation as director of the HIV
UNITED STATES: Medical Groups Promoted HPV Vaccine Using Funds Provided by Drugmaker: Washington Post (08.19.09) - Wednesday, August 19, 2009; Rob Stein; In an analysis published today, two Columbia University researchers say that at least three medical societies promoted the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil with funds provided to them by its manufacturer, Merck & Co. The American College Health Association (ACHA), the American Society for Colposcopy and
UNITED STATES: Sexual Mixing Patterns and Partner Characteristics of Black MSM in Massachusetts at Increased Risk for HIV Infection and Transmission: Journal of Urban Health Vol. 86; No. 4: P. 602-623 (07..09) - Tuesday, August 18, 2009; Matthew J. Mimiaga; Sari L. Reisner; Kevin Cranston; Deborah Isenberg; Donna Bright; Gary Daffin; Sean Bland; Maura A. Driscoll; Rodney VanDerwarker; Benny Vega; Kenneth H. Mayer; In the current study, the researchers note that black men who have sex with men are at increased risk of HIV infection compared with other MSM. To explore possible reasons for this, the authors investigated sexual mixing patterns, partner characteristics and risk behaviors among black MSM. Between January and July 2008
UNITED STATES: Gel Condom to Empower Women: New Scientist (08.11.09) - Tuesday, August 18, 2009; Andy Coghlan; In a new study, researchers report promising results from tests of a gel that might act as a molecular condom to protect women against HIV. So far, Patrick Kiser of the University of Utah-Salt Lake City and colleagues have only tested the gel in the laboratory. Kiser said the goal of the research was to develop technol
CANADA: More Needles Given to Drug Users: Waterloo Region Record (08.17.09) - Tuesday, August 18, 2009; Frances Barrick; The number of sterile needles distributed to injection drug users in the Waterloo Region has increased three-fold over the past five years, said health officials. The uptick reflects better service provision rather than a growth in the number of IDUs, said Karen Verhoeve of the region s public health unit. The demand h
SOUTHEAST ASIA: Trafficked Women Face High HIV Infection Risk - Study: Reuters (08.12.09) - Tuesday, August 18, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; A new study of criminal activity in Cambodia , Indonesia , and Thailand finds nearly a quarter-million women and girls in Southeast Asia are forced into prostitution annually, placing them at risk for extreme situations of violence and exploitation. The report, Sex Trafficking and STI/HIV in So
ASIA-PACIFIC: Most Gay Men in Asia Have No Access to HIV Prevention, Care: The Nation (Bangkok) (08.13.09) - Tuesday, August 18, 2009; HIV prevention efforts targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons are lacking in many Asian countries, making them much more vulnerable to infection, warned speakers at the recent ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Bali, Indonesia . A 2006 survey of HIV preventi
CHINA: HIV/AIDS Epidemic Still on Rise in China, Expert Says: Xinhua News Agency (08.14.09) - Tuesday, August 18, 2009; Citing new estimates set to be released in November, the director of the National Center for AIDS/STD Control and Prevention said HIV continues to spread in China , chiefly by sexual transmission from persons in high-risk groups. The rise of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has yet to be under effective control, said Wu Zunyou.
UNITED STATES: Veterans to Routinely Be Offered HIV Tests: Associated Press (08.17.09) - Tuesday, August 18, 2009; Kimberly Hefling; In line with CDC recommendations, the Veterans Affairs Department announced Monday it will offer routine, opt-out HIV testing to all veterans receiving medical care at its facilities. Under the new policy, VA staff will provide HIV education materials and discuss testing, but they will not be required to use standardiz
CALIFORNIA: HIV/AIDS Specialist Dr. Enejosa Joins Desert AIDS Project: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (08.09.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; Terria Smith; The Desert AIDS Project has announced that Dr. Jeffrey Enejosa has joined its staff in the Wells Fargo HIV Health Center. A specialist in HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and related conditions, Enejosa is a board-certified physician with more than 14 years of experience in internal medicine, DAP said. For more information, teleph
GEORGIA: Wal-Mart Employee Tests Positive for TB: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (08.14.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; Katie Leslie; The news that an employee of the Riverdale Wal-Mart has a confirmed case of TB prompted the screening of 60 to 70 other store workers, health officials said on Thursday. The Clayton County Health Department learned of the initial case during the first week of August, said spokesperson Veronda Griffin. The store is loca
CUBA: AIDS on the Rise in Cuban Youth: Officials: Agence France Presse (08.16.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; In a televised interview Saturday, the deputy director of Havana s Tropical Medicine Institute warned that Cuba is tracking an increase in HIV cases among young people. Cuba saw more than 1,300 new HIV infections last year; another 1,400 are projected to occur this year; and those most at risk are ages 19 to 24. This
ALABAMA: University of Alabama at Birmingham Gets Millions for AIDS Center: Birmingham News (08.12.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; Dave Parks; The National Institutes of Health recently awarded $7.5 million to the Center for AIDS Research at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The five-year renewable grant will allow the medical center to continue its research on HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. The UAB center assists with HIV/AIDS research in developi
UNITED KINGDOM: Quick Chlamydia Urine Test Accurate in Men: Reuters (07.28.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; A chlamydia test for males using first-void urine has proven effective in a study, and the rapidity of its results could offer patients same-day treatment, say British researchers. Dr. Helen H. Lee of the University of Cambridge and colleagues evaluated the Chlamydia Rapid Test versus the polymerase chain reaction (PCR
UGANDA: Doctors Want Compulsory Circumcision of Soldiers: New Vision (Kampala) (08.10.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; Charles Ariko; A senior health official in Uganda recently suggested that prison and army personnel should be circumcised to prevent HIV infection. Police, corrections and army officials are among the most at-risk populations in Uganda, Dr. Stella Nema, an HIV/AIDS researcher, said during the launch of an HIV testing campaign at Luzi
SOUTH AFRICA: Cry for Help for Caregivers: Mail & Guardian (Johannesburg) (08.11.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; Faranaaz Parker; Late payment of the small monthly stipend that the Health Department provides to volunteer caregivers threatens to undermine the system, experts say. Among South Africa s nearly 39,000 community caregivers, 57 percent work in critical HIV and TB fields such as testing, treatment adherence, and home- based care. The Hea
ASIA-PACIFIC: Transgenders Assert Identity at AIDS Meeting: Inter Press Service (08.13.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; Lynette Lee Corporal; Few support networks, widespread discrimination, and low AIDS awareness put transgender persons at high risk of HIV infection, advocates said during the recent ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific. The lack of knowledge and information about reproductive health are compounded by confusion about
ALABAMA: Alabama No Longer Bars HIV Inmates from Work Release: Associated Press (08.13.09) - Monday, August 17, 2009; Desiree Hunter; HIV-positive inmates in Alabama will soon be able to participate in work release programs, said state Department of Corrections spokesperson Brian Corbett. The decision by Commissioner Richard Allen and other department officials follows years of campaigning by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and inmate advoc
GEORGIA: Congressman to Host Health Fair Saturday: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (08.12.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Screenings for HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure, and numerous other conditions will be offered at Saturday s fifth annual 13th Congressional District Health Fair at Mundy s Mill High School, 9652 Fayetteville Rd. in Jonesboro. Hosted by Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.), the event will also offer assistance with accessing gov
TEXAS: Quilt Reminds of Lives Lost to AIDS: San Antonio Express-News (08.12.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Nazish Dholakia; Beginning this Saturday, the Institute of Texan Cultures will present a display of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Twelve quilt blocks, each containing eight individual panels, will be on view through Sept. 20. It s a powerful memorial for those who have lost their lives to AIDS or HIV-related illnesses, said Mary
ILLINOIS: Third Suit Filed Against Milan McDonald's: Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (08.13.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Deirdre Cox Baker; Dustin Lemmon; The Seattle-based law firm Marler Clark, which specializes in cases involving food-borne illness, has now filed three lawsuits on behalf of persons who say they contracted hepatitis A from a McDonald s in Milan, Ill. The first litigation was a class-action suit on behalf of a male diner and all who contracted hepatitis
AFRICA: 800,000 More Workers Needed in Africa to Meet Health Goals by 2015: New York Times (08.11.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Sarah Arnquis; A new study published in the journal Health Affairs concludes that Africa has just 30 percent of the 1.16 million doctors, nurses, and midwives it needs to meet ambitious targets for reducing AIDS deaths and improving the health of mothers and children. Paying these additional workers - if they were available - would c
UNITED STATES: Sexual Risk Behaviors Among HIV-Positive Black Men Who Have Sex with Women, with Men, or with Men and Women: Implications for Intervention Development: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1072-1078 (06..09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Pilgrim S. Spikes, PhD, MSW, MPH; David W. Purcell, JD, PhD; Kim M. Williams, PhD, MSW; Ying Chen, PhD; Helen Ding, MD, MSPH; Patrick S. Sullivan, DVM, PhD; The study authors compared demographics and sexual and drug risk behaviors among HIV-positive black men who have sex with women only, with men only, or with men and women as a way to assess differences among and between these groups. Cross-sectional data from the Supplement to HIV and AIDS Surveillance Project for 2,03
CHINA: Condom 'Painting' Helps Promote Sex Education in China: Xinhua News Agency (08.08.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; At the recent fifth Reproductive Health Technology and Products Exhibition in Beijing, the Guilin Latex Factory wanted to show the public that sex can be beautiful and healthy, not a taboo not openly talked about, said Tao Ran, its manager. Guilin, one of China s leading condom producers, displayed an 18-by 3.5-meter t
GLOBAL: Drug Patents Come Under Fire at AIDS Conference: Inter Press Service (08.12.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Johanna Son; Governments and community advocates should campaign to reform international drug patent rights, especially with respect to life-saving HIV/AIDS drugs, advocates said Wednesday at the ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Bali, Indonesia . These are medicines that make for life and death, said
ASIA-PACIFIC: Innovative Media Tools Deliver HIV/AIDS Messages: Inter Press Service (08.12.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Lynette Lee Corporal; At this week s ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, the region s largest meeting on the pandemic, journalism and media experts called for rethinking how HIV/AIDS is reported. Syed Qamar Abbas, deputy manager of the AIDS control program in Pakistan s Sindh province, said creative approaches are
ASIA-PACIFIC: AIDS Congress in Indonesia Closes with Pledge to Involve AIDS-Related Communities in Treatment, Prevention: Xinhua News Agency (08.14.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; The ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific (ICAAP) concluded in Bali today with agreement that regional prevention and treatment efforts need more involvement from the communities most affected by the disease. Empowering people means that the affected communities not only regain but also have the
KENTUCKY: HIV Campaign Educating Kentuckians: WKYT.com (08.11.09) - Friday, August 14, 2009; Tamara Evans; At a news conference in Frankfort on Tuesday, health officials called on all Kentuckians to learn their HIV status as part of a national testing effort. The Test 1 Million Campaign targets African Americans, but state officials say its message of early detection and treatment applies to everyone. Every nine-and-a-half
CALIFORNIA: Stop AIDS Forums: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.13.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Cynthia Laird; Can a Pill a Day Prevent HIV? is the topic of a community forum being held this evening at 6 o clock at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St., San Francisco. At the event, physicians and others will discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis as a possible way to reduce HIV infection for HIV- negative people. At the same lo
NORTH CAROLINA: TB Cases Number 42 from Brunswick Jail Outbreak: Star-News (Wilmington) (08.10.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Vicky Eckenrode; Screening of some 650 current and former inmates and employees at the Brunswick County Jail has turned up 42 who tested positive for TB. Two persons have the active, contagious form of the disease, said Health Director Don Yousey. One former inmate s chest X-rays were deemed questionable; he is being examined to see if
ILLINOIS: Number of Hepatitis A Cases Now at 30: Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (08.12.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Deirdre Cox Baker; Thirty cases of hepatitis A have now been reported in an outbreak linked to a McDonald s restaurant, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Rock Island County Health Department said on Wednesday. The departments confirmed that all the infections involve people who visited the eatery at 400 W. 1st St. in Milan
INDONESIA: Protesters Seek Cheaper Drugs at HIV/AIDS Meeting: Reuters (08.12.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; Protesters demanding access to cheaper hepatitis C drugs for co-infected HIV patients disrupted the ninth International Conference on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Bali on Wednesday. Brandishing a banner proclaiming Hepatitis C + silence = death, the activists accused drug maker Roche AG of overpricing its pegylated
UNITED STATES: Abused, Maltreated Kids Have Sex Earlier: Study: Reuters Health (08.10.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Megan Rauscher; A new study has found that child maltreatment - physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect - raises the risk of early sexual intercourse. All types of mistreatment increase the risk for emotional distress at age 12 and sexual intercourse by age 14 and 16, said study co-author Dr. Maureen M. Black of the
CANADA: Injection Site for Toronto Under Study: Toronto Star (08.12.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Megan Ogilvie; For more than a year, researchers have been assessing the feasibility of supervised injection facilities in Toronto and Ottawa. SIFs provide users a place to inject drugs under medical supervision and care. Toronto s City Council requested the feasibility study based on recommendations from a city drug strategy that me
LEBANON: Younger Generation Must Be HIV-Aware to Prevent Spread: Daily Star (Beirut) (08.10.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Karah Byrns; The facts about HIV/AIDS can be a powerful weapon to thwart its spread. But in Lebanon , where statistics show most new HIV infections occur among people ages 20 to 30, getting the facts out can be difficult, experts say. We are having a sexual revolution in the midst of an AIDS epidemic, said Dr.
ASIA-PACIFIC: After Medical Gains in HIV, the New War Is on Stigma: Inter Press Service (08.11.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Johanna Son; Social intolerance and inequality too often shape which groups are preferentially targeted for HIV prevention and treatment in the region, experts and advocates said Tuesday at the ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Bali, Indonesia . Often-overlooked populations include prisoners, drug user
ARKANSAS: $340,419 Given to Fight AIDS' Spread: State Commission's Grants Go to 7 Groups Targeting the Vulnerable: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (07.31.09) - Thursday, August 13, 2009; Seven groups will split $340,419 in funding from the Arkansas Minority Health Commission to combat HIV/AIDS. Our goal is to strengthen organizations across the state by building our capacity to implement HIV prevention and awareness programs, said Patricia Minor, a registered nurse and project manager for the commissio
ASIA: Asian Development Bank to Fight HIV Spread in Road Projects: Xinhua News Agency (08.10.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; In a statement Monday acknowledging the role that infrastructure improvements can play in spreading HIV, the Asian Development Bank announced plans to boost interventions to counter the spread of the virus among long-distance truckers. ADB will expand its existing HIV action plans for projects to include pre- and post-
ANGOLA: US, Angola Sign AIDS Agreement During Clinton Visit: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (08.10.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; Stopping in Luanda on Monday during her tour of Africa, US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton met with Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, and the two signed an agreement aimed at fighting HIV. The document promises an additional $10 million from the United States to help Angola confront its AIDS epidemic
NORTH CAROLINA: Herpes Healing Comes in Numbers: Charlotte Observer (08.04.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; Alexa Garcia-Ditta; In 2005, Pam Wisniewski started a Charlotte-area herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV) support group, envisioning a group of 50 people who went out to a movie now and then. Today, the group has 1,100 members and continues to grow. For members, the group offers an opportunity to discuss sensitive subjects such as how to
ILLINOIS: Confab Discusses HIV Among African-American MSM: Chicago Free Press (08.06.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; Amy Wooten; Advocates, service providers, and other community members gathered at a July 31 conference in Chicago to respond to a new study showing a large racial disparity in HIV prevalence among local men who have sex with men. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) study found that more than 30 percent of local black MS
ILLINOIS: Hepatitis A Reporting: No Fault on Rock Island County's Part, Sheriff's Officials Say: Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (08.10.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; Deirdre Cox Baker; A report by the Rock Island County Sheriff s Department (RICSD) has concluded that the lack of proper disease reporting in the area s recent hepatitis A outbreak does not lie with the Rock Island County Health Department. According to investigators, Trinity Regional Health System did not immediately report a confirmed
SOUTH AFRICA: Diabetes Ups TB Risk in Children and Adolescents: Reuters Health (08.06.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; A new study conducted in the TB-endemic Western Cape province finds almost one in three children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes had positive TB skin tests and are at risk of developing active, infectious TB. Dr. E.A. Webb of the Desmond Tutu Tuberculosis Center in Cape Town and colleagues evaluated the prevalence
GLOBAL: Most Drug-Resistant TB Cases Go Untested - Global Fund Expert: Reuters (08.10.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; Tan Ee Lyn; On Monday in Bali at the ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, the executive director of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria warned of the under- diagnosis of multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) around the world. Even among those who have been diagnosed with MDR TB, just a fraction are bei
UNITED STATES: New TB Policy Could Disrupt Overseas Adoptions: Associated Press (08.10.09) - Wednesday, August 12, 2009; David Crary; A CDC policy intended to minimize the number of persons immigrating to the United States with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is drawing fire from advocates for international adoption. In 2007, CDC issued new rules regarding TB testing and treatment for immigrants older than two years, including those being adopted by
WISCONSIN: Rain-Soaked AIDS Riders Raise $300,000: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) (08.10.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Judy Newman; Despite periods of driving rain, 140 bicyclists rolled into Madison on Sunday, completing a four-day, 300-mile round-trip in the ACT 7 Wisconsin AIDS Ride. The riders were accompanied by 90 support staff and 150 other volunteers. Shawn Waldron, chair of the steering committee, said the seventh annual ride raised more t
NORTH CAROLINA: TV Stars Draw Teens to Abstinence Session: News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (08.09.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Ray Martin; Youth Explosion, an abstinence education outreach targeting inner-city youths, drew more than 500 people to Raleigh s Worthdale Community Center on Saturday. The community-based abstinence group Youth Awake paid for the event, which featured TV stars Lil JJ of Nickelodeon and Cee Cee Michaela, formerly of the UPN/CW c
AFRICA: UN Envoy Urges African States to Stiffen Laws on Preventing Rape: Xinhua News Agency (08.10.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; In a statement issued ahead of the third International Conference on the Great Lakes Region, the UN secretary- general s special envoy on HIV/AIDS in Africa called on the region s nine nations to take ownership of efforts to prevent rape and conflict situations. Elizabeth Mataka said rape is still being carried out in
CALIFORNIA: Funding Cuts Threaten AIDS Education and Prevention Programs in Marin: Contra Costa Times (08.04.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Richard Halstead; Recent reductions in state and private support for the Marin AIDS Project (MAP) have wiped out more than 18 percent of the nonprofit s annual budget, leaving some programs in jeopardy, officials said. MAP received $134,000 from California for prevention and education programming in fiscal 2008-09. However, MAP will rec
UNITED STATES: Both Hepatitis C Drugs Work About the Same: Study: Reuters (07.22.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Julie Steenhuysen; A large effectiveness study comparing Schering-Plough s pegylated-interferon Pegintron and ribavirin with Roche s Pegasys and ribavirin shows both hepatitis C treatments worked equally well. The study by Dr. Mark Sulkowski of Johns Hopkins University involved 3,000 patients with hepatitis C. Its findings are meant to h
ASIA-PACIFIC: 50 Million Asian Women at Risk of HIV Infection: UNAIDS: Agence France Presse (08.11.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Nusa Dua; A UNAIDS report released today in Bali at the ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific shows the impact HIV/AIDS is having on women in the region. More than 1.5 million women with HIV in Asia were infected by their partners, and 50 million more are at risk of infection, according to HIV Transmissio
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Symbol of Unhealed Congo: Male Rape Victims: New York Times (08.05.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Jeffrey Gettleman; Rape has long been a weapon of war in the extremely complicated conflict that has raged for years in Congo. Now, however, the fighting has entered a new phase as joint Congo- Rwanda forces battle rebels in renewed fighting that has driven a half-million villagers from their homes. And increasingly, aid groups say, rape
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO: Clinton Demands End to Sexual Violence in Congo: Associated Press (08.11.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Matthew Lee; US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton on Tuesday demanded an end to the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war by army and rebel troops fighting in Congo. Clinton spoke in the eastern city of Goma, an epicenter of gang rapes and other sexual assaults in the protracted battle for the country s mineral wealth.
MINNESOTA: State's Only Drop-In Needle-Exchange Program Shuttered by Economy, Anti-Drug Policies: Minnesota Independent (08.03.09) - Tuesday, August 11, 2009; Andy Birkey; Minnesota s only needle-exchange program that operated a drop- in center stopped providing services on July 24, said Access Works! officials. The poor economy hurt the Minneapolis organization more than any other factor, said Executive Director Lauri Wollner, though the ban on federal funding for NEPs was also an obsta
ASIA-PACIFIC: Call for Urgent Government Funding as AIDS Sweeps Through Region: Australian Associated Press (08.09.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Data presented in Bali at the ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific suggest that another 200 men who have sex with men are becoming infected with HIV in the region each day. In response, the Australian Federation of AIDS Organizations has called on Australia s government to provide immediate fund
CALIFORNIA: California Lawmaker to Sue Schwarzenegger over Vetoes: Associated Press (08.08.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Judy Lin; State Senate leader Darrell Steinberg (D) on Friday said he plans to file a lawsuit challenging Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger s use of line-item vetoes to slash an additional $489 million from the state budget passed by legislators. Included among those cuts was $52 million for HIV/AIDS services. Steinberg said the govern
COLORADO: Three More Hepatitis C Cases Discovered: Denver Post (08.08.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Michael Booth; State health authorities say three more cases of hepatitis C virus infection have been potentially linked to a surgery technician s drug-theft scheme. While working at Rose Medical Center in Denver and later at Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs, the technician is alleged to have stolen syringes containing the
UNITED STATES: Trends in Mortality and Causes of Death Among Women with HIV in the United States: A 10-Year Study: JAIDS Vol. 51; No. 4: P. 399-406 (08..09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Audrey L. French; Susan H. Gawel; Ronald Hershow; Lorie Benning; Nancy A. Hessol; Alexandra M. Levine; Kathryn Anastos; Michael Augenbraun; Mardge H. Cohen; Toward the goal of assessing trends in mortality and causes of death for HIV-positive women, the authors studied deaths occurring during a 10-year period among participants in the Women s Interagency HIV Study, a representative US cohort. Deaths were ascertained by National Death Index Plus match; death certificates we
CANADA: New Methadone Clinic Will Open Monday: Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick) (08.06.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Sandra Davis; A new methadone clinic set to open in St. John on Aug. 10 already has 177 clients signed up to participate, officials say. Based in St. Joseph s Community Health Center, the clinic does not have a pre-set limit on the number of patients who will be provided methadone maintenance therapy. When administered once-daily in
SOUTH AFRICA: Empower the Home-Based Care Workers: Inter Press Service (08.06.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Lucas Ledwaba; With an adult HIV prevalence rate of 21.5 percent, South Africa is struggling to provide AIDS-related services to patients. Those on the front lines of disease-fighting efforts there say the government should embrace and support one often overlooked option - home-based care. Home-based care is probably the only workabl
SOUTH AFRICA: Clinton Urges South Africans to Open Up on AIDS: Agence France Presse (08.08.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other senior US officials visited an AIDS clinic in South Africa on Friday during a seven-nation tour to highlight development issues on the continent. Located 50 miles west of Johannesburg in Cullinan, the clinic receives support from the South African government as well as a $57
ASIA-PACIFIC: Experts Gather in Bali to Discuss Fight Against AIDS: Agence France Presse (08.09.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; An estimated 5 million Asians are living with HIV/AIDS, and at any given time about one-fifth of those infected will need treatment, UNAIDS experts told the ninth International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific in Bali, Indonesia . With just 25 percent of those in the region who need treatment receiving it, We
ILLINOIS: HIV/AIDS Services Survive Quinn's Cut: Windy City Times (Chicago) (08.05.09) - Monday, August 10, 2009; Sam Worley; Under a plan released July 31, Gov. Pat Quinn ensured that state funding for HIV/AIDS services will remain essentially intact in the new fiscal year. The FY 2010 Illinois budget, which passed on July 15, funded HIV/AIDS agencies and other social services at 50 percent of previous levels. It did, however, include $3.4 b
NEW YORK: At Least One Retailer Is Expanding in this Economy: New York Times (07.31.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; Housing Works, which provides a range of housing and other services to people living with HIV/AIDS, this year is expanding by 50 percent the number of thrift stores it operates. Its TriBeCa store has moved from 72 Warren St. to a much larger facility at 119 Chambers St. In addition, Housing Works opened a new store in
ARKANSAS: Arkansas and Fort Smith Get $37 Million in Grants from HUD: Associated Press (08.05.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; The US Housing and Urban Development Department has announced $36.6 million in housing and community development grants for Arkansas and the city of Fort Smith. Included in the funds is $797,682 to support Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS projects.
INDONESIA: About 4,000 Indonesian Migrant Women Workers Infected by HIV/AIDS Each Year: Survey: Xinhua News Agency (08.05.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; Each year some 4,000 female migrant workers come home to Indonesia infected with HIV, the Bali Health Foundation (Yakeba) reported on Wednesday. Most of the women worked in manufacturing, on plantations or as housemaids, said Bob Monthouse, the foundation s director. The data were obtained from a migrant workers arriv
UNITED STATES: Screening Male Prisoners for Chlamydia trachomatis: Impact on Test Positivity Among Women from Their Neighborhoods Who Were Tested in Family Planning Clinics: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 36; No. 7; P. 425-429 (07..09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; Thomas A. Peterman; Daniel R. Newman; Martin Goldberg; Greta L. Anschuetz; Melinda Slamon; Catherine L. Satterwhite; Stuart M. Berman; Chlamydia trachomatis screening test positivity among women in the United States has remained high, leading researchers to suggest that programs should also screen men, explained the authors of the current study. Philadelphia prisons have screened male inmates since 2002. Similar to jails in other jurisdictions, the P
AFRICA: Early Antiretroviral Therapy - A Stitch in Time: Inter Press Service (07.31.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; Miriam Mannak; Recent studies have shown that HIV patients live longer when they begin taking antiretrovirals (ARVs) before their CD4 cell count falls below 350 - a finding that supports starting therapy earlier. But most resource-limited countries, especially in Africa, struggle even to comply with the less- aggressive approach curr
SOUTH ASIA; ASIA-PACIFIC: Indonesia, South Asia New Flashpoints in AIDS Fight: Experts: Agence France Presse (08.07.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; Arlina Arshad; Delegates from 65 countries are expected at next week s International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific, which will be held in Bali, Indonesia . The congress will focus on strategic responses, especially preventing HIV among intravenous drug users (IDUs) and expanding treatment to the 75 percent of HIV patients
GLOBAL: Drug Makers to Supply Cheap HIV Treatments: Agence France Presse (08.06.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; Under a deal announced Thursday by former President Bill Clinton, US drug companies Mylan and its subsidiary Matrix will cut their prices for second-line HIV/AIDS drugs in developing nations. Atazanavir , ritonavir , tenofovir , an
ARIZONA: 2 Resign from Women's Health Panel: Arizona Republic (Phoenix) (08.02.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; Matthew Benson; Two state Planned Parenthood representatives have resigned from the 23-member Governor s Commission on Women s and Children s Health, citing conflicts with Republican Gov. Jan Brewer s policies. In a letter, Planned Parenthood Arizona Chairperson Dr. Candace Lew and President and CEO Bryan Howard accused Brewer of favo
COLORADO: Surgery Tech Pleads Not Guilty in Hepatitis Case: Associated Press (08.06.09) - Friday, August 07, 2009; P. Solomon Banda; On Thursday, a former surgery technician pleaded not guilty to federal charges involving a syringe-swapping scheme that prosecutors say potentially exposed patients at two Colorado hospitals to hepatitis C virus. Prosecutors say the HCV- infected technician switched out saline-filled syringes for ones containing Fentan
GERMANY: German High Court Rejects Sex Education Opt-Out: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (08.06.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; On Thursday, Germany s high court ruled that parents cannot exclude their children from sex education lessons on religious grounds. The case involved parents from East Westphalia who were fined ?80 (US $115) for keeping their children at home to prevent their participation in a school theater project on sexual abuse, a
CALIFORNIA: Hundreds Rally in San Francisco Against AIDS Cuts: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.06.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; At noon Wednesday, several hundred people gathered across from the state office building in San Francisco to protest $82 million in cuts to state AIDS programs under the new budget for the fiscal 2009-10 period. The cuts include $52 million in general-fund support to AIDS programs that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger excise
CALIFORNIA: Legal Opinion Adds to Flap over Governor's Vetoes: Los Angeles Times (08.06.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; Eric Bailey; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger overstepped his constitutional powers when he used line-item vetoes last week to cut more than $487 million from the state budget, legal counsel for California s Legislature said Wednesday. The governor cut funding from numerous programs including for HIV testing and prevention, children s he
UNITED STATES: HIV-Infected Women Often Skip Pap Tests: Study: Reuters Health (07.30.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; Nearly a quarter of HIV-positive women have not had a Pap exam in the previous year, a new study finds. Noting it is important to remember that HIV-positive women are at higher risk of infection with human papillomavirus, the main cause of cervical cancer, and for abnormal Pap findings, Dr. Alexandra M. Oster and colle
UNITED STATES: Scientists Decode HIV Genome Structure: Study: Agence France Presse (08.06.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; In a development with potential implications for treating not only AIDS but also other viral infections like hepatitis C and the common cold, US scientists have successfully completed the first map of the entire genome of HIV. We are beginning to understand the tricks the genome uses to help the virus escape detection
UNITED KINGDOM: Free Condoms Dispensed to Young: BBC (08.03.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; In December, the National Health Service primary care trust in Hull launched a condom vending machine program to encourage young people who are sexually active to use protection. The first machine was installed in a pilot run at Hull College, and it proved so successful that more machines are being placed at other coll
AUSTRALIA: More Women Can Now Access Anti-Cancer Vaccine: Australian Associated Press (08.04.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; Danny Rose; On Tuesday, Australia s Therapeutic Goods Administration gave approval for the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine Gardasil to be administered in women up to age 45. Until now, Gardasil, which protects against four HPV strains linked to most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts, was approved for use in women up to
AFRICA: HIV Laws Do More Harm than Good: Inter Press Service (07.30.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; Miriam Mannak; Twenty countries in Africa have or are considering criminal HIV transmission laws. But advocates working to prevent the virus spread say such measures can hurt more than help the fight against HIV/AIDS. If being HIV-positive is being regarded as a crime, people will be less likely to get themselves tested, said Johanna
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. to Offer STD Tests in Every High School: Washington Post (08.05.09) - Thursday, August 06, 2009; Darryl Fears; Nelson Hernandez; A pilot program in eight Washington high schools last year found that 13 percent of some 3,000 students tested were positive for an STD. Now the District plans to expand the effort and offer STD testing to all the city s approximately 12,000 high school students. The program tells us that a lot of students in the publi
NEW JERSEY: AIDS Awareness Event Set in Asbury Park: Asbury Park Press (07.31.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; Nancy Shields; On Aug. 8, a free AIDS awareness event is scheduled for noon at the West Side Community Center, 115 DeWitt Ave. Clarissa Samuel, Ryan White case manager with the Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey in Asbury Park, will conduct HIV/AIDS education and perform HIV testing. Other topics will include gang violence,
KANSAS: Health Officials Confirm TB Case at Kansas State University: Associated Press (07.29.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; State health officials have confirmed a case of infectious pulmonary TB in a student at Kansas State University. Kansas Health and Environment officials said they are working with the university to evaluate anyone who may have come in close contact with the student, who is responding to treatment and is expected to mak
NEW MEXICO: State Trains Inmates in Preventing Hepatitis C: Associated Press (07.28.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; New Mexico health and corrections officials are training 10 male inmates on how to educate their peers about hepatitis C, a disease that affects roughly 38 percent of the state prison population. The inmates will receive 32 hours of training on the blood-borne virus and other infectious diseases. As of June, New Mexico
TEXAS: Number of HIV Cases in East Texas on the Rise: Lufkin Daily News (08.02.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; Jessica Cooley; Health Horizons in Nacogdoches has expanded its free HIV testing outreach efforts in the 12-county Deep East Texas region it serves. As a result, the proportion of people testing HIV-positive at the organization has increased, said Executive Director Wilbert Brown. More people have tested HIV- positive at Health Horizo
MICHIGAN: City Defends Release of Private Health Information: Lansing State Journal (08.04.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; Susan Vela; Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has written a letter requesting that Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox independently investigate whether the city acted improperly in a case involving the disclosure of an individual s HIV status. In May, Lansing police working undercover at the Fenner Nature Center arrested a man on a charg
UNITED STATES: AIDS Patients at Increased Risk for HPV-Related Cancers: Reuters Health Medical News (07.31.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; People with AIDS have a statistically significant higher risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers, with risks increasing along with immunosuppression, according to a new study. Dr. Anil K. Chaturvedi of the National Cancer Institute and colleagues analyzed 499,230 AIDS diagnoses from the beginning of the e
MAURITANIA: Fighting AIDS in a Conservative Country: Inter Press Service (08.04.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; Ebrima Sillah; AIDS activists in Mauritania say they must be content with delivering watered-down prevention messages in order to avoid creating offense in the highly conservative Muslim nation. By talking about condom use or safe sex openly, you are likely going to generate negative reactions even from moderate groups, said Malayai
AUSTRALIA: Teenagers Want Sex - But a Third Get Unwanted Sex: The Age (Melbourne) (08.04.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; Farah Farouque; In a national survey of Australian high school students, one- third said they have experienced unwanted sex, often due to being pressured or being drunk. The prevalence of reports of unwanted sex suggests that sex education classes should emphasize how underage drinking can result in poor sexual decision making, said P
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Report Card on AIDS Shows Some Improvement: Washington Post (08.05.09) - Wednesday, August 05, 2009; Darryl Fears; The District has made several recent advances in addressing its HIV/AIDS epidemic, notes a report released today by the D.C. Appleseed Center for Law and Justice. In its fifth Report Card on the District s response to HIV, the center gave the city its highest marks for expanding HIV testing in the general population an
ZAMBIA: Zambia Rejects Batch of Holed Condoms: Agence France Presse (08.03.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; The Zambia Bureau of Standards (ZABS) on Monday halted sales of two brands of condoms -- Evolution and Hot -- after testing revealed holes in them. The two brands of condoms have been withdrawn for failing to meet the critical electrical freedom from holes test, said bureau spokesperson Dingase Makumba. He said a consi
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Minister Says World Cup May Increase HIV/AIDS: Reuters (07.31.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; Michael Georgy; As South Africa prepares to host the next World Cup -- June 11-July 11, 2010 -- the nation s health minister has warned that the huge event could further the spread of HIV/AIDS. Speaking before the national AIDS council, Aaron Motsoaledi said, 2010 is going to come with good things but it may also come with dangerous t
COLORADO: 18 Hepatitis C Cases Now Appear Linked to Infected Tech: Denver Post (08.01.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; Eighteen hepatitis C infections now appear to be linked to a fired Colorado surgical technician with the virus. State health officials revised the total, previously reported as 15 cases, based on test results received from Rose Medical Center and Audubon Surgery Center, where the technician was employed. All but one of
MASSACHUSETTS: Caution for and from Teens; Safer-Sex Campaign Makes Use of Peers on Facebook, YouTube, Cable: Boston Globe (08.04.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; Stephen Smith; Today, Boston health officials are debuting a new safer-sex campaign aimed at reducing high STD rates among city teenagers. The initiative will reach teens via their preferred modes of communication: Facebook, YouTube and cable channels like MTV and BET. The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is devoting its entire
UNITED STATES: Prechewed Infant Food May Transmit AIDS Virus: Reuters Health (07.21.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; A new medical report offers evidence of infants being infected with HIV by eating premasticated food chewed by HIV-positive caregivers. Prechewing food for infants, usually during the weaning period, has been documented in various parts of the world, including the United States . The new study involves three babies wit
INDONESIA: Indonesia's Drug Fight Pushing Prison AIDS Explosion: Agence France Presse (08.03.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; Aubrey Belford; Indonesia s war on drugs has overwhelmed its prisons, concentrating injecting drug users (IDUs) in a setting where drug use is rife and blood-borne diseases can be spread easily, advocates say. Of Indonesia s nearly 12,000 prisoners, almost 6,900 were arrested for drug crimes. Inside Jakarta s Salemba prison, an inject
MOZAMBIQUE: Mozambicans Protest Overhaul of HIV Care: Agence France Presse (08.03.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; Hundreds of protesters marched to the Health Ministry in Maputo on Monday, demanding better treatment and more privacy for HIV patients. Some 16 percent of adults in Mozambique are HIV-infected, making it one of the world s worst-affected countries. In February, health authorities closed specialized HIV centers, or day
CALIFORNIA: Advocates Fear Spike in HIV Due to California Budget Cuts: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (07.30.09) - Tuesday, August 04, 2009; Matthew S. Bajko; As a result of cuts passed by the Legislature as well as those invoked as line-item vetoes by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the state Office of AIDS budget was slashed from $167.3 million to $82.4 million for fiscal 2009-10. Advocates worry the state is setting itself up for failure after years of keeping new HIV infecti
CHINA: Abortions Surge in China; Officials Cite Poor Sex Education: New York Times (07.31.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; Mark McDonald; Inadequate sex education among Chinese youths is resulting in many unplanned pregnancies that end in abortion, Chinese health officials said in the state-run China Daily on Thursday. More than 13 million abortions are performed annually in China - a significant increase from 2003, when the
INDIA: Testing Shows 2,000 Percent Rise in Child HIV Cases: CNN.com (07.29.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; India s health minister told parliament on Wednesday that HIV infections among children grew from 2,253 cases in November 2006 to 52,973 in May 2009 - an increase of more than 2,000 percent. Ghulam Nabi Azad attributed the jump to expanded testing. India now has 5,155 sites offering HIV testing and counseling, and 217
TENNESSEE: Coalition Protests Planned Parenthood's Move: Knoxville News-Sentinel (08.01.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; Kristi L. Nelson; Planned Parenthood s Knoxville Health Center (KHC) is scheduled to relocate to a larger space at 4928 Homberg Dr. in Bearden from its current site in a small strip mall at 8078 Kingston Pike. But the move is being criticized by the Pro-Life Coalition of East Tennessee, which says the blueprints Planned Parenthood submi
MISSISSIPPI: HIV, TB Prompt Hinds Jail Upgrades: Clarion-Ledger (Jackson) (07.23.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; Heather Civil; In a letter sent to Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin, the Mississippi Department of Health outlined upgrades needed at the county jail to lower infection risk and improve health screenings. Following positive TB tests in two inmates at the jail, the Health Department in June screened some 800 inmates. So far, 41 i
MARYLAND: Religions Unite in AIDS Fight: Baltimore Sun (07.22.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; Angela J. Bass; On July 21, 11 churches across Baltimore converted their event rooms, basements and kitchens into HIV testing sites where more than 40 volunteers administered oral swab tests with results in 20 minutes. Organizers of Project Shalem - which means peace or safe place in the Christian, Islamic and Jewish faiths - expected
FLORIDA: HIV on the Rise - Minorities Hit Hard: Orlando Sentinel (07.30.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; Erik Maza; In the four-county Central Florida region, almost 800 new HIV cases were recorded in 2008, says a new report by the Health Council of East Central Florida. While African Americans account for only 15 percent of the population of Lake, Orange, Osceola and Seminole counties, they represent 39 percent of residents living
FRANCE; CAMEROON: New HIV Strain Leapt to Humans from Gorillas: Study: Agence France Presse (08.02.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; French researchers have identified a human case of a new HIV subtype that is closely related to gorilla simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVgor). Until now, HIV strains in humans have been linked to similar viruses in chimpanzees. In 2004, soon after moving to Paris, a Cameroon-born woman was tested for HIV. While HIV-1
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Races to Rescue Needle Funding: Washington Post (07.31.09) - Monday, August 03, 2009; Darryl Fears; Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) and District officials are working to convince House members to eliminate a proposed amendment that would effectively reinstate a ban on using D.C. tax dollars for needle-exchange programs (NEPs). The amendment to the D.C. appropriation bill for 2010 would prohibit the District from
ILLINOIS: International Mr. Leather Bans Barebacking: Windy City Times (Chicago) (07.29.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; International Mr. Leather organizers recently announced that starting with next year s event, they will no longer allow vendors who promote barebacking, or unprotected anal sex. The annual gathering and contest in Chicago has attracted thousands of gay men since its 1979 launch. Vendors will also not be permitted to di
ILLINOIS: New Hepatitis A Case Found in Henry County: Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (07.29.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; Deirdre Cox Baker; Henry County has reported another case of hepatitis A linked to a McDonald s restaurant in Milan, Ill., bringing the total number of cases in the Quad-City region to at least 26. Rock Island County has logged 15, Mercer County five, one each in Warren and Woodford counties, and two in Scott County, Iowa. To date, publi
CALIFORNIA: HIV State Cuts Could Lead to More Infections, Advocates Say: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (07.29.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; Nicole C. Brambila; Desert AIDS Project (DAP) officials are wondering how a $52 million cut to state AIDS prevention and treatment efforts, ordered Tuesday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, will impact testing efforts in the Palm Springs area. HIV/AIDS is a particularly critical issue in Palm Springs, which boasts one of the largest gay popu
ILLINOIS: Frank Talk from the Sex Doctor: Chicago Tribune (07.27.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; Megan Twohey; Hyde Park sexologist Dr. Rachael Ross, who dispenses advice about sex and reproductive health on radio stations B96 and Power 92, as well as the BET cable channel, has developed a growing fan base among young people in Chicago and beyond. Ross mission is to address the misguided attitudes and dangerous sexual behaviors
PENNSYLVANIA: Girlfriends Project Uses Novel Idea to Teach Black Women in Three Communities About Risks of HIV: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (07.29.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; Pohla Smith; The Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force is bringing an HIV prevention and domestic-violence prevention program into African-American women s homes in Duquesne, Clairton, and Braddock. We expected we might get 50 to 60 women participating each year, said Daphne Parker, PATF s prevention services director. From January through Ju
UNITED STATES: HIV Infection and Chronic Drinking Have a Synergistic, Damaging Effect on the Brain: Science Daily (07.24.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; Chronic heavy alcohol use in HIV patients is highly prevalent, though the potentially compounded effect of these conditions is seldom considered, noted Edith V. Sullivan of Stanford University and colleagues. In their study, researchers examined components of working and episodic memory in HIV infection and chronic alc
NAMIBIA: Plan Slashes Mother-to-Child HIV Infections: Inter Press Service (07.28.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; Servaas Van Den Bosch; Despite huge challenges, vast and sparsely populated Namibia s early infant diagnosis (EID) program is making significant progress in reducing the number of babies with HIV. Ministry of Health figures indicate that since the program s launch in 2006, the proportion of newborns with HIV has fallen from 13 percent to 2 p
ILLINOIS: Steamy TV, No Discussion Lead to More STDs: State Journal-Register (Springfield) (07.27.2009) - Friday, July 31, 2009; Dean Olsen; Each year in Illinois, state-funded public health clinics screen more than 170,000 people for STDs, according to Charlie Rabins, chief of the STD program at the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). New cases of chlamydia in Illinois reached an all-time high in 2008 - 59,169. Popular culture glamorizes sex. Ther
CHINA: Chinese Lesbians Petition for Right to Donate Blood: Agence France Presse (07.28.09) - Thursday, July 30, 2009; At least 540 lesbians have signed an online petition asking the Chinese government to allow them to donate blood. China s estimated 30 million homosexuals include some 10 million lesbians, according to health ministry data cited by the China Daily. We just hope the authorities respect our kind intention to donate blood
UGANDA: HIV on the Rise Again in Uganda as Complacency Sets In: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (07.16.09) - Thursday, July 30, 2009; A new government report shows some 90,000 Ugandans became infected with HIV in 2008, increasing the country s overall infection rate to 6.4 percent from 6 percent four years ago. Of the new infections among those ages 15-49, 43 percent occurred in people who reported being in a monogamous relationship over the past 12
CALIFORNIA: Needle Exchange Ban Could Be Lifted: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (07.30.09) - Thursday, July 30, 2009; Seth Hemmelgarn; If approved, legislation winding through Congress that authorizes federal funding of syringe-exchange programs could eventually help local SEPs. In San Francisco, SEPs have been credited with keeping HIV incidence down among injection drug users (IDUs). If the federal ban is lifted, it gives jurisdictions much more fle
LOUISIANA: AIDS Rate High in the Baton Rouge Area: The Advocate (Baton Rouge) (07.26.09) - Thursday, July 30, 2009; Steven Ward; CDC data show that in 2007, the nine-parish Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked third in prevalence of AIDS cases (31.4 cases per 100,000 population) after New Orleans (31.5) and Miami (33.1). Insiders cite several factors that may be contributing to the MSA s high AIDS rate: *Poor access to care. Some in
UGANDA: Preventive Service Needs of Young People Perinatally Infected with HIV in Uganda: AIDS Care (06.09) Vol. 21; No. 6: P. 725-731 - Thursday, July 30, 2009; Harriet Birungi; Francis Obare; John Frank Mugisha; Humphres Evelia; Juliana Nyombi; Toward the goal of identifying the preventive service needs of young people born with HIV, the current study examines the sexual expressions and experiences -- as well as the preventive practices -- of 732 males and females, ages 15 to 19, who were perinatally infected with the virus. The data come from a 2007 project
SOUTH AFRICA: A Window of Dignity for Those Imprisoned by TB: New York Times (07.29.09) - Thursday, July 30, 2009; Celia W. Dugger; Under an approach authorized by South Africa s current policy, patients with multidrug-resistant TB can be forced into long- term hospitalization for treatment and isolation behind concertina wire. But in the crowded township of Khayelitsha in Cape Town, Doctors Without Borders (DWB) is piloting a program to treat MDR-
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa's Population Growth Slows as AIDS Deaths Increase: Bloomberg News (07.27.09) - Thursday, July 30, 2009; Nasreen Seria; HIV/AIDS deaths are a driving factor behind a slowing of South Africa s population growth rate for the second year in a row, Statistics South Africa (SSA) said Monday. Over a one-year period ending June 2009, the population rose 1.07 percent, compared with 1.1 percent during the previous 12 months. In 2001-02, the grow
TEXAS: Fresh Start Grant to Help Ex-Prisoners Get HIV/AIDS Care: Austin American-Statesman (07.26.09) - Thursday, July 30, 2009; Andrea Ball; In Texas, federal funds are helping recently released African- American prisoners at risk of HIV become reintegrated into society. With the help of a $1.6 million grant from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, AIDS Services of Austin is offering ex-prisoners education, street outreach, counse
CALIFORNIA: Dr. Joel D. Weisman, 1943-2009; Among the First Doctors to Detect AIDS: Los Angeles Times (07.23.09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Elaine Woo; One of the physicians who documented cases of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia among five young gay men in California in 1981, the first report of AIDS, died July 18 in Los Angeles. In 1980, Dr. Joel D. Weisman noticed a troubling pattern of similar symptoms in three seriously ill male patients of his general practice in
NORTHERN NEW ENGLAND: NNE Receiving HIV/AIDS Housing Assistance: Associated Press (07.23.09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced more than $3.8 million in housing grants to help low-income families living with HIV/AIDS in Northern New England. Allocations include: $1.3 million for the Frannie Peabody Center in Portland, Maine; $1.4 million for the city of Portland; $716,000 for New
UNITED NATIONS: UN Allows Gay, Lesbian Group to Join Debates: Associated Press (07.27.09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Bradley S. Klapper; The UN Economic and Social Council s decision on Monday to grant official status to the Brazilian Association of Gays, Lesbians and Transsexuals gives that organization the right to participate in UN meetings on a range of topics. This is the third consecutive year the council has overturned a committee ruling blocking
KENYA: The Structure and Outcomes of a HIV Post-Exposure Prophylaxis Program in a High HIV Prevalence Setup in Western Kenya: JAIDS Vol. 51; No. 1: P. 47-53 (05..09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Abraham M. Siika, MMed; Winston M. Nyandiko, MMed; Ann Mwangi, MSc; Michael Waxman, MD; John E. Sidle; Sylvester N. Kimaiyo, MD; Kara Wools-Kaloustian, MD; In 2001, HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) was initiated in western Kenya , explained the authors of the current study, which sought to describe the design, implementation, and evolution of the program. Patient data were analyzed for reasons, time to initiation, and PEP outcome. Occupational PEP was initiated fir
CANADA: An Integrated Supervised Injecting Program Within a Care Facility for HIV-Positive Individuals: A Qualitative Evaluation: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 5: P. 638-644 (05..09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Andrea Krusi; Will Small; Evan Wood; Thomas Kerr; Little study has been devoted to the potential role that supervised injecting programs could play in increasing access to prevention and care services for injection drug users (IDUs) who are HIV-positive. The authors of the current report conducted 22 semi-structured interviews with HIV-positive IDUs regarding a superv
CAMBODIA: HIV Families Relocated to Cambodia's 'AIDS Colony': CNN.com (07.28.09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Representatives of more than 100 global HIV/AIDS and social justice organizations have signed a letter protesting the Cambodian government s relocation of a number of HIV/AIDS- affected families into a settlement that locals have dubbed the AIDS colony. Last month, the government began moving the families out of the Bo
SOUTH AFRICA: New Effort to Fight AIDS Unveiled: Independent Online (Cape Town) (07.28.09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; South African Press Association; South Africa s government on Tuesday launched a new research and development program to fight HIV/AIDS. South Africa is investigating every possible avenue to beat the virus, said Naledi Pandor, the science and technology minister. The South African HIV/AIDS Research and Innovation Platform (SHARP) will focus on the de
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA: Alarming Africa Male Gay HIV Rate: BBC (07.20.09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; A new report finds high rates of HIV infection among widespread networks of men who have sex with men (MSM) across Africa, and it suggests these networks may be closely associated with predominantly heterosexual networks in the general population. Even so, most African MSM have no safe access to prevention information
CALIFORNIA: Governor Signs, Slashes Budget: San Francisco Chronicle (07.29.09) - Wednesday, July 29, 2009; Wyatt Buchanan; On Tuesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved an $84 billion state budget, exercising line-item vetoes to slash an additional $489 million that affect many health programs including HIV prevention. Democratic leaders say they will challenge the legality of most of the new cuts, contending the particular funding lines
ALABAMA: Birmingham Awarded $9.8 Million in HUD Grants: Birmingham News (07.24.09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Jeremy Gray; The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has announced an award of more than $9.8 million in housing- related grants to Birmingham, including $554,848 for people with HIV/AIDS. The money will help provide rental assistance and support for individuals and families affected by HIV, and it will help communities
TOGO: Global Fund Grants Togo $108 Million to Fight AIDS: Agence France Presse (07.17.09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Togo is receiving a $108 million grant from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, according to the Western African nation s health ministry. Antiretrovirals have been available for free since November in Togo, whose HIV prevalence rate is estimated at 3.2 percent. The national HIV prevention agency says abou
AFRICA: Branson Proposes Public Health Agency for Africa: Associated Press (07.22.09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; According to a statement released on July 22, British billionaire Richard Branson and South African President Jacob Zuma are discussing the foundation of a public health agency - described as being similar to the US CDC - to address Africa s health needs. Saying such an agency will ultimately help save millions of live
OHIO: Teens Spread the Word About Abstinence: Akron Beacon Journal (07.26.09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Kim Hone-McMahan; Ohio teenagers calling themselves CATS ( Concerned About Teen Sexuality ) are encouraging others to follow their lead in abstaining from sex before marriage. CATS is an effort of Akron s Abstinence the Better Choice (ABC), which for more than 20 years has encouraged teens to steer clear of sex, drugs, and alcohol. We
GEORGIA: SisterLove Marks 20 Years: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (07.25.09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Shelia M. Poole; SisterLove, an Atlanta-based nonprofit focusing on HIV/AIDS and reproductive issues for women, particularly women of color, celebrated its 20th anniversary on Saturday with a special program at Spelman College. The group also honored 20 women who have lived with HIV/AIDS for at least 20 years. At the time they were dia
UNITED STATES: Depressive Symptoms and Sexual Risk Behavior in Young, Chlamydia-Infected, Heterosexual Dyads: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 45; No. 1: P. 63-69 (07..09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Lydia A. Shrier, MD, MPH; Julia A. Schillinger, MD, MSc; Parul Aneja, ScM; Peter A. Rice, MD; Byron E. Batteiger, MD; Phillip G. Braslins, MD, FRACP, MPHTM; Donald P. Orr, MD; J. Dennis Fortenberry, MD, MS; The current study examined the associations between depressive symptoms and dyad-level sexual risk behavior in young heterosexual dyads with sexually transmitted infection (STI). An assessment that included demographics, past and current STI risk behaviors, and the Beck Depression Inventory was administered to chlamydi
UNITED STATES: Longitudinal Association of Alcohol Use with HIV Disease Progression and Psychological Health of Women with HIV: AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 7: P. 834-841 (07..09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Musie Ghebremichael; Elijah Paintsil; Jeannette R. Ickovics; David Vlahov; Paula Schuman; Robert Boland; Ellie Schoenbaum; Janet Moore; Heping Zhang; The association of alcohol consumption and depression, and their effects on HIV disease progression among women with HIV, were the subjects of the current study. The participants were 871 HIV-positive women recruited in four US cities between 1993 and 1995. The participants underwent physical examination, medical recor
UGANDA: Uganda Investigates HIV Patients' Deaths: Associated Press (07.27.09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Godfrey Olukya; Uganda s Health Ministry is investigating reports of HIV patients dying due to a shortage of antiretroviral drugs. In the north, Apac district health officials have said 17 patients previously receiving treatment died in the past month when they lacked access to ARVs, Dr. Zainab Akol, manager of the ministry s HIV/AIDS
UNITED STATES: Vets Affected by VA Hospital Errors to File Claims: Associated Press (07.27.09) - Tuesday, July 28, 2009; Bill Poovey; An attorney representing about 60 veterans will ask the US Department of Veterans Affairs to pay disability benefits and damages for mistakes that may have exposed them to blood-borne infections. Mike Sheppard of Nashville said he expects other affected veterans will join the complaint. Sheppard s clients are among the
CALIFORNIA: Walkers Raise $3.5 Million for Bay Area AIDS Organizations: Contra Costa Times (07.19.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Sean Maher; More than 25,000 people participated in the 23rd annual AIDS Walk San Francisco, raising over $3.5 million for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and many other Bay Area HIV/AIDS service organizations. While the amount was down by about $900,000 from the 2008 walk, it s still really gratifying given this economy, said D
NEW YORK: Port Chester Schools to Offer Pregnancy, STD Tests: Journal News (White Plains) (07.26.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Theresa Juva; Under a measure recently approved by the Port Chester School Board, Open Door Family Medical Centers will expand the services it provides in elementary, middle, and high schools to include STD and pregnancy testing. Students who test positive for pregnancy or infection can receive counseling and are referred for treatm
INDIA: Bill Gates Wins Indira Gandhi Prize in India: Associated Press (07.25.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Ashok Sharma; On Saturday, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates was awarded India s Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development. Gates was recognized for his work with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which has committed nearly $1 billion for health and development projects in India, a government statement said. Mo
CALIFORNIA: Syphilis Cases on the Rise in Sacramento County; Officials Worried by the Number of Pregnant Women with the Disease: Sacramento Bee (07.22.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Marissa Lang; Sacramento County is coping with a spike in the number of reported cases of syphilis, particularly among pregnant women. In 2008, the county reported 91 cases of syphilis, up from 63 in 2007 and 30 in 2006. In the early 1990s, the county reported no new cases of syphilis, says Dr. Glennah Trochet, public health officer
CALIFORNIA: HIV/AIDS Still a Scourge for African Americans: Contra Costa Times (07.25.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Angela Hill, Oakland Tribune; Bay area activists hope a community seminar held Saturday in San Leandro will refocus attention on the impact of HIV/AIDS among black women. Infection from HIV is the leading cause of death among black women between the ages of 25-34, according to CDC. The one-day seminar, The Real Conversation: Sistahs Getting Real Ab
ILLINOIS: 17 Percent of Gay Men Here HIV-Positive, New Stats Confirm: Chicago Sun-Times (07.25.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Monifa Thomas; A new Chicago Public Health Department study found that 17.4 percent of city men who have sex with men (MSM) tested for HIV were infected, and 50 percent were unaware of their infection at the start of the survey. The study was conducted last year and included data from 524 MSM in randomly selected venues in the Nation
UNITED STATES: Correlates of Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among At-Risk Adolescents and Young Adults: American Journal of Public Health (06..09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Celia M. Lescano, PhD; Christopher D. Houck, PhD; Larry K. Brown, MD; Glenn Doherty, BA; Ralph J. DiClemente, PhD; M. Isabel Fernandez, PhD; David Pugatch, MD; William E. Schlenger, PhD; Barbara J. Silver, PhD; In the current study, the researchers sought to identify factors associated with anal sex among adolescents and young adults. Among members of this population reporting recent unprotected sex, the authors examined demographic, behavioral, relationship context, attitudinal, substance use and mental health correlates of
UNITED STATES: Phone Gadget to Diagnose Disease: BBC (07.22.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; US researchers report that they have built a mobile phone- mounted light microscope with a resolution of just over one micron that can be used to identify TB in samples. The snap- on CellScope fluorescence microscope could be particularly useful in the developing world, where mobile phone access and coverage are common
UNITED STATES: House Bill Lifts Ban on Needle Exchanges: Washington Post (07.25.09) - Monday, July 27, 2009; Darryl Fears; On Friday, the US House passed by 264 to 153 a measure that would allow federal funding of needle-exchange programs (NEPs), easing the way for the District of Columbia and other cities to fight local epidemics among intravenous drug users. This is the first time in over 20 years that we are on the verge of recognition
PHILIPPINES: UNDP to Help Philippines Fight Rise of AIDS Threat: Agence France Presse (07.21.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; The UN Development Program and the Philippine government are launching a three-year anti-AIDS project. All the main ingredients for an epidemic are present in the country, UNDP said Tuesday. First, HIV transmission through unprotected sex accounts for 89 percent of reported cases. Among those most at risk - men who hav
ILLINOIS: More than 4,500 Get Shots in Hepatitis A Outbreak: Associated Press (07.23.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; More than 4,500 people have received preventive hepatitis A vaccines that were offered free to people who ate at a McDonald s restaurant in Milan, Ill., between July 6-10 and July 13-14. Two employees at the restaurant were among 22 people who ultimately got sick. More than 4,400 people were vaccinated at a clinic Mond
COLORADO: Prosecutors Tie Colorado Tech to 19 Hepatitis Cases: Associated Press (07.24.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; P. Solomon Banda; On Thursday, a grand jury in Colorado indicted a surgical technician with hepatitis C for allegedly injecting herself with painkillers intended for patients, then refilling the syringes with saline, putting patients at risk for infection. Federal prosecutors maintain that at least 19 patients at Denver s Rose Medical C
SOUTH AFRICA: Glaxo AIDS Drug Has 'Spectacular' Results in Study: Bloomberg News (07.21.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; Simeon Bennett; Data from the first human trial of GlaxoSmithKline Plc s experimental AIDS drug S/GSK1349572 showed it quickly reduced HIV to undetectable levels in 70 percent of patients. Trial results were presented Tuesday at the 5th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Cape Town,
UNITED STATES: Risk Factors Driving the Emergence of a Generalized Heterosexual HIV Epidemic in Washington, District of Columbia, Networks at Risk: AIDS Vol. 23; No. 10: P. 1277-1284 (06.19.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; Manya Magnus; Irene Kuo; Katharine Shelly; Anthony Rawls; James Peterson; Luz Montanez; Tiffany West-Ojo; Shannon Hader; Flora Hamilton; Alan E. Greenberg; Noting that Washington, D.C., has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the United States , with heterosexual transmission a leading mode of acquisition and African-American women disproportionately affected, the study authors sought to examine risk factors driving the local epidemic using National HIV Behavioral Surveillance d
INDIA: Gates Foundation Increases Funding, Defends AIDS Initiative in India: Seattle Times (07.23.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; Kristi Heim; Bill Gates on Thursday announced an $80 million grant to Avahan, an HIV prevention initiative in India his foundation launched in 2003. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has already invested $258 million in Avahan, which means call to action in Sanskrit. The program includes more than 100 nonprofits in six Indian
AFRICA: Where to Find a Million New Nurses?: Inter Press Service (07.21.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; Kristin Palitza; At the 5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Cape Town, South Africa , experts discussed ways to improve health systems and boost health care personnel in Africa. There are serious deficiencies in our health systems and without addressing the weaknesses, we can
ZIMBABWE: Researchers: Zimbabwe's Crisis Driving HIV Decline: Associated Press (07.24.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; Michelle Faul; The incidence of HIV has taken a sharp drop in Zimbabwe , a development that is being explained by everything from a battered economy to safer sex practices, experts said at the 5th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Cape Town, South Af
ALABAMA: Once for HIV Only, Alabama Re-Entry Program Expands: Associated Press (07.22.09) - Friday, July 24, 2009; Desiree Hunter; Since 2000, the Alabama Prison Initiative has offered state inmates with HIV/AIDS specialized services to assist with their return to the general population. In the voluntary program, inmates enroll in classes up to three months before leaving prison and receive help obtaining licenses and other important documents, as
GEORGIA: Emory to Take Part in New HIV Clinical Trials: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (07.16.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; Craig Schneider; To support its participation in the National Institutes of Health s HIV Prevention Trials Network, Emory University will receive a $4.8 million grant over three years. The Emory HIV Clinical Trials Unit will take part in two studies. One will estimate the overall HIV incidence rate among at-risk US women and determine
ILLINOIS: National LGBTI Health Summit Here Aug. 14-18: Windy City Times (Chicago) (07.08.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; The Chicago Hilton and Towers will be the site of the 2009 National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex Health Summit Aug. 14-18. Organizers have announced that the event, in collaboration with the Bisexual Health Summit, will offer nearly 100 workshop, plenary, and town hall sessions. Topics will include HIV
ILLINOIS: HUD Puts $5 Million Toward Illinois Families Living with AIDS: Associated Press (07.23.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; Shaun Donovan, secretary of the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, on Wednesday announced that HUD is awarding more than $5 million in grants to assist low-income families living with HIV/AIDS in Illinois. Chicago s Department of Public Health will received some $1.4 million to continue funding 37 rental u
LOUISIANA: Sex Education in New Orleans Schools: Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (07.21.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; David Hammer; In response to recent data showing HIV/AIDS cases growing in New Orleans, two City Council members on Monday called for more extensive sex education in city public schools. Council members Stacy Head and Cynthia Willard-Lewis brought the topic for discussion after hearing testimony from a faith-based HIV/AIDS outreach
SOUTH AFRICA: Treating HIV Earlier Could Save 76,000 Lives in South Africa: Bloomberg News (07.20.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; Simeon Bennett; A new study finds that starting treatment when CD4 cells drop below 350 per cubic millimeter of blood could save 76,000 lives in South Africa alone over the next five years. Mathematical modeling also showed that starting South African patients on treatment sooner could prevent around 66,000 cases of HIV-related diseas
TANZANIA: Wild Chimpanzees Get AIDS-Like Illness: Nature News (07.22.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; Erika Check Hayden; US researchers have shown for the first time that chimpanzees can fall ill and die from infection by the HIV-like simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), overturning a decade-old consensus that chimps were immune to it. The discovery suggests that scientists will not find the solution to HIV immunity in the chimp genome.
ZIMBABWE: AIDS Prevention Trial in Zimbabwe Targets Women: Reuters (07.22.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; Wendell Roelf; The US-funded Microbicide Trials Network is about to launch an AIDS prevention trial in Zimbabwe that will evaluate a microbicide and oral tablets in a single study. The goal of the research is to determine whether certain antiretrovirals can be used to prevent HIV infection when given as a vaginal microbicide gel or a
UNITED STATES: FDA Warns Abbott on Magic Johnson DVD for HIV Drug: Reuters (07.22.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; Bill Berkrot; The Food and Drug Administration has asked Abbott Laboratories to immediately cease dissemination of a promotional DVD about its AIDS drug Kaletra , citing what FDA calls serious violations. In a letter, FDA said the DVD featuring HIV-positive basketball great Earvin Magic Johns
MISSISSIPPI: Mississippi Teens at Risk: Youth HIV, Pregnancy on Rise: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (07.21.09) - Thursday, July 23, 2009; Chris Joyner; A recent CDC report analyzing sexual and reproductive health measures among people ages 10-24 shows Mississippi continues to rank at or near the top in some troubling categories. The state has the highest birth rate in the nation for mothers ages 10-14, 15-17, and 20-24, and it ranks second behind Arkansas for mothers
ILLINOIS: Health Department Launches TB Web Site: News-Sun (Waukegan) (07.22.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; A new Web site launched by the Lake County Health Department aims to educate residents and the business community about TB. In addition to information about screening and the population groups most at risk of TB, the site includes resources developed by CDC. The department is also making a compact disc with the informa
WISCONSIN: Swine Flu Cases Cancel Summer Camp Session: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (07.18.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; The news that two of its counselors had tested positive for swine flu prompted a Milwaukee-based charity to cancel a session of a summer camp for children and families affected by HIV/AIDS. One Heartland s camp is located in Willow Run, Minn.; the weeklong retreat was to have started Friday. There are no known cases of
CANADA: Incidence of HIV in Alberta Babies Decreasing Thanks to Screening: CBC News (07.06.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; A program to screen pregnant women in Northern Alberta, implemented by the provincial government in late 1998, is being credited for a big drop in the number of mothers transmitting HIV to their infants. The rate of transmission dropped from more than 30 percent before the screening effort to less than 1 percent, accor
NEW JERSEY: More Rely on Free Needles: Courier-Post (Cherry Hill) (07.20.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Deborah Hirsch; Camden s needle-exchange program has grown from just five clients when it opened some 18 months ago to 976 registered users today. Every Tuesday, the NEP distributes free sterile syringes, antiseptic wipes, alcohol swabs, and other supplies from a van in Camden s industrial Waterfront South neighborhood. About 40 clien
ILLINOIS: Sex Education Takes a New Turn: Chicago Tribune (07.17.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Kristen Kridel; This fall, Chicago Public Schools and the Department of Public Health will offer students educational forums about STDs as well as a free screening and treatment program for gonorrhea and chlamydia. The pilot initiative will target juniors and seniors in up to six high schools. It s just one additional tool we think is
AFRICA: WHO May Change ARV Guidelines for Pregnant Mothers: Reuters (07.21.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Wendell Roelf; Prompted by results from a new study showing that giving mothers prolonged antiretroviral treatment during breastfeeding significantly reduces mother-to-child HIV transmission, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced it will publish new guidelines on the matter by the end of this year. The study, conducte
UGANDA: For Women, Circumcised Partner May Be Better Lover: ABC News (07.20.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Michael Smith, MedPage Today; A landmark study - presented at the 5th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Cape Town, South Africa - finds that almost 40 percent of women reported their sexual satisfaction improved after their male partner underwent circumcision. The results will likely help popular
AFRICA: UNAIDS Chief Promises African Drug Agency Soon: Voice of America News (07.21.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; Darren Taylor; The head of UNAIDS is urging African leaders to create a centralized agency to manufacture, regulate, stockpile, and distribute cheaper medicines. Michel Sidibe recently met with leaders from the African Union and New Partnership for African Development to discuss the proposal, which would include HIV and TB drugs. The
UNITED STATES: HIV Travel Ban May Be Lifted for Infected Visitors: MSNBC.com (07.17.09) - Wednesday, July 22, 2009; JoNel Aleccia; CDC has received a high volume of public feedback on the proposal to remove HIV from the list of diseases that keep non-citizens from entering the United States . The public comment period runs through Aug. 17. We re trying to end the stigma and the discriminatory practice for a disease that doesn t warrant exclusion f
INDIA: India's Top Court Refuses to Temporarily Suspend Ruling that Made Gay Sex Legal: Canadian Press (07.20.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Ashok Sharma; India s Supreme Court on Monday refused to temporarily suspend a ruling by the Delhi High Court that struck down a law making sex between consenting adults of the same gender illegal. The Supreme Court said the lower court s July 2 ruling will remain in effect while it reviews a petition to reverse it. Hearings on that
SPAIN: Some 35,000 Spaniards Could Be Infected with HIV Without Awareness: Xinhua News Agency (07.20.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; In Madrid on Monday, the Spanish government kicked off a new AIDS awareness campaign entitled Leave your doubts behind, and the general director of the Spanish public health authority warned that 35,000 Spaniards may carry HIV without knowing it. Half of the new infections are down to people who do not know they are ca
CALIFORNIA: Inland HIV/AIDS Agency May Face Funding Challenges: Press Enterprise (07.18.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Lora Hines; On Monday, the Inland Empire HIV Planning Council began a three-day summit to determine HIV/AIDS funding priorities for Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The council will have to contend with the fallout from California s ongoing fiscal crisis, including $80 million in proposed cuts to HIV/AIDS programs and elimin
MASSACHUSETTS: Fenway and the Multicultural AIDS Coalition Launch Study on Black Gay Men and HIV: Bay Windows (Boston) (07.08.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Ethan Jacobs; Fenway Health and the Multicultural AIDS Coalition are looking to recruit 330 black men who have sex with men (MSM) for a study that seeks to better understand their sexual health and determine effective HIV prevention strategies. Boston is one of six cities participating in Project Saving Ourselves ; the others are Ne
GERMANY: Boehringer's HIV Drug Has Edge over BMS' Reyataz: Reuters (07.20.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Ludwig Burger; A study of 569 patients indicates that Boehringer Ingelheim s drug Viramune suppressed HIV as well as Bristol Myers Squibb s drug Reyataz but had a more favorable effect on cardiovascular risks. The results were presented over the weekend at the 5th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment a
ZIMBABWE; UGANDA: Africa HIV City Care Questioned: BBC (07.21.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; More people with HIV//AIDS in Africa could be treated if routine laboratory testing to monitor the disease were dropped in favor of clinically driven monitoring, according to new research. More than 6 million people in Africa need AIDS treatment, but just 2.2 million receive it. The cost savings of switching to clinica
AFRICA: Container AIDS Labs Could Work Across Africa: US Company: Reuters (07.21.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Wendell Roelf; The head of global health for a US medical equipment supplier is touting a plan to convert shipping containers into HIV/AIDS diagnostic labs in resource-limited settings in Africa and elsewhere. I think it s a very exciting concept and I think it is one that can be replicated across Africa, Krista Thompson of Becton Di
INDIAN COUNTRY: Prescription Drugs 'Newest Monster' in Indian Country: Great Falls Tribune (07.10.09) - Tuesday, July 21, 2009; Eric Newhouse; Prescription drug misuse is becoming more common in Indian Country, and some health care providers are linking it to increases in hepatitis C infections. When Erma Skunkcap began working as a substance abuse counselor at Crystal Creek, a Browning, Mont., treatment center, it was all alcohol, she recently told a local f
GEORGIA: Free LGBT Health Fair Set for July 25: Southern Voice (Atlanta) (07.17.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Laura Douglas-Brown; The gay community is invited to take part in a special program of free health screenings on July 25 sponsored by the Atlanta Lesbian Health Initiative with assistance from Piedmont Hospital. Procedures offered on a drop-in basis will include HIV, body mass index, blood pressure, glucose, cholesterol and breast health s
ILLINOIS: Business Returns to Normal After Hepatitis A Outbreak: Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) (07.19.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Linda Cook; As of the end of last week, public health authorities had logged 19 confirmed cases of hepatitis A in Western Illinois, 11 of which required hospitalization. On July 13, the Rock Island County Health Department notified the McDonald s restaurant at 400 W. 1st St. that one of its employees had been diagnosed with the vi
COLORADO: More than 500 Tested and Cleared for Hepatitis C in Springs: The Gazette (Colorado Springs) (07.17.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Brian Newsome; So far, 544 people have tested negative for hepatitis C at Audubon Surgery Center in Colorado Springs, where a surgical technician with the virus is alleged to have stolen syringes filled with the painkiller Fentanyl and replaced them with used syringes filled with saline solution. The facility identified 1,200 patient
MINNESOTA: Changes Recommended After Ramsey County Workhouse's Tuberculosis Outbreak Last Year: St. Paul Pioneer Press (07.10.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Jeremy Olson; The Ramsey County Workhouse s ventilation system needs upgrades, according to a review prompted by a TB outbreak last year at the facility that involved eight active and 118 latent cases. Dr. Robert Greifinger, a contractor hired to conduct the review, also called for an overhaul of the county s response to correctiona
UNITED STATES: Accessing Social Networks with High Rates of Undiagnosed HIV Infection: The Social Networks Demonstration Project: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1093-1099 (06..09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Lisa W. Kimbrough, MS; Holly E. Fisher, PhD; Kenneth T. Jones, MSW; Wayne Johnson, MPH; Sekhar Thadiparthi, BS; Samuel Dooley, MD; The study authors evaluated the use of social networks to reach persons with undiagnosed HIV infection in ethnic minority communities and link them to medical care and HIV prevention services. In seven cities, CDC funded nine community-based groups in an effort to enlist persons with HIV to refer others from their soci
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Is Seen to Lag in HIV Fight: New York Times (07.20.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Celia W. Dugger; At a French-financed clinic in Orange Farm, South Africa , thousands of young men are flocking to be circumcised. The surgical procedure can reduce the chance of female-to-male HIV transmission by up to 60 percent, and two years ago the World Health Organization recommended it especially for countries facing genera
SOUTHERN AFRICA: AIDS Drugs Shortage Threatens Africa: Associated Press (07.18.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Michelle Faul; Progress in the fight against AIDS could be reversed in six African countries due to chronic shortages of AIDS drugs, Doctors Without Borders warned Saturday in Cape Town at the opening of the 5th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention. DWB s report focused on
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Tests AIDS Vaccine: Associated Press (07.20.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Michelle Faul; The first AIDS vaccine created by a developing nation will undergo safety trials in 36 healthy South African volunteers this month, Anthony Mbewu, president of the country s Medical Research Council, announced Sunday on the sidelines of an international AIDS conference in Cape Town. Despite nearly a decade of political
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Amendment on Needle-Exchange Program Worries AIDS Activists: Washington Post (07.16.09) - Monday, July 20, 2009; Darryl Fears; Two years after Congress lifted a ban on the use of local government funds to support syringe exchange in the District, a newly proposed measure seeks to limit that support. Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) submitted an amendment to the District s federal appropriation for 2010 that would prohibit the use of federal funds to
TEXAS: Official: State to Cover City STD Tracking: Avalanche-Journal (Lubbock) (07.11.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; Sarah Nightingale; A Department of State Health Services official confirmed on July 10 that Texas will pay to continue the work of two STD prevention specialists whose jobs had been targeted for elimination by Lubbock city staff. While the two positions themselves may still be cut, the work of the STD investigators will be picked up by f
NEVADA: Health Summit Scheduled: Associated Press (07.14.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; New requirements for reporting and responding to health care- associated infections will be the topic of a July 22-23 summit in Las Vegas sponsored by the state Health Division. The topic has received renewed attention since last year, when more than 40,000 patients of two Las Vegas ambulatory surgical centers were pot
UNITED STATES: Feds: HIV Doesn't Block Barber, Masseuse Licenses: Associated Press (07.16.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; In guidance issued Thursday, the Justice Department advised state authorities that aspiring barbers, masseuses or home health care aides cannot be denied professional licenses or admission to occupational training schools on the basis of having HIV/AIDS. People with HIV or AIDS should not be denied access to their chos
MISSOURI: Petition Urges CVS to Unlock Condoms in Stores Nationwide: Kansas City Star (07.13.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; Matt Erickson; Calvary Community Outreach Network (CCON), a nonprofit arm of Calvary Temple Baptist Church in Kansas City, has joined more than 200 groups in signing a national petition asking CVS Caremark Corp. to unlock condoms in all CVS pharmacies. According to petition sponsor Change to Win, a labor group representing about 8,00
UGANDA: HIV: Male Circumcision Does Not Shield Women: Agence France Presse (07.16.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; While several trials in recent years have found foreskin removal reduces men s risk of HIV infection by up to 65 percent, a new study shows the procedure has no protective benefit for their female partners. Researchers led by Maria Wawer of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health enrolled 922 uncircumcised, HIV
RHODE ISLAND; CONNECTICUT: Planned Parenthood to Merge Rhode Island, Connecticut: Providence Journal-Bulletin (07.15.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; Paul Davis; Later this summer, Planned Parenthood organizations in Rhode Island and Connecticut will merge to become Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. The boards of the two organizations, which have a combined budget of nearly $25 million, approved the merger as a way to cut costs and consolidate services. Rhode Island r
CALIFORNIA: County Sued over Porn Industry STDs: Los Angeles Times (07.17.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; Kimi Yoshino; The AIDS Healthcare Foundation on Thursday asked a court to order the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to enforce rules requiring the use of condoms during the production of adult movies, or to take other reasonable steps to prevent STD transmission in the industry. AHF s petition to the Los Angeles Count
UNITED STATES: Gilead, Johnson & Johnson to Develop Once-Daily HIV Pill: Reuters (07.16.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; Deena Beasley; A new once-daily pill to treat HIV will be developed under a deal announced Thursday by Gilead Sciences and Johnson & Johnson . The new antiretroviral would contain J&J s experimental non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, TMC278, and Gilead s T
UNITED STATES: US Teens Get Sex Education, but Not From Parents: Reuters (07.16.09) - Friday, July 17, 2009; A new CDC report on data from numerous studies shows the sexual and reproductive health of young people ages 10-24 remains a key public health concern. Among the report s findings: *Among girls ages 15-17, 30 percent reported they had engaged in sex, rising to 70.6 percent for girls ages 18-19. *For boys, 31.6 percent
LOUISIANA: Thursday's Calendar: Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (07.16.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; More than 30 restaurants in New Orleans are donating a quarter of their proceeds today to benefit the NO/AIDS Task Force. Those who make an additional donation above that will be entered into a drawing for a special prize. For more information about Dining Out For Life and participating restaurants, visit www.noaidstas
NORTH CAROLINA: Tests Show TB Outbreak Contained at Brunswick Jail: Star-News (Wilmington) (07.14.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Vicky Eckenrode; Follow-up chest X-rays taken of 35 inmates and staff at the Brunswick County jail show no signs of active TB, county health officials said Tuesday. Last week, the county tested all inmates and workers at the jail after a former inmate and his cellmate tested positive for TB. Both are now being treated for active diseas
NEW YORK; TEXAS: New York, Texas Fear Hepatitis C Cases from Same Tech: Denver Post (07.15.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Greg Griffin; Health officials are investigating whether a surgical technician in Colorado accused of a drug-theft scheme that potentially exposed patients to hepatitis C may also have exposed patients in facilities in New York and Texas. The technician, who has the virus, is accused in federal court of injecting herself with painki
MASSACHUSETTS: HPV Vaccine Subsidy to End July 31: Harvard Crimson (07.13.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Arianna Markel; A two-year initiative that reduced the cost of the human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil from $154 to $25 per shot for Harvard students will end July 31. A coalition of more than 15 Harvard student groups pushed for a subsidy of the then-newly available vaccine in early 2007. That summer, University Health Services (UH
NEW YORK: NYC Religious Leaders Pledge to Fight HIV/AIDS: Edge News (Boston) (07.15.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Scott Stiffler; More than 50 faith-based entities and AIDS service organizations are partnering on Interfaith for HIV/AIDS: A Call to Take Action in 2009, a campaign to support HIV prevention and testing efforts across the five boroughs of New York City. Clergy, elected officials, and community representatives came together on the ste
CALIFORNIA: Open Door Clinics Drop Needle Exchange: Times Standard (Eureka) (07.13.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Thadeus Greenson; The Open Door Community Health Centers clinics in Arcata and Eureka this month ceased administering the needle-exchange program they have run for nearly a decade. Humboldt County is exploring its options for another way to administer the NEP, but that may prove difficult without a reliable funding stream, said Barbara
UNITED STATES; MEXICO: Men from US, Mexico Report 'Risky' Sex with Tijuana Prostitutes, Study Finds: Los Angeles Times (07.11.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Tony Perry; A new binational study finds a large proportion of men who frequent female sex workers in Tijuana do not use condoms and have a history of drug and alcohol abuse - behaviors that could spread HIV and other STDs on both sides of the border. Researchers from Mexico and the University of California-San Diego (UCSD) recrui
AUSTRALIA: Risky Sex and Drugs Take Toll Inside Prisons: Sydney Morning Herald (07.14.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Joel Gibson; A new survey of inmates offers fresh insight into the demographics and risk behaviors of detainees in New South Wales prisons. Among key findings: *The average prisoner was male, age 35, and an English speaker. *Indigenous people were disproportionately represented among inmates. *Only one of 996 inmates surveyed was H
DELAWARE: Talking Sex with Teens: News Journal (Wilmington) (07.14.09) - Thursday, July 16, 2009; Kelly Bothum; Several programs are available to help mitigate the impact of early sexual activity in Delaware, a state whose rate of teenage sexual involvement is higher than the US average. According to the 2007 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 59.3 percent of Delaware high school students have had intercourse, compared to the national
GLOBAL: Post Offices Launch HIV Education Program: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (07.07.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; UNAIDS will partner with 16,000 post offices in seven countries in a new HIV education and prevention effort. The campaign - with assistance from other UN agencies, the Universal Postal Union, the International Labor Organization and other trade unions - will take place in Brazil ,
COLORADO: Colorado Hepatitis Update Will Be Weekly: Denver Post (07.14.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment says it will report new cases of hepatitis C connected to the Rose Medical Center only once weekly, on Fridays. The weekly updates are due to staffing issues and to the fact the situation poses no risk of the disease spreading in the community, said department sp
UNITED STATES: Dr. Benjamin's AIDS Experience: Advocate (07.14.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Michelle Garcia; The director of government affairs for AIDS Project Los Angeles expects the nomination of Dr. Regina Benjamin as US surgeon general will bring a new ally in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Benjamin acknowledged in her nomination acceptance speech her familiarity with the disease, having lost her brother to it. Such a perso
ALABAMA: Montgomery County's HIV Rate Leads State: Montgomery Advertiser (07.11.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Kym Klass; Alabama had 839 HIV/AIDS diagnoses in 2008, with Montgomery County reporting 122 - the highest number in the state per capita. And though African Americans represent just 26 percent of state residents, they accounted for 70 percent of diagnoses in 2008 and 64 percent of cumulative cases, according to the state HIV/AIDS
UNITED STATES: Parkinson's Drugs Show Promise in Resistant TB: Reuters (07.02.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Julie Steenhuysen; Computer modeling and lab experiments suggest that a drug for Parkinson s disease could be used to treat multidrug- and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis. Sarah Kinnings, a graduate student at the University of California-San Diego, and colleagues looked for established drugs that might be of use in treating drug
CANADA: Aboriginal HIV/AIDS Task Force Setting Up as a Society: Prince George Citizen (07.08.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Bernice Trick; A task force to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic among British Columbia s aboriginal people is working to become an official entity under the province s Societies Act. The move would give the group control of its own funding, which is now administered by Carrier Sekani Family Services, and make it eligible for other types
UNITED KINGDOM; SOUTH AFRICA: GlaxoSmithKline Agrees to Royalty-Free Licensing Deal for HIV Drug: The Guardian (London) (07.14.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Julia Kollewe; GlaxoSmithKline has announced it will allow cheaper, generic copies of its AIDS drug abacavir ( Ziagen ) to be made royalty- free by the South African drug firm Aspen Pharmacare. GSK CEO Andrew Witty made the announcement on a visit to
UNITED KINGDOM: UK Health Booklet's Message: Teen Sex Can Be Fun: Associated Press (07.15.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Gregory Katz; A new pamphlet written for parents, teachers, and youth workers seeks to change the tone of sex education by discussing Pleasure - the publication s title - instead of just biology and STDs. So far, the booklet is generating mixed reactions. Produced by the Center for HIV & Sexual Health (CHSH) of the National Heal
WISCONSIN: Health Program Expands to Men; State to Offer Family Planning Services, Contraceptive Coverage: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (07.10.09) - Wednesday, July 15, 2009; Stacy Forster; Under a two-year budget signed recently by Gov. Jim Doyle, low-income men will be offered family planning services, pharmacies will be required to have someone on site available to dispense prescribed birth control drugs and devices, and commercial health insurance plans and self-insured government health plans must in
CALIFORNIA: San Francisco AIDS Walk Retools Its Message: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (07.09.09) - Tuesday, July 14, 2009; Cynthia Laird; With billboard tag lines like Tough times won t break our stride, this year s AIDS Walk San Francisco is acknowledging the economic challenges facing AIDS service organizations and the general public. We recognize this is a difficult year, said Debra Holtz, spokesperson for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, one of abo
NEW YORK: 'Mandela Day' a Hoped-For Tradition: Washington Times (07.12.09) - Tuesday, July 14, 2009; New York City will mark the 91st birthday of former South African President Nelson Mandela with an all-star Radio City Music Hall concert on July 18. Artists scheduled to appear include Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Josh Groban, Gloria Gaynor, Jesse McCartney, Susan Sarandon, Whoopi Goldberg, Queen Latifah, Matt Damo
FLORIDA: Breaking Barriers: Language, Religion Hinder Frank Talk About AIDS: The Ledger (Lakeland, Florida) (06.26.09) - Tuesday, July 14, 2009; Robin Williams Adams; HIV prevention outreach workers targeting Latinos in Polk County face a number of challenges. Fear of deportation is a big problem, said Catalina Mondragon, a Hispanic HIV outreach worker with the Polk County Health Department. Many Latino residents are poor and lack transportation to centralized HIV testing sites.
UNITED STATES: Characteristics and Behaviors Associated with HIV Infection Among Inmates in the North Carolina Prison System: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 99; No. 6: P. 1123-1130 (06.09.09) - Tuesday, July 14, 2009; David L. Rosen, PhD; Victor J. Schoenbach, PhD; David A. Wohl, MD; Becky L. White, MD; Paul W. Stewart, PhD; Carol E. Golin, MD; The study authors identified factors associated with testing HIV-positive in a prison system performing voluntary HIV testing on inmates and estimated the number of undetected HIV cases to evaluate the efficacy of risk-factor-based HIV testing. Logistic regression was employed to estimate associations between HIV seros
UNITED STATES: Condoms Offer Partial Protection Against Herpes: Reuters (07.13.09) - Tuesday, July 14, 2009; Anne Harding; Consistent condom use is an important tool in preventing genital herpes , according to Dr. Emily T. Martin of Children s Hospital Research Institute and the University of Washington- Seattle. Though condoms effectiveness in stopping the spread of HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and others STDs is well-established, Martin an
UGANDA: Burden of HIV Disclosure Falls on Uganda's Women: Toronto Star (07.06.09) - Tuesday, July 14, 2009; Craig Kielburger; Marc Kielburger; Uganda s Parliament is debating a bill that would give a person six weeks after testing positive