2010

INDIANA: Central Indiana Group Plans History Project on Ryan White: Associated Press (12.28.10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Kokomo Tribune; The Howard County Historical Society has received a $2,320 grant to conduct an oral history project on the impact of the decision to bar Ryan White from a local school during the AIDS scare of the 1980s. AIDS misperceptions were common when 13- year-old White, a hemophiliac who contracted HIV through a blood transfusio
UNITED STATES: Vertex Ends Part of Hepatitis Drug Test: Boston Globe (12.22.10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Vertex Pharmaceuticals is discontinuing a clinical study of its hepatitis C drug telaprevir in combination with VX-222, another experimental therapy developed by the company. Vertex said it will continue Phase II testing of telaprevir and VX- 222 in groups of patients who will receive these with one or two other drugs
PENNSYLVANIA: Religious Differences in HIV/AIDS Discussion: Associated Press (12.11.10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Ayana Jones; An effort to promote HIV prevention in Philadelphia s churches and mosques is underscoring how different cultures in the city respond to the epidemic. The Interfaith Health Action Alliance of Philadelphia (IHAAP) was launched in November to help reduce health disparities in the city, particularly those involving HIV/AI
UNITED STATES: Disability and Pap Smear Receipt Among US Women, 2000 and 2005: Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health Vol. 42; No. 4: doi:10.1363/4225810 (12..10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Julia A. Rivera Drew; Susan E. Short; Cervical cancer is one of the most common female reproductive cancers, the authors noted, and sexually experienced women are at risk. Among US women ages 18 to 64, nearly 20 percent have a disability. Although disability is associated with health care access, the relationship between disability and Pap smear testing re
KENYA: AIDS: The Lazarus Effect: Voice of America News (12.09.10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Joe DeCapua; In rural western Kenya , the effects of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy can be seen in improving household economics, researchers say. The Lazarus effect is I think an effect that s been coined by medical professionals to describe this sort of pulling individuals from the jaws of death, an experience associated with givin
UNITED KINGDOM: Thatcher Stalwart to Head New AIDS Inquiry: The Guardian (London) (12.30.10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Sarah Boseley; A former health secretary during the Thatcher era, Norman Fowler, is leading an ad hoc House of Lords investigation into UK HIV/AIDS efforts. A December report from the Health Protection Agency found that a quarter of people with HIV do not realize they are infected. In 2009, 6,630 people were newly diagnosed in the UK
UNITED STATES: Few Adults Get Needed Shots: Los Angeles Times (12.13.10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Michelle Andrews; In the United States , about 90 percent of kids receive the vaccines they need, due to federal programs and other subsidy efforts. However, things change at adulthood. Though increasing in recent years, the adult vaccination rate remains low, new CDC data show. The new health care law should correct that, but gaps exis
WISCONSIN: Income Limits Raised for Free Birth Control: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (12.24.10) - Thursday, December 30, 2010; Patrick Marley; Wisconsin has become the first state in the country to take advantage of a provision in federal health reform legislation to expand sexual health services to poor residents. The program provides reproductive health care and STD screenings. State officials received approval on Dec. 23 to raise income eligibility for the
WASHINGTON: Mount Baker Parent Meeting Set on HIV/AIDS Prevention Curriculum: Bellingham Herald (12.28.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Kira Cox; The Mount Baker School District will hold an annual meeting for parents and guardians seeking information about its HIV/AIDS prevention curriculum. The Jan. 6 meeting will be held 6-7 p.m. at the District Office Board Room, 4356 Deming Road, Deming. By state law, a parent or guardian must attend such an informational s
NEW YORK: HIV/AIDS Center Closed After a Fire Set to Reopen: Albany Times Union (12.29.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Paul Nelson; On Monday, the Schenectady Damien Center will reopen at its 615 Nott St. address. The drop-in center offers support services daily to about 20 Capital Region individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS. An electrical fire in its attic last month shut down Nott Street operations, which were scaled back and moved durin
WEST VIRGINIA: Health Department Hosts Hepatitis A Clinic: Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) (12.29.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; The Cabell-Huntington Health Department on Tuesday held a hepatitis A information and vaccine session at Chestnut Grove Fellowship Hall on Barkers Ridge Road. The department recorded 11 hepatitis A cases this month in an outbreak largely confined to Milton. Earlier in December, health officials vaccinated more than 100
MASSACHUSETTS: Center Nurtures Those Living with HIV: Boston Globe (12.27.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Roy Greene; Tucked into a corner of the posh Back Bay neighborhood is the Boston Living Center, a walk-in support organization for people living with HIV. Though the surrounding area is high- rent, and we re a little low rent, the neighborhood embraces us, said BLC s volunteer coordinator, Lisa Brown. BLC opened in 1989. It curren
UNITED STATES: Prevalence and Correlates of Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among Clients Attending Public Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinics in Los Angeles County: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 6: P. 369-376 (06..10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Marjan Javanbakht; Sarah Guerry; Pamina M. Gorbach; Ali Stirland; Michael Chien; Peter Anton; Peter R. Kerndt; Recent heterosexual anal intercourse (AI) was reported by a non-trivial proportion of clients seen at public STD clinics in this study, which was set in Los Angeles County, Calif. To identify demographic and behavioral correlates of heterosexual AI and its associations with STDs among the clients, the researchers condu
UNITED STATES: Better HIV Screening Worthwhile in US, Study Finds: Reuters (12.20.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Maggie Fox; Americans could avoid 15 percent to 20 percent of projected new HIV infections over the next 20 years by expanded screening and treatment for those found to be infected, a new study suggests. Scientists from Yale University and Stanford University predicted how various screening efforts could affect the spread of HIV i
CUBA: Drag Queens and Volunteers Promote Safe Sex: Inter Press Service (12.02.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Dalia Acosta; The Canto a la Vida (Song to Life) gala at the Fausto Theater in Havana was one of several local events marking World AIDS Day recently. The event, which featured the drag queen Margot Parapar, was organized by Cuba s National Center for Sex Education (CENESEX) and other cultural and health organizations. CENESEX and t
KENYA: New Program to Text Prenatal HIV Moms for AIDS Care: Inter Press Service (12.22.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Mary Itumbi; Pregnant HIV-positive women in Kenya are helping test whether text messages can help boost treatment adherence and prevent HIV transmission to their newborns. Since July, the Kenya AIDS Control Project has been using cell phones to stay in touch with more than 90 HIV-positive pregnant women randomly selected from among
UNITED STATES: Study Finds Setbacks in Women's Health: New York Times (12.09.10) - Wednesday, December 29, 2010; Roni Caryn Rabin; A new health report card for women gives the United States an overall grade of Unsatisfactory, finding more women are obese, diabetic, hypertensive, and testing positive for chlamydia compared to previous national surveys. The National Women s Law Center and Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) issued the report
CALIFORNIA: Donors Give to Desert AIDS Project Clients: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (12.24.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Some 2,300 of Desert AIDS Project s neediest clients received a little holiday cheer courtesy of several area donors. 100 WOMEN, a group that assists women and children affected by or at risk for HIV/AIDS, provided 60 DAP families with $50 Stater Brothers gift cards for groceries. Eduardo Figueroa and his Daddy Bear Fu
KENTUCKY: Henderson HIV/AIDS Clinic Misses Out on Funds: Associated Press (12.28.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Matthew 25, an HIV/AIDS clinic serving western Kentucky, will not receive a CDC grant that was approved for this year. Funds are not available for the $240,000 grant for the Henderson- based clinic s prevention program. Matthew 25 Community Services Director Sally Welch said the clinic secured a $110,000 state grant, a
UNITED STATES: AIDS Treatment Group Says Drug Charges High: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (12.23.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation has filed suit against Johnson & Johnson , accusing the world s largest health products company of failing to provide federally mandated discounts for drugs used by the non-profit to treat people with HIV. According to AHF, J&J s Cento
TEXAS: Dallas Teen Has Lived to Tell About Life with HIV: Dallas Morning News (12.20.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Sherry Jacobson; A 14-year-old girl in suburban Dallas is poised to tell the world something many people would keep quiet, that she has been living with HIV since birth. Brianna Lamar is in contention to represent Texas in a program sponsored by the Children s Miracle Network. In June, 50 children from around the country will tell Cong
ILLINOIS: Chicago AIDS Research Center Pools Resources: Chicago Tribune (12.26.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Christopher Nelson; The Chicago Developmental Center for AIDS Research (D-CFAR) is an HIV/AIDS scientific and clinical research consortium that launched just over a year ago. The cross-disciplinary D-CFAR team involves Rush University Medical Center, University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC), and the Cook County Health and Hospitals System.
PENNSYLVANIA: Health Department Offers TB Testing to Chester Upland School: Philippine Daily Inquirer (12.24.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Mari A. Schaefer; State health workers recently offered TB testing at a Delaware County school after a student there reported being exposed to the disease off campus. Chester Upland district officials had earlier sent notices about the precautionary testing to the parents of 293 students at Science and Discovery High School. The distric
UNITED STATES: Daily Participation in Sports and Students' Sexual Activity: Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health Vol. 42; No. 4: doi:10.1363/4224410 (12..10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Melissa A. Habel; Patricia J. Dittus; Christine J. De Rosa; Emily Q. Chung; Peter R. Kerndt; The current study warns of the potential for heightened risk of STDs and pregnancy among youths who participate daily in sports activities. Previous studies suggest that student athletes may be less likely than non-athletes to engage in sexual behavior, the authors noted, though they added that little research has exp
LIBERIA; DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Google Awards $4 Million to San Rafael HIV Prevention Non-Profit: Contra Costa Times (12.19.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Marin Independent Journal; A California non-profit is able to expand its HIV prevention efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Liberia , courtesy of a $4 million holiday grant from Google. San Rafael-based Global Strategies for HIV Prevention focuses on reducing vertical transmission of HIV, providing pediatric HIV care, and caring for
OHIO: CDC Tries to Make HIV Testing Routine: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (12.21.10) - Tuesday, December 28, 2010; Angela Townsend; Under a law that took effect in October, health care providers in Ohio no longer have to obtain a patient s separate, informed consent before administering an HIV test. Although such consent is no longer required, providers still must inform patients of their right to anonymous testing. At Cleveland s MetroHealth Medic
ILLINOIS: Elton John AIDS Foundation Awards Test Positive Aware Network $75,000: Windy City Times (Chicago) (12.22.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; The Elton John AIDS Foundation has awarded $75,000 to the Test Positive Aware Network for its Learning Immune Function Enhancement (LIFE) program. LIFE provides participants with knowledge, motivation, skills, and support to establish and maintain healthy routines. Since its launch in 1991, LIFE has been implemented in
MASSACHUSETTS: Worcester Teacher Tests Positive for Tuberculosis: Associated Press (12.23.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; The news that a teacher at Quinsigamond Elementary School has a contagious form of TB has prompted plans to test about 100 students and staff for the disease. The teacher worked for several weeks after an X-ray positively identified the disease, school officials said. The teacher should have been removed from the class
NORTH CAROLINA: 'Lonely Ride Before I Got with RAIN': Charlotte Observer (12.22.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; Meghan Cooke; Since its founding in 1992, the Regional AIDS Interfaith Network (RAIN) has helped more than 800 people access HIV/AIDS services like medical case management, awareness and education programs, support groups, and social events. RAIN serves roughly 200 clients in the Mecklenburg County area, which the non-profit says ha
ILLINOIS: Project PrEPare, AIDS Foundation of Chicago Hold HIV Drug Forum: Windy City Times (Chicago) (12.22.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; Tully Satre; The AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and Project PrEPare recently hosted a community forum to discuss next steps after a study showed an HIV drug could prevent infection in healthy gay men. AFC Director of Advocacy Jim Pickett and Keith Green, director for Project PrEPare, a Chicago-based component of the international
UNITED STATES: Internet Use, Social Networking, and HIV/AIDS Risk for Homeless Adolescents: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 47; No. 6: P. 610-613 (12..10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; Eric Rice, PhD; William Monro, MSW; Anamika Barman-Adhikari, MA, MSW; Sean D. Young, PhD; The study authors investigated the association between sexual health and Internet use, including social media sites like Facebook and MySpace, among a sample of homeless youths at high risk of contracting HIV. A survey of Internet use among 201 homeless adolescents was conducted in 2009, with multivariate logistic regr
CANADA: Needle-Exchange Program Seeing Growth in Guelph and Wellington: Guelph Mercury (12.16.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; Vik Kirsch; The needle-exchange program of the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health unit distributed almost 28,900 sterile syringes in the first half of the year. Officials expect the NEP will have provided 57,000-58,000 syringes by the end of the year, up from the 50,000 it distributed last year. The NEP s uptake of more than
CANADA: Plan to Attack Syphilis Outbreak Must Be Aggressive: Edmonton Journal (12.22.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; Jodie Sinnema; Alberta needs to take concerted immediate and long-term actions to fight a syphilis outbreak that has infected 26 babies since 2000, according to a provincial Health and Wellness report. In 2009, the province recorded 267 syphilis cases, compared with 77 cases in 2004 and just two cases in 1999. Last year, the province
FLORIDA: AIDS Healthcare Foundation, AIDS Advocates Rally in Miami on ADAP: South Florida Gay News (Wilton Manors, Fla.) (12.21.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) hosted a town hall meeting and public forum on Dec. 20 in Miami to call attention to the 2,491 HIV/AIDS patients on the waiting list for Florida s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. This is a national crisis, but Florida has quickly become the state in the most dire need, said AHF Presid
UNITED STATES: Vaccine Approved for Anal Cancer Prevention: Los Angeles Times (12.22.10) - Thursday, December 23, 2010; Melissa Healy; The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved the vaccine Gardasil for the prevention of anal cancer and associated precancerous lesions caused by human papillomavirus types 6, 11, 16, and 18 in people ages nine through 26. Though anal cancer is rare in the general population, its incidence is increasing,
PENNSYLVANIA: Chester Upland Officials Cautious Amid TB Scare: Delaware County Daily Times (12.22.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; John Kopp; In TB testing at Science and Discovery High School, which was undertaken after one student was exposed to a person with an active infection, 20 students tested positive for the latent disease. It just means at some point in their lifetime, they were exposed to tuberculosis, said Holli Senior, press secretary for the Pe
UNITED STATES: Cumberland Says FDA Rejects Liver Drug's New Indication: Reuters (12.22.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Rajarshi Basu; The US Food and Drug Administration has declined to approve Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc. s application for a new use of its liver drug Acetadote, the company said. The medication already is approved to treat liver failure caused by an overdose of the painkiller acetaminophen. In March, the Nashville, Tenn.-based com
MISSOURI: Effort Supports HIV/AIDS Patients While Promoting Safe Sex: St. Louis American (12.16.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Sandra Jordan; The St. Louis Effort for AIDS (EFA) provides free, confidential HIV testing and treatment referral to residents in the seven-county metropolitan area. Data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services show the region reported 258 new HIV cases in 2009. Among male patients last year, black men comprised ne
WEST VIRGINIA: More than 100 Vaccinated for Hepatitis A: Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) (12.21.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Bryan Chambers; Beth Hendricks; Reacting to the diagnosis of five hepatitis A cases in eastern Cabell County, health workers vaccinated 138 potentially exposed persons Monday in a clinic at Milton Elementary School. Between 150 and 200 people exposed to one of the five patients in the preceding two weeks were contacted by the Cabell- Huntington Healt
UNITED STATES: Hombres Sanos: Evaluation of a Social Marketing Campaign for Heterosexually Identified Latino Men Who Have Sex with Men and Women: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 12: P. 2532- 2540 (12..10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Ana P. Martinez-Donate, PhD; Jennifer A. Zellner, PhD; Fernando Sanudo, MPH; Araceli Fernandez-Cerdeno, MS; Melbourne F. Hovell, PhD, MPH; Carol L. Sipan, MPH; Moshe Engelberg, PhD; Hector Carrillo, DrPH; In the current study, the authors evaluated the effectiveness of Hombres Sanos [ Healthy Men ], a social marketing campaign to increase condom use and HIV testing among heterosexually identified Latino men, especially among heterosexually identified Latino men who have sex with men and women (MSMW). Hombres Sanos was
VATICAN CITY: Vatican Clarifies Pope's Condom Comments: Associated Press (12.21.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Nicole Winfield; The Vatican on Tuesday issued a clarification of Pope Benedict XVI s recent comments about the role of condoms in preventing HIV infection. In an interview published in the book Light of the World, Benedict said that condoms are not a real or moral solution to HIV. However, use of a condom to prevent transmission of di
UNITED STATES: Teen Births Hit Low in Hard Times: Wall Street Journal (12.22.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Mike Esterl; The birth rate for US teens fell to a record low in 2009, dropping 6 percent to 39.1 births per 1,000 females ages 15- 19, according to a new CDC report. Some experts cite the recession as a key reason for the declines, which were noted for teens of all ages, races, and ethnicities. These historic lows for teen birth r
UTAH: Utahns Don't Expect Swift Widespread Use of AIDS Pill that Helps Gay Men Avoid HIV Infection: Salt Lake Tribune (12.23.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Utah HIV/AIDS physicians and advocates are reacting cautiously to news that an already approved HIV treatment can help prevent healthy gay men from becoming infected. The study involved men who have sex with men, and transgender persons who have sex with men. Among those who took daily emtricitabine plus
VIRGINIA: HIV/AIDS Patients Scrambling to Cover Cost of Medications: Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) (12.19.10) - Wednesday, December 22, 2010; Amy Jeter; As part of its cost-containment strategy, Virginia s AIDS Drug Assistance Program has announced plans to push 760 current clients with relatively stable immune systems out of ADAP and onto a waiting list. About 400 new ADAP applicants a year who would have qualified for the program under earlier, less-stringent require
PHILIPPINES; ASIA: HIV Cases Rise in Philippines, Asia: Philippine Daily Inquirer (12.20.10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Even as HIV prevalence stabilizes in many parts of the world, it continues to rise among men who have sex with men and among transgender persons in the Philippines and major Asian cities, according to the UN Development Program. The situation may worsen further, UNDP said, unless nations strengthen their city-level res
CALIFORNIA: Patrick Henry High Student Tests Positive for TB: San Diego Union-Tribune (12.20.10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Janet Lavelle; A student at Patrick Henry High School in San Carlos has been diagnosed with TB, prompting officials of the San Diego Unified School District and the county Health and Human Services Agency to contact individuals who may be at risk. The potential exposures would have taken place between Sept. 7 and Dec. 16. Dr. Wilma W
MASSACHUSETTS: Sex Education Update with 'Net in Mind: Boston Globe (12.16.10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Katrina Ballard; Needham Public Schools (NPS) is updating its sex education curriculum to help students handle issues arising from new social networking and technology. A Health Advisory Council subcommittee, which developed the proposed program over the past two years, will present the curriculum to the School Committee at the end of
PENNSYLVANIA: Counselor Takes STD Testing to the Community with Comfortable Alternative: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (12.16.10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Deborah M. Todd; Young people come to Delbert Fullum s apartment in Wilkinsburg to hang out, play video games or cards, and to get tested for STDs and HIV. Fullum is a certified HIV tester and counselor with One Church, a Christian church that since 2007 has contracted with the state and county health departments to serve as a designat
UNITED STATES: Tuberculosis Transmission and Use of Methamphetamines in Snohomish County, Wash., 1991-2006: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 12: P. 2481- 2486 (12..10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Eric S. Pevzner, PhD, MPH; Susan Robison, BSN; Jenny Donovan, BS; Donna Allis, PhD, RN; Chris Spitters, MD, MPH; Rachel Friedman, MD; Kashef Ijaz, MD, MPH; John E. Oeltmann, PhD, MSPH; The investigators studied a cluster of TB cases among methamphetamine users in Snohomish County, Wash., to determine the extent of the outbreak, examine whether methamphetamine use contributed to TB transmission, and implement strategies to prevent further infections. After screening contacts to find and treat persons
SWAZILAND: TB Care Moves to the Community: Inter Press Service (12.15.10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Mantoe Phakathi; In Swaziland s Shiselweni region, Doctors Without Borders (DWB) is promoting task-shifting from medical personnel to trained community caregivers in a bid to treat rural TB patients who are too poor or weak to reach regional health centers. DWB began assisting the Ministry of Health regarding TB and HIV in Shiselweni i
UNITED KINGDOM: Tackling Tuberculosis in London's Homeless Population: The Lancet Vol. 376; No. 9758: P. 2055-2056 (12.18.10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Talha Burki; In the United Kingdom , the homeless have an estimated TB rate of 300 cases per 100,000 people, compared with 15 TB cases per 100,000 in the general population. In London, Find and Treat is an active case-finding program that uses a mobile digital radiography unit to screen homeless people, including those accessing dr
UNITED STATES: Loopholes in 'Do Not Board' List: Directory Is Designed to Keep Infectious Travelers Off Flights: USA Today (12.17.10) - Tuesday, December 21, 2010; Alison Young; The top Republican on a House oversight and investigations subcommittee is asking the secretary of Homeland Security for more information about the effectiveness of the federal Do Not Board flight listing. Rep. Michael Burgess (Texas), a medical doctor, wrote to Janet Napolitano Thursday requesting details about three
CAMBODIA: Cambodia to Issue 1 Million Stamps to Promote Awareness of HIV/AIDS in 2011: Xinhua News Agency (12.16.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Cambodia s Ministry of Post and Telecommunications will issue 1 million stamps in 2011 to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, the ministry s chief said Thursday. The stamps will be put in use from June next year, So Khun said, adding that they will display images and messages aimed at educating the public about the disease. Th
WEST VIRGINIA: West Virginia County Reports 5 Hepatitis A Cases: Associated Press (12.17.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Cabell Huntington Health Department officials said Friday they are investigating the possible source of a hepatitis A outbreak in which five persons have fallen ill. Elizabeth Ayers, a department spokesperson, said the Cabell County school system also is involved, since some of the patients are children. In addition, t
VIRGINIA: Highlights of Gov. McDonnell's Proposed Budget: Associated Press (12.17.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Among other provisions, the Virginia state budget proposed by Gov. Bob McDonnell would: allocate about $11.4 million in additional funds to help people in behavioral health crisis situations; provide almost $900,000 for abstinence education during a two-year period; eliminate $5 million in funding for at-risk youth and
CALIFORNIA: Blunt Sex Talk at Sweetwater High: Kaiser Permanente Program Provides Message in Edgy, Relevant Manner: San Diego Union-Tribune (12.16.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Ashly McGlone; A theatrical program sponsored by Kaiser Permanente debunked myths and candidly discussed the realities of engaging in early sex during a recent performance for National City teens. At Sweetwater High School, some 700 students in grades nine through 12 watched an hour-long Kaiser Permanente Educational Theater play ent
GLOBAL: Refocus on Prevention and Education to Make Progress on AIDS, Say US Scientists: British Medical Journal Vol. 341; doi: 10.1136/bmj.c6920 (12.01.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Bob Roehr; Preventing new infections should be the priority of the long- term response to HIV/AIDS in Africa, according to a recent US Institute of Medicine (IOM) report. In 2008, more than 33 million people had HIV/AIDS globally, including 22.4 million in Africa. More than 90 percent of the 2.7 million new infections reported th
AFRICA: Threat of a Perfect Storm - AIDS and a Fresh Food Crisis: Inter Press Service (12.01.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Davison Mudzingwa; Food security organizations are warning that prices for food have risen to a level not seen since the beginning of the 2007-08 crisis. Of the 30 countries most likely to need external food assistance, 22 are in sub-Saharan Africa, according to the World Food Program. And the most vulnerable countries also have many peo
AFRICA: Homophobia Sweeping Africa Like a Disease, Says Rights Group: Voice of America News (12.16.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Joe DeCapua; The African Union must end its silence concerning homophobia on the continent and take urgent measures to stop this growing and insidious contagion, the group AIDS-Free World says. The problem is definitely getting worse, said Paula Donovan, the organization s co-director. Homophobia seems to be spreading like a contag
UNITED KINGDOM: Tuberculosis Thriving in 'Victorian' London, Doctor Warns: The Guardian (London) (12.17.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Sarah Boseley; The United Kingdom logged 9,000 TB cases last year, 40 percent of them in London, according to a new report. The increase was mostly among foreign-born persons; however, 85 percent had been living in the nation for at least two years. The incidence in the UK has gradually increased over the past 15 years, Dr. Alimuddi
UNITED STATES: Thousands on HIV Drugs Desperate amid Budget Woes: Associated Press (12.16.10) - Monday, December 20, 2010; Michelle R. Smith; The recession has driven more patients to seek help from AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, and many states have been unable to meet the demand for ADAP services. As a result, thousands of HIV patients are left with uncertain access to treatment. In nine states, at least 4,732 people were on ADAP waiting lists as of Dec. 1
CALIFORNIA: Tree Trimming at AIDS Grove: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (12.16.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; Cynthia Laird; The public is invited to take part this Saturday in decorating a holiday tree in San Francisco s National AIDS Memorial Grove. Located in Golden Gate Park, the grove was conceived in 1988 as a community response to the devastation of the AIDS epidemic. All who seek healing, hope, and remembrance are welcome, said event
GEORGIA: Delta Helps AID Atlanta Land $745,000: Project Q Atlanta (12.16.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; Through an appeal to its SkyMiles members, Delta Air Lines raised $745,000 for AID Atlanta in just 15 days. Delta offered its frequent fliers the opportunity to earn 2,500 Medallion Qualification Miles in return for a $250 donation or 5,000 miles for $500 or more. SkyMiles members responded by giving $150,000 in the ca
KANSAS: Kansas Education Board Argues over HIV/AIDS Conference: Associated Press (12.16.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; State education board member Kathy Martin (R-Clay Center) argued unsuccessfully Wednesday that the Kansas Department of Education should not take part in an HIV/AIDS conference because it promotes safe sex instead of abstinence. Martin said she does not want students to be encouraged to use condoms. Some members concur
ILLINOIS: Chicago Team Responds to HIV Drug Study: Windy City Times (Chicago) (12.15.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; Chicago researchers and advocates are encouraged by the results of a recent trial using an HIV drug to prevent HIV infection. In a study population of men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women who have sex with men, researchers combined HIV testing, prevention counseling, condoms, and STD testing and treatm
GERMANY: German Doctors Declare 'Cure' in HIV Patient: Reuters (12.15.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; Maggie Fox; A new report finds that nearly four years after a bone marrow transplant, a patient with both HIV and leukemia appears to be free of HIV. Our results strongly suggest that cure of HIV has been achieved in this patient, wrote the investigators, led by Thomas Schneider of Berlin s Charite-University Medicine. The patient
LATIN AMERICA: Violence Against Women Linked to HIV Risk: Inter Press Service (11.24.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; Marcela Valente; A recent study finds 78 percent of HIV-positive women in four Latin American countries report some type of physical or psychological abuse from a loved one. By the time they became infected, many of the women already had a long history of abuse and gender violence that made them more vulnerable, according to Two Sides
GLOBAL: Global Fund Approves Disease Payouts Amid Fears for Africa: Agence France Presse (12.15.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; In its 10th funding round, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria on Wednesday approved $1.7 billion for 79 new grants over two years. Since its 2002 launch, the Global Fund has provided $21.7 billion in 150 countries. This funding will allow us to reach millions of additional people with prevention, treatment,
ILLINOIS: Illinois Lottery Unveils Ticket for World AIDS Day: Windy City Times (Chicago) (12.01.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; On World AIDS Day, the Illinois Lottery and state Department of Public Health debuted Red Ribbon Cash, a scratch-off ticket all of whose net proceeds will support HIV/AIDS services statewide. Red Ribbon Cash is the third Quality of Life ticket we are introducing, and the funds generated from this ticket support HIV/AID
UNITED STATES: Pass the Hairspray, Fight AIDS: New York Times (11.30.10) - Friday, December 17, 2010; Stuart Elliott; The L Oreal Foundation will send HIV/AIDS toolkits to 500,000 US hair salons and stylists as part of Hairdressers Against AIDS, an awareness campaign already underway in more than two dozen countries. The goal is to get hairdressers to impart their HIV prevention knowledge to customers. The campaign s theme is Use your
CAMBODIA: Cambodia Calls for More Attention to Fight Against HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (12.14.10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; On Tuesday, participants at Cambodia s third symposium on HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment said improved efforts and partnerships are needed to sustain the battle against HIV/AIDS. About 300 Cambodian and international delegates attended the two-day conference, organized by the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Derm
CANADA: Almost 4,900 Deaths Each Year in Ontario Because of Infectious Diseases: Report: Canadian Press (12.14.10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; Anne-Marie Tobin; A study examining the burden of illness, or healthy years lost, in Ontario each year finds the top 10 pathogens were hepatitis C, Streptococcus pneumoniae, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, E. coli, HIV/AIDS, Staphylococcus aureus, influenza, C. difficile and rhinoviruses (the common cold). Ontario mortality statistic
FLORIDA: Churches and HIV/AIDS; Assistant Pastor Urges Leaders, Congregations to Play a Bigger Role in Fight Against Disease: Gainesville Sun (12.09.10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; Cleveland Tinker; Love and acceptance of people living with HIV in the black community was the theme of a World AIDS Day event in Gainesville. The banquet service at the Eastside Recreation Center was led by Dr. Ruby Davenport, assistant pastor of Faith Tabernacle of Praise Missionary Baptist Church and executive director of FAITH (Find
PENNSYLVANIA: City''s Wrapper Design Contest Aims to Promote Use of Condoms: Philadelphia Daily News (12.14.10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; Natalie Pompilio; Health officials in Philadelphia are holding an open contest to choose a graphic that will be printed on the wrappers of condoms distributed during a citywide prevention campaign. Compared with other Pennsylvanians, city residents are about five times more likely to have chlamydia, six times more likely to have gonorrh
CHINA: Alcohol Use, Unprotected Sex, and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among Female Sex Workers in China: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 10: P. 629-636 (10..10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; Bo Wang; Li Xiaoming; Bonita Stanton; Lei Zhang; Xiaoyi Fang; Alcohol use has been suggested to interfere with condom use and to increase sexual risk behaviors, explained the study authors, noting limited data on the prevalence of this practice among female sex workers and its association with condom use and STD infection. In 2004 in Guangxi, China , 454 establishment-based
CANADA: Canada Lacks 'Will'' to Fight TB Properly: MD: Edmonton Journal (12.13.10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; Jen Skerritt, Winnipeg Free Press; While Canada provides a significant amount of assistance to fight TB in developing nations, advocates say this obscures a deplorable state of TB prevention and control among remote Canadian First Nations populations. Experts attribute the domestic TB problem to treatment and outreach gaps, underlying poverty, crowded h
AUSTRALIA: Younger Gay Men in Worrying HIV Trend: Australian Associated Press (12.12.10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; Danny Rose; In Victoria, younger men who have sex with men may be at an increasing risk of HIV infection, a new study suggests. The finding is based on age-trend comparisons of HIV diagnoses among MSM, using 2000-09 passive and sentinel HIV surveillance data in Victoria and enhanced syphilis and gonorrhea surveillance. After susta
GLOBAL: US Considers New Tools in Global AIDS Fight: Reuters (12.14.10) - Thursday, December 16, 2010; Andrew Quinn; On Tuesday, the director of the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief said new methods to slow the spread of HIV may have a place in the program s arsenal. Eric Goosby said PEPFAR is closely monitoring the progress of pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and microbicide gels. PrEP involves giving AIDS drugs to uninfect
ARIZONA: Go Daddy Gives $500,000 to Fund Women's Health Center: Associated Press (12.13.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Dana Wollman; GoDaddy.com, which sells website domain names, announced a $500,000 donation to the Southwest Center for HIV/AIDS to launch a Phoenix-based women s clinic. The Go Daddy Women s Health Center, set to open in 2011, will serve women at higher risk for HIV, particularly those who are victims of domestic violence. The city
NEW YORK: Ebb Foundation Donates $1 Million to Broadway Cares: New York Times (12.14.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Erik Piepenburg; Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has received its largest donation ever, a $1 million gift from the Fred Ebb Foundation. The Tony Award-winning lyricist s foundation, formed after his death in 2004, said Tuesday no restrictions were placed on the donation. We re interested in the funds being used to help actors, write
MASSACHUSETTS: Massachusetts Life Expectancy Continues Climb: Boston Globe (12.14.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Elizabeth Cooney; Massachusetts Deaths 2008, released Tuesday, finds life expectancy in the state hit a record high in 2008, with a person born that year estimated to live an average of 80.4 years. The US national average is 77.8 years. Women born in 2008 can expect to live until 83, while the figure for men is 78. The report said 146
VIRGINIA: Nothing Off-Limits in 'Just for Teens' Sessions: Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) (12.12.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Vicki L. Friedman; Chesapeake gynecologist Zenette Leao recently initiated Just for Teens, monthly hour-long sessions open only to girls ages 11-19. Unfortunately, I see a lot of teenagers who have already had issues before they come in to the gynecologist, Leao said. Mostly [the sessions are] for awareness and trying to get information
NEW YORK: Gay Groups Blast City-Sponsored HIV Ad: Wall Street Journal (12.13.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Last week, New York City health officials launched a new prevention effort that seeks to counter HIV complacency among men who have sex with men (MSM). However, two gay and lesbian advocacy groups said the campaign s TV ad is stigmatizing and too sensational. In the video, a voiceover states, When you get HIV, it s nev
UNITED STATES; AUSTRIA; CANADA: Buprenorphine Better than Methadone for Addicted Moms: Baltimore Sun (12.09.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Meredith Cohn; Methadone is the recommended treatment for pregnant women with opioid dependence; however, methadone exposure is associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), Hendr�e E. Jones, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Johns Hopkins school of medicine, and colleagues wrote in a new study. NAS is characte
PHILIPPINES: Parliament Blocks Philippines Condom Funding: Agence France Presse (12.13.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; On Monday, the Philippine parliament halted a government plan to provide free contraception, cutting a proposed 200 million peso (US $4.5 million) allocation to the Health Ministry s 2011 budget. The 200 million pesos allotted for the purchase of pills, injectables, and even condoms has been removed because these contr
UNITED STATES: Wiggins Takes on a New Mission: San Francisco Chronicle (12.14.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Ron Kroichick; After tearing her Achilles tendon in June, WNBA star Candice Wiggins returned to Stanford University to complete her communications degree. Though most of her energy was devoted to the five classes she took during fall semester, Wiggins also made time to continue her work promoting HIV/AIDS awareness and research. Wigg
UNITED STATES: Hepatitis C Pouncing on Boomers at Midlife: Palm Beach Post (12.07.10) - Wednesday, December 15, 2010; Stacey Singer; Health experts say the vast majority of people with hepatitis C virus are unaware they are infected. HCV can hide in liver cells for years, stealthily doing damage - cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure are common. The disease accelerates as people hit middle age, with 55 the median age for HCV diagnosis, said Dr
THAILAND: Pap Smear Campaign to Battle Cervical Cancer: The Nation (Bangkok) (12.14.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Pap testing will be free at state hospitals nationwide under a program lasting from 2011 to 2015, Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit announced recently. Early detection would help women access treatment and reduce the mortality rate, the minister said. After breast cancer, cervical cancer is the second leading c
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa to Double HIV Patient Treatment: Washington Post (12.14.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Associated Press; A newly announced agreement will bring down the cost of HIV drugs by 53 percent, thus allowing South Africa to treat twice as many patients in the next two years, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said on Tuesday. By encouraging potential suppliers of the country s antiretroviral program to itemize supply costs and moni
UNITED STATES: Shelf Life Extended for OraSure Product: Morning Call (Allentown, PA) (12.13.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Spencer Soper; OraSure Technologies announced on Monday that US regulators approved extending the shelf life of the OraQuick rapid HIV test to 24 months, up from 18 months. Manufacturing improvements in the product resulted in its longer shelf life, OraSure officials said. Using oral fluid or blood samples, the OraQuick HIV test yiel
GLOBAL: Promising HIV Prevention Offers Some New Hope: Contra Costa Times (12.05.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Seth Berkley, MD; The recent announcement that a pill currently used to treat HIV infection can also help prevent it was an important milestone in the effort to keep people from getting the virus. . The HIV drug s success in a Phase III trial is one of several recent breakthroughs in HIV prevention. None of the approaches, which also i
ILLINOIS: Howard Brown Board Set for Changes: Windy City Times (Chicago) (12.08.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; The Howard Brown Health Center (HBHC) in Chicago recently announced a campaign to recruit new board members, as it continues to address a financial shortfall that threatened to shutter it. Last year, HBHC announced the ouster of two executives over what center officials allege was the mishandling of more than $3 millio
GEORGIA: MISTER Makes a Positive Impact: GA Voice (Atlanta) (11.12.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Dyana Bagby; The AIDS service organization Positive Impact has developed a new program that offers culturally competent prevention and mental health services for people affected by HIV. A central theme of MISTER (Men s Information Services: Testing, Empowerment, Resources) is supporting gay men in making better choices. MISTER s F
AUSTRALIA: For Men, the Fire Still Burns: Study Shows that Even Up to Age 95, Sex Is Still a Big Part of the Picture: USA Today (12.07.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Liz Szabo; Results from a long-running study of men show one in three men ages 75 to 95 remain sexually active, defined as having had sex at least once over the past year. Of the sexually active participants in a study of 2,783 Australian men, 57 percent reported a satisfactory sex life, and 43 percent said they want to have sex
CHILE: Flood of Criticism for Tasteless AIDS Campaign: Inter Press Service (12.08.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Daniela Estrada; An open letter from HIV/AIDS activists to Chilean Health Minister Jorge Ma�alich urges him to rethink an HIV prevention campaign, saying the ads are offensive and ineffective. The TV spots target people ages 15-29, the demographic at highest risk, and began running Dec. 5. Government officials say the campaign s humoro
CALIFORNIA: HIV Advocates Optimistic on Brown: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (12.09.10) - Tuesday, December 14, 2010; Seth Hemmelgarn; Advocates are hopeful that Jerry Brown, who becomes California s governor on Jan. 3, gives high priority to HIV/AIDS as the state responds to a projected $25.4 billion deficit over the next 18 months. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Dec. 6 called a special legislative session to deal with the budget. California s 2010-11
ZAMBIA: Zambia Distributes 19 Million Male Condoms in Nine Months: Xinhua News Agency (12.10.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; The national Ministry of Health distributed more than 19 million male condoms and 1.5 female condoms between January and September 2010, the Post of Zambia said Friday. These figures did not include condoms distributed through non- governmental organizations, said Reuben Mbewe, a ministry spokesperson. He added that th
DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: DR Congo's HIV/AIDS Prevalence Hits 3.24 Percent: Xinhua News Agency (12.01.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; During a recent meeting of the National Multisectoral Council for Fighting Against AIDS, Health Minister Victor Makweng said HIV/AIDS prevalence in the Democratic Republic of Congo stands at 3.24 percent. DR Congo is surrounded by countries with very high rates of prevalence, and it was therefore important that we know
GLOBAL: EU and India Resolve Dispute over Generic Drugs: Reuters (12.10.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; Trade negotiators from the European Union and India said Friday they have resolved a dispute about generic drugs that was referred to the World Trade Organization last year. This is a great breakthrough which will of course lead to a suspension of WTO proceedings. So the dispute is over, said Anand Sharma, India s tra
LOUISIANA: Woman Works to Get Word Out About HIV/AIDS: The Advocate (Baton Rouge) (12.01.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; Rebekah Allen; The Baton Rouge-based non-profit HAART (HIV/AIDS Alliance for Region Two) provides free services to low-income people affected by HIV/AIDS. It offers testing, medical reimbursement, counseling, housing assistance, and emergency financial assistance to people struggling to make ends meet. HAART Executive Director Tim Yo
CALIFORNIA: HIV Prevention Efforts Go Mobile: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (12.02.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; Matt Baume; The San Francisco Department of Public Health has launched STD411, a new mobile application for iPhone and iPad users that offers instant access to STD information. SFDPH used a CDC grant to pay $4,000 for the app s development. The app presents users with a chart indicating the STD transmission risk based on particula
CALIFORNIA: Preventive Drug Brings Promise - and Questions: San Francisco Chronicle (12.09.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; Erin Allday; San Franciscans cheered last month s news that a combination antiretroviral already prescribed to treat HIV also prevented many new infections in a randomized trial involving 2,499 HIV- negative men who have sex with men. MSM given prevention counseling, condoms, and emtricitabine plus tenofovi
BULGARIA: Boys Today May Be Hitting Puberty Earlier: Reuters Health (12.06.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; Lynn Peeples; By the end of the 20th century, males were experiencing puberty at an accelerated rate, a new study finds. However, the researchers do not make any guesses as to what accelerated pubertal development may mean for men s health. Previous studies among girls have pointed toward a trend of earlier puberty, and there is som
SOUTH AFRICA: South African Teen Sex Challenges Anti-AIDS Fight: Agence France Presse (12.01.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; Official figures show some 13.7 percent of pregnant teenage girls are HIV-positive in South Africa , highlighting the challenge health officials face in lowering risky behaviors and infections among youths. The foundation of the government s HIV prevention program has been ABC - Abstain from sex, Be faithful, and use
TEXAS: Asian Americans See More Hepatitis B: Texas Tribune (Austin) (12.08.10) - Monday, December 13, 2010; Julie Chang; CDC figures show one in 10 Asian Americans have hepatitis B virus (HBV), a rate 20 times higher than the general population. Health officials, especially in Houston, want to lower that rate: The city has the fourth-largest Asian population of any US metropolitan area. HBV is up to 100 times more infectious than HIV and
NEW YORK: AIDS Community Services Approved for $218,000 Grant: Buffalo News (12.09.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; AIDS Community Services says it will use a new $218,000 grant from the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation to expand Evergreen Health Services, its HIV/AIDS specialty medical practice. Located at 206 S. Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo, that facility has seen its client base expand from 500 patients to 700 in the past two years. ACS e
NEBRASKA: New Planned Parenthood Center Opens in Omaha: Associated Press (12.09.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; A unique sexual assault examination suite is a feature of the new health center opened Tuesday in Omaha by Planned Parenthood of the Heartland. The suite, where victims will be cared for by specially trained staff, is a private area that includes an exam space as well as a full bathroom with shower. In addition to an e
UNITED STATES: US Life Expectancy Falls Slightly in 2008: CDC: Reuters (12.09.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; Julie Steenhuysen; CDC s National Center for Health Statistics reported Thursday that US life expectancy dropped slightly to 77.8 years in 2008 from 77.9 years in 2007, the first decline since 2004. Heart disease and cancer remained the two top killers, resulting in 48 percent of deaths. Death rates from stroke fell 3.8 percent from 2007
EUROPEAN UNION: Main Findings of European Health Report: Reuters (12.07.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; The European Commission and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development have issued a joint report, Health at a Glance: Europe 2010, on the state of health in the 27-member European Union. It finds that EU life expectancy at birth rose from an average of 72 years in 1980 to 78 years in 2007. From 2000 to
LOUISIANA: Infectious-Disease Specialist MarkAlain Dery at Tulane Medical Center Uses Music to Promote HIV Testing: Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (12.10.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; Doug MacCash; On Saturday, local musicians will promote HIV awareness at the Second Annual HAMP (HIV Awareness Music Project) at One Eyed Jacks, 615 Toulouse St. The musical review s performers will undergo rapid HIV testing in a bid to show patrons how easy it is to get screened and know your status. HAMP is the brainchild of Dr. M
PERU; UNITED STATES: Circumcision May Not Curb Gay HIV Transmission: Reuters Health (12.07.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; Male circumcision does not confer significant protection against HIV infection among men who have sex with men, a new study has found. However, circumcision may reduce HIV risk for MSM who mostly practice insertive anal sex, and study authors recommend continuing to assess male circumcision s effect for this subgroup a
MALI: Global Fund Suspends Malaria, TB Grants in Mali: Associated Press (12.07.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; Martin Vogl; On Tuesday, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria said it suspended three grants for work in Mali , citing misappropriation of funds. The fund said $4 million appears to have been diverted by false invoices, fake bidding documents, and overcharged goods and services. The Global Fund s announcement came two days
GLOBAL: Kenyans Rally Against EU-India Deal on AIDS Drugs: Reuters (12.09.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; Katy Migiro; On Thursday, protesters in Kenya rallied against a free-trade agreement between India and the European Union, claiming it would undercut access to antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). EU and Indian trade negotiators were scheduled to discuss the proposal in Brussels on Friday. Outside the EU s Nairobi offices, hundreds gat
CALIFORNIA: Porn Health Clinic Closed: Los Angeles Times (12.10.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; Molly Hennessy-Fiske; Los Angeles County on Thursday served a cease-and-desist order on a Sherman Oaks-based clinic serving the adult-film industry, two days after state health officials denied it a community clinic operating license. Among other business- related issues, the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) lacked a requi
UNITED STATES: Breast Milk Sharing Is a Trend Despite Government Warning: Philadelphia Inquirer (12.07.10) - Friday, December 10, 2010; Marie McCullough; For the first time, Food and Drug Administration advisers met Dec. 6 to collect information and seek public comment on formal human milk banking. Though casual milk sharing among mothers was not on the meeting agenda, it is a concern to FDA . On its website last week, FDA warned against feeding your baby breast milk ac
MALAYSIA: Malaysian Women in Conservative State Hit by HIV: Report: Agence France Presse (12.06.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; The national news agency Bernama reports that Malaysia s most conservative state - Kelantan, which is ruled by the hardline Islamic PAS party - has the country s highest HIV/AIDS rate. The situation is blamed on husbands who cross the border into Thailand , have sex with prostitutes, and infect their wives. Malaysian A
CHINA: China Says HIV Infections Increase at Slower Rate on Education: Bloomberg.com (11.29.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Henry Sanderson; China is crediting the expansion of education and treatment efforts for a slower rate of increase in HIV infection during the past two years, according to the Ministry of Health. Since 1985, China logged 49,845 AIDS deaths through Oct. 31, 2009, and 68,315 AIDS deaths through Oct. 31 of this year. The growth in HIV i
UNITED KINGDOM: Stigma 'Prevents Men from Seeking a Test for the Virus': Belfast Telegraph (12.01.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Stigma regarding AIDS continues to prevent many men from taking the HIV test, according to David McCartney of the support group Rainbow Project. There is still a huge stigma attached to HIV, and this is proving to be a major barrier because men fear walking into a hospital or medical center and asking to be tested for
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Halts Rollout of Circumcision Device: Associated Press (12.08.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Jenny Gross; South Africa s government has halted the distribution of a male circumcision device that critics called dangerous and painful. The plastic apparatus, Tara Klamps, has been used on 9,000 South African men since April. Properly performed male circumcision has been shown to reduce the risk of female-to- male HIV transmiss
MISSOURI: Gonorrhea Rate Declines in the City: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (11.23.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Michele Munz; New federal data on chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis show gonorrhea cases in St. Louis declined in 2009. The city has consistently ranked in the top five for gonorrhea and chlamydia rates over the last decade, ranking first in both diseases three years ago and second last year. CDC figures show 1,296 gonorrhea cases
INDIA: Some Stem Cells Protect TB Bacteria: Study: Reuters (12.06.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; New research may help explain why TB can remain dormant for so long in the human body. In response to TB infection, the human immune system produces T-cells to kill the bacteria and deploys mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to the sites, according to a study by Gobardhan Das, staff scientist at New Delhi s International Cen
SOUTH AFRICA: High Cost of AIDS Fight Worries Motsoaledi: Business Day (Johannesburg) (12.02.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Donna Bryson; Despite the cost, South Africa must continue to fund the battle against HIV/AIDS, its health minister said in an interview marking World AIDS Day. If we stop anything, it will just reverse all our gains, said Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, noting that better decisions in the past would have lowered costs now. Last year, Pre
GLOBAL: WHO Says Cepheid Rapid Test Will Transform TB Care: Reuters (12.08.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Kate Kelland; On Wednesday, the World Health Organization said it is endorsing a new molecular TB test made by Cepheid, calling it a major milestone in the treatment of the bacterial infection. WHO said the test could revolutionize TB control by allowing general health workers to accurately diagnose patients in about 100 minutes. Th
CALIFORNIA: Porn Clinic Denied State License: Los Angeles Times (12.09.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Molly Hennessy-Fiske; A San Fernando-based clinic serving the adult-film industry has had its application to operate as a community clinic denied, state Department of Public Health officials said Wednesday. The Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM), which screens performers for STDs before they work in heterosexual pornography,
KENTUCKY: Kentucky Health Department Eliminates AIDS Drug Waiting List: Lexington Herald-Leader (12.07.10) - Thursday, December 09, 2010; Karla Ward; John Cheves; On Monday, the Kentucky Department for Public Health announced it had eliminated a waiting list for the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program. The number of clients seeking ADAP services grew during the recession, as it is a payer of last resort, said Sigga Jagne, Kentucky s HIV/AIDS program manager. The state initiated t
CANADA: Saskatchewan Dealing with More HIV Cases, Funding for New Program in Spring: Canadian Press (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Saskatchewan logged more than 200 new HIV cases last year and is setting up a special team of experts in response, the chief medical officer said recently. Pharmacists and public health experts will be included on the team, whose funding will be announced in the spring, Dr. Moira McKinnon said. A Health Ministry spokes
RUSSIA: TB Mortality in Russia Goes Down by over 8 Percent: Itar-Tass News Agency (11.24.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Deaths from TB in Russia this year are down by 8.4 percent compared to last year, according to a recent statement by Tatiana Golikova, the minister of health and social development. The largest decreases were observed in the Murmansk, Chelyabinsk and Novosibirsk regions, and the Khabarovsk territory. Diagnosis of the c
NIGERIA: Nigeria Records Positive Results in Battle Against HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (12.04.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Nigeria is recording a number of positive results in the battle against HIV and AIDS, Dame Patience Jonathan, the country s first lady, said in World AIDS Day remarks. These results include an increase in the level of awareness [of] the virus. There is also a reduction in stigmatization, an increase in the number of
UNITED STATES: After HIV Pill News, Now Comes the Tricky Part: CNN.com (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Dr. Kevin Fenton; [On Nov. 23], the National Institutes of Health announced a major advance in HIV prevention. The results of a study showed that a once-daily pill containing drugs used to treat HIV can also help prevent HIV infection, a new approach called pre- exposure prophylaxis [PrEP]. In the international study of gay and bisexua
NEW YORK: Youths Take Lead in Effort to Stop HIV: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (12.02.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Patti Singer; Youths and adults in Rochester have banded together to respond to a local spike in HIV diagnoses among young people. Public health officials recently reported that 27 of the 60 individuals newly diagnosed with HIV in the county through the first nine months of the year were under 25 years of age. The message of the Roc
SOUTH AFRICA: Psychosocial Challenges and Protective Influences for Socio-Emotional Coping of HIV+ Adolescents in South Africa: A Qualitative Investigation: AIDS Care Vol. 22; No. 8: P. 970-978 (08..10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; I. Petersen; A. Bhana; N. Myeza; S. Alicea; S. John; H. Holst; M. McKay; C. Mellins; While the roll-out of antiretroviral therapy in South Africa should lead to a reduction in mother-to-child transmission, mortality, and orphaning, it will also be accompanied by a large number of children entering adolescence and adulthood with a chronic infectious disease, the study authors noted. Adolescence is an e
GLOBAL: Catholic AIDS Workers: Pope Echoing Us on Condoms: Associated Press (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Michelle Faul; Some rank-and-file Roman Catholic AIDS workers say Pope Benedict XVI s newly qualified position toward condom use reflects what they have been saying for quite some time. The people in the trenches have been allowing people to use condoms for 10 years now, said Sister Elaine Pearton at the Inkanyezi parish in
CANADA: B.C. Officials Want HIV Tests Offered on Routine Doctor Visits: Edmonton Journal (12.05.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Susan Lazaruk; Public health officials in British Columbia are testing the feasibility of offering an HIV test to anyone seeking care at a doctor s office, clinic or hospital. The initiative, called Stop HIV/AIDS, is funded by a four- year, $48 million (US $47.5 million) grant to the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Providence Hea
UNITED STATES: US Uninformed About AIDS, Advocates Say - Southeast Has Highest Death Rate, Least Federal Funding for Education: Birmingham News (12.02.10) - Wednesday, December 08, 2010; Jeff Hansen; The CEO of AIDS Alabama marked World AIDS Day by noting the disparities in HIV-related funding and education in the South. More than half the US residents who died of AIDS in 2006 were minorities, and half of US AIDS deaths occurred in the South - figures Kathie Hiers called dismaying. HIV more seriously impacts poor p
MICHIGAN: Raising Awareness: Lansing Area Marks World AIDS Day: Lansing State Journal (12.02.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; Laura Misjak; Some 50 people marked World AIDS Day Wednesday by taking part in a candlelight vigil at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center. It s a critical day for all of us, said Jacob Distel, executive director of the Lansing Area AIDS Network, which sponsored the gathering and is celebrating its 25th anniversary. AIDS changes
CANADA: AIDS Funding: Canadian Press (12.01.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; The government of British Columbia is matching an anonymous donor s gift of $500,000 (US $495,528) to ensure that Vancouver-area HIV/AIDS patients can access care seven days a week. Vancouver s Dr. Peter Center already operates a day- health outreach on weekdays as well as a residence program for patients needing more
CHINA: Sex Becomes Main Source of AIDS Spread in Drugs-Plagued China Province: Xinhua News Agency (11.29.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; Although Yunnan borders Asia s infamous opium-producing Golden Triangle region, health authorities in the southwestern Chinese province say sex has overtaken drug use as the leading cause of HIV transmission there. During the first 10 months of 2010, 71 percent of new HIV infections were linked to sexual contact, said
UNITED STATES: Prevalence and Correlates of Sexual Behavior and Risk Management Among HIV-Positive Adults over 50: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 10: P. 615-620 (10..10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; Sarit A. Golub; Julia C. Tomassilli; David W. Pantalone; Mark Brennan; Stephen E. Karpiak; Jeffrey T. Parsons; The study authors examined the prevalence and correlates of sexual behavior, sexual risk and behavioral risk reduction strategies among a diverse sample of HIV-positive adults over age 50. A total of 914 HIV-positive adults age 50 and older (640 males, 264 females, 10 transgender) living in New York City completed indi
ASIA: Asia's First AIDS Conference on MSM, Transgender Populations Held in Hong Kong: Xinhua News Agency (12.07.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; Public health officials today convened in Hong Kong for Asia s first conference dedicated to the prevention and treatment of HIV in men who have sex with men. The rise in HIV infections among MSM in Hong Kong and surrounding areas prompted the three-day conference, Hong Kong Director of Health Py Lam told attendees at
SOUTH AFRICA: HIV Testing Campaign Far Behind Targets: Business Day (Johannesburg) (11.25.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; Tamar Kahn; AIDS activists say the government s campaign to offer voluntary HIV counseling and testing to 15 million South Africans by June, or nearly 1 million people a month, is lagging due to poor communication. President Jacob Zuma announced the testing initiative in April. But by September, just 2.5 million people had been te
PHILIPPINES: UNDP: People with HIV Suffer Stigma, Discrimination: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (12.01.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; About half of people living with HIV/AIDS in the Philippines have experienced human rights abuses, a UN Development Program official said during a forum in Manila marking World AIDS Day. A 2009 baseline survey of people with HIV found that people were detained, quarantined or segregated, forced to submit themselves to
GLOBAL: UN Reports Decrease in New HIV Infections: New York Times (11.24.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; Worldwide, new HIV infections are trending downward, but progress against the disease is unevenly distributed across the globe, according to a UN report released to coincide with World AIDS Day. In 2009, approximately 2.6 million new cases of HIV were diagnosed, down about 20 percent from the annual peaks seen in the l
SOUTH CAROLINA: Some AIDS Patients Face Longer Wait for Drug Assistance: Greenville News (12.01.10) - Tuesday, December 07, 2010; Liv Osby; The waiting list for South Carolina s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is growing. Each week we continue to receive applications, said Noreen O Donnell, manager of the Ryan White program for the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. And in the absence of additional funding, it will continue to grow f
ZAMBIA: US Gives Funds to Zambia to Fight AIDS: Agence France Presse (11.24.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; During a recent ceremony in Lusaka, Ambassador Mark Storella announced a new US commitment to fight HIV/AIDS in Zambia . The United States has contributed about $1 billion to Zambia s AIDS-fighting efforts in the past six years, he said. As a result of this partnership and shared vision, the US government contribution
PHILIPPINES: Philippines Reports Rise in HIV/AIDS Infections: Agence France Presse (11.25.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; The Philippines health ministry has reported a spike in new HIV infections, with young gay men at highest risk. From 2007 there has been a shift in the predominant trend of sexual transmission from heterosexual contact to males having sex with males, says a ministry report. The Philippines recorded 1,305 new HIV infect
INDONESIA: One in Four Bali Prostitutes HIV-Positive: Agence France Presse (11.14.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; One in four prostitutes on the resort island of Bali are HIV- positive, according to a new report from Indonesia s National AIDS Commission. Many people are reluctant to go for medical check-ups, as there s still stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, said Nyoman Mangku Karmaya, NAC spokesperson
NEW MEXICO: Parents Protest Condom Distribution: Albuquerque Journal (12.02.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; More than 50 parents protested condom distribution on school campuses at a recent Albuquerque Public Schools (APS) subcommittee meeting. However, the School Health Advisory Council (SHAC) has not proposed such a recommendation, does not have the authority to create policy, and is not a voting body. At the Dec. 1 meetin
CANADA: Is Vancouver Canada's Supervised Injection Facility Cost-Saving?: Addiction (08..10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; Steven D. Pinkerton; The current study examined whether the supervised injection facility and syringe exchange programs offered by Insite in Vancouver are cost-saving. The author compared Insite s operating costs in one year with costs associated with preventable HIV infections and related medical care. Mathematical models were used to cal
CHINA: Ex-Official Implicates Two Chinese Leaders in AIDS Scandal: Agence France Presse (12.01.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; In an open letter to President Hu Jintao, the former head of China s Institute of Health Education accused two of the country s most powerful leaders of gross negligence in the blood-selling scandal that left tens of thousands of Henan province residents infected with HIV. Chen Bingzhong, 78, who has advanced liver can
AUSTRALIA: 'Dangerous Complacency' on HIV: Australian Associated Press (12.01.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; Danny Rose; Rising rates of STDs seen in Australia s youth are prompting fears among public health officials of a future spike in HIV diagnoses. If their attitude to unsafe sex continues, it will only be a matter of time before HIV infections increase, too, said Levinia Crooks, CEO of the Australian Society of HIV Medicine. Au
NEVADA: Hepatitis C Outbreak Leads to Resource Guide: Las Vegas Review-Journal (12.01.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; Paul Harasim; A new guide for hepatitis C patients and their families is being distributed to primary care doctors across southern Nevada. The guide - which describes treatments, transmission, symptoms, coping mechanisms, diet, and the effect of the disease on personal relationships - was developed by the Southern Nevada Health Dist
ALASKA: Alaska Fighting Uphill Battle to Reduce Gonorrhea Rate: Anchorage Daily News (11.26.10) - Monday, December 06, 2010; Lisa Demer; Gonorrhea reports in Alaska have jumped in recent years, according to CDC s recent national surveillance report. Alaska reported 144.3 cases per 100,000 population last year, up from 84 per 100,000 population in 2008. The national rate declined from 110.7 cases per 100,000 population in 2008 to 99.1 last year. Between
UNITED KINGDOM: Numbers in Ulster Quadruple: Belfast Telegraph (12.01.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; Lisa Smyth; New HIV diagnoses in Northern Ireland fell from 91 cases in 2008 to 68 cases last year, new Public Health Agency figures show. More than half of diagnoses were in men who have sex with men, with the majority of MSM infections acquired in the United Kingdom .
CHINA: HIV-Related Employment Discrimination in China Highlighted in Report: Xinhua News Agency (11.30.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; Activists in China called for stronger protections against HIV discrimination for Chinese workers following a report released last week detailing HIV-related abuses. The International Labor Organization and China s disease control center jointly conducted research for the report, HIV and AIDS-Related Employment Discrim
CHINA: China AIDS Death Toll Up Nearly 20,000 in a Year: Report: Agence France Presse (11.29.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; State media said Nov. 29 the official estimate for reported AIDS deaths in China increased by almost 20,000 this year. Citing Health Ministry data, China Central Television said cumulative AIDS deaths in the country reached 68,315 by the end of October, compared with 49,845 reported deaths at the end of October 2009. T
CALIFORNIA: Join the Conversation: San Francisco Chronicle (12.01.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; The San Francisco Department of Public Health and the non- profits STOP AIDS Project and Project Inform will host a community forum about how to reduce new HIV infections in the city on Dec. 9. The 6:30 p.m. event will be held at the LGBT Center, 1800 Market St., San Francisco.
MASSACHUSETTS: 2012 HIV Vaccine Conference Coming to Boston: Boston Globe (12.01.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; Boston will host AIDS Vaccine 2012, the largest conference devoted exclusively to research into an HIV vaccine, sponsors say. The meeting is organized by the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, a partnership of researchers, funders, industry representatives, policy-makers, and advocates. More than 1,000 attendees are expect
TEXAS: Testing for HIV/AIDS at Clinics to Be Routine: Austin American-Statesman (12.01.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; Mary Ann Roser; HIV testing soon will be routine at 16 of the 19 public health clinics serving Austin s Travis County. Health officials in March initiated routine HIV testing at four of the clinics run by Travis County CommUnityCare, the clinics overseen by the county s health district. Routine HIV testing will be extended to an addit
NEW YORK: HIV Rises for Area Young: Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (11.25.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; Patti Singer; The Rochester area is seeing a growing proportion of HIV cases diagnosed in patients younger than 25. Through September, nearly half of new HIV diagnoses in Monroe County this year were in patients under age 25, up from 14 percent during 2007. Patients under age 25 accounted for 27 of 60 HIV cases recorded in the first
UNITED STATES: Behaviors of Recently HIV-Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men in the Year Post-Diagnosis: Effects of Drug Use and Partner Types: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes doi:10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181ff9750 (12.01.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; Pamina M. Gorbach; Robert E. Weiss; Robin Jeffries; Marjan Javanbakht; Lydia N. Drumright; Eric S. Daar; Susan J. Little; With the objective of assessing the behaviors of recently HIV- infected men who have sex with men, the study authors conducted interviews every three months with 193 recently infected MSM in the Southern California Acute Infection and Early Disease Research Program from 2002 to 2006. Changes in HIV status of partners,
GLOBAL: Red Cross Scolds 'Failed' HIV Policy Among Nations: Associated Press (11.26.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; John Heilprin; The International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC) is urging countries to adopt new strategies for addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic among injecting drug users (IDUs). More than 80 percent of governments worldwide are inclined to artificial realities, impervious to the evidence that treating people who inject drugs as
TEXAS: Proposed Legislation Calls for Routine HIV Screening: Houston Chronicle (12.01.10) - Friday, December 03, 2010; Todd Ackerman; On Wednesday, state Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston) filed a bill that would require Texas health care providers to inform patients that blood drawn as part of any routine medical testing would be screened for HIV unless the patient opts out. Filed to coincide with World AIDS Day, the bill is based on CDC recommendations
CANADA: HIV Survey: Canadian Press (11.24.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; A study of 1,169 Vancouver men who have sex with men found that 18 percent were HIV-positive, but most were aware of their status and on treatment. Conducted between August 2008 and February 2009, the survey found that 86 percent of the MSM had been screened for HIV. However, the testing rate was 77 percent among MSM u
GLOBAL: Funding Gap for AIDS Worries Doctors Without Borders: Xinhua News Agency (11.29.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; In a report released ahead of World AIDS Day, Doctors Without Borders said HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention worldwide is being threatened by lower funding and rising drug prices. The current price of newer medicines that we need is increasing rapidly, while donors have decided to retire from committing significant amo
SOUTH AFRICA: New System to Help Track AIDS Patients: Business Day (Johannesburg) (11.30.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Tamar Kahn; South Africa s Department of Health is implementing an electronic management system designed to dramatically improve treatment monitoring of HIV/AIDS patients. Currently, each of the nine provinces has its own system of electronic and paper- based records, making it difficult to track patients who move. The country s H
UNITED KINGDOM: A Quarter of People in UK with HIV Do Not Know It: The Guardian (London) (11.26.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Sarah Boseley; Of the estimated 86,500 people living with HIV in the United Kingdom , about 25 percent are not aware they are infected, the Health Protection Agency said recently. We re very concerned that a large number of people in the UK are unaware of their HIV status, and that half of all newly diagnosed people are diagnosed lat
ZIMBABWE: US Launches HIV Testing Program in Zimbabwe with Star Musicians, Broadcasters, Soccer Players: Associated Press (12.01.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Angus Shaw; US Ambassador Charles A. Ray was among the celebrities getting an HIV test this week to kick off a US-sponsored campaign to encourage testing in Zimbabwe , where 13 percent of the general population and 20 percent of residents ages 13-30 are believed to be HIV-positive. Also getting tested was Desmond Maringwa, star so
UNITED STATES: Walgreens Starts HIV Campaign: Chicago Daily Herald (12.01.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; On Tuesday, Walgreens launched its collaboration with the national Greater Than AIDS campaign with streaming HIV messages on its digital board in New York s Times Square. More than 200 stores in the pharmacy chain will display signs and materials from the HIV prevention campaign, which focuses on the black community. E
UNITED STATES: Bush Calls on US to Step Up Fight Against AIDS: Agence France Presse (12.01.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Former president George W. Bush, recognized during his tenure for expanding the US role in the global fight against HIV, this week called for a recommitment to that legacy. The continuing fight against global AIDS is something for which America will be remembered, Bush wrote in a Dec. 1 Washington Post opinion piece ma
WISCONSIN: Cedarburg Will Contact Families Opting Out of Sex Education: District to Verify Parents' Intent after Policy Change: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (11.24.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Becky Vevea; The school board of Cedarburg is confirming with the parents of 111 students their apparent decision to keep those students away from school-sponsored sex education classes. Recently enacted state law requires that any school district offering sex education include issues such as contraception. Under a new school board
UGANDA: Causes of Early Mortality in HIV-Infected TB Suspects in an East African Referral Hospital: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes Vol. 55; No. 4: P. 446-450 (12.01.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Rachel Kyeyune, MBChB; Saskia den Boon, MSc, PhD; Adithya Cattamanchi, MD; J. Lucian Davis, MD, MAS; William Worodria, MBChB, MMed; Samuel D. Yoo, MD; Laurence Huang, MD, MAS; Autopsy studies provide the majority of data on the etiology of respiratory infections, a leading cause of death in Africa, particularly among HIV-infected patients. The study authors evaluated pneumonia cases associated with early mortality among hospitalized HIV-infected patients at Mulago Hospital in Kampala. A pros
THAILAND: Thousands of Civil Servants Carry AIDS Virus: The Nation (Bangkok) (12.02.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Thailand s campaign to reduce new HIV infections among young people has been showcased during World AIDS Day events in the country this week. Most new infections are detected among people aged between 19 and 29, said Dr. Somyot Kittimunkong, director of the AIDS division at Thailand s Disease Control Department. Ab
UNITED KINGDOM: AIDS 'Fatigue' May Cause Lack of Funds, Former UNAIDS Head Says: Bloomberg News (11.30.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; The success in curbing HIV infections globally has engendered a dangerous complacency in the fight against the epidemic, the former head of UNAIDS said recently in an interview in London. There is clearly AIDS fatigue, said Dr. Peter Piot, director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine since September.
ILLINOIS: Cook County Ranks High in Sexually Transmitted Disease: STD Treatment Costs US Health Care System $16.4 Billion a Year: Chicago Tribune (12.01.10) - Thursday, December 02, 2010; Reuters; New CDC figures show the United States logs 19 million new STD cases each year. Less than half the people who should be screened receive the recommended STD tests, CDC said. If left undiagnosed and untreated, STDs raise the risk of HIV infection. The report found large racial disparities in STD rates, reflecting a rang
KENTUCKY; CALIFORNIA: Dining Out for Life Serves HIV Patients: Courier Journal (Louisville) (11.29.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; On Wednesday, restaurants in Louisville and Lexington will donate a portion of their sales to support local AIDS service organizations. On Thursday, restaurants in Sonoma County, Calif., also will hold a Dining Out for Life benefit for local ASOs. Find information about participating restaurants and beneficiaries by vi
AUSTRALIA: Sydney Opera House and Bridge Turn Red: Australian Associated Press (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; Rock star Bono and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard teamed up this week to bathe the Sydney Opera House in red light in observance of World AIDS Day. With this red lighting we proclaim a day of mourning for our brothers and sisters who have been lost, Gillard said Tuesday at events marking the occasion. The oper
SOUTH KOREA: S. Korean Volunteers Stage Campaigns Marking World AIDS Day: Xinhua News Agency (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; AIDS campaigners in Seoul commemorated World AIDS Day today by hosting several awareness events across the city. At a crowded shopping complex in Dongdaemun, volunteers and activists handed out condoms and educational pamphlets, and offered free counseling on HIV/AIDS-related issues. Another event was held in the heart
CHINA: Chinese Premier Stresses AIDS Control in Less-Developed Regions: Xinhua News Agency (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; Premier Wen Jiabao spoke with AIDS patients in an impoverished area of southwest China , urging better coordination of HIV prevention with economic and social projects in less-developed areas of China. The government sees AIDS control as a priority in ethnic minority and poor regions, Wen said during his World AIDS Day
SOUTH AFRICA: South African Officials Visit Families Hit by AIDS: Agence France Presse (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; To mark World AIDS Day today, South African health officials visited poor families struggling with AIDS in the eastern Mpumalanga province. What we are observing here is the devastation of HIV/AIDS, said Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi, who with Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe distributed food and blankets in Drief
UNITED STATES: Merck's HIV Drug Isentress Fails Once-a-Day Study: Reuters (11.29.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; Ransdell Pierson; Taking the HIV drug Isentress once a day is not as effective as the standard twice-daily regimen, reported drug manufacturer Merck & Co. Based on these initial results, Merck is suspending the Phase III trial of once-daily dosing. Isentress is the only HIV drug that works by blocking integrase, an enzyme that allow
UNITED STATES: HIV Intervention for Providers Study: A Randomized Controlled Trial of a Clinician-Delivered HIV Risk- Reduction Intervention for HIV-Positive People: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes Vol. 55; No. 5: P. 572-581 (12.15.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; Carol Dawson Rose, PhD, RN; Cari Courtenay-Quirk, PhD; Kelly Knight, PhD; Starley B. Shade, PhD; Eric Vittinghoff, PhD; Cynthia Gomez, PhD; Paula J. Lum, MD, MPH; Oliver Bacon, MD; Grant Colfax, MD; Clinician-delivered prevention interventions offer an opportunity to integrate risk-reduction counseling as a routine part of medical care, explain the study authors. A randomized, controlled trial, the HIV Intervention for Providers study, developed and tested a provider-based HIV prevention training intervention in
GLOBAL: UNICEF Says HIV-Free Generation Is Achievable: Reuters (11.30.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; Kate Kelland; Dramatic improvements in preventing transmission of HIV infection from mother to baby have persuaded UN officials that it can be eradicated completely. Nothing gives me more hope than knowing an AIDS-free generation is possible in our lifetime, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe said in a World AIDS Day statement
GLOBAL: Complacency Fuels New AIDS Surge in West: UN: Agence France Presse (12.01.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; HIV infection rates among young people in Western nations are three times higher than they were in the early 2000s, a top UNAIDS official noted in World AIDS Days remarks today. You have young people who don t know enough about AIDS, there is less of a fear factor about it, said UNAIDS Deputy Executive Director Paul De
UNITED STATES: More, but Not Enough, Americans Get AIDS Tests: Reuters (11.30.10) - Wednesday, December 01, 2010; Maggie Fox; CDC said Tuesday that nearly 83 million Americans have undergone HIV testing, 11.4 million of them since the agency issued guidelines in 2006 making screening a routine part of health care. Today s data shows that following those recommendations, there was a significant increase in the number of Americans who were test
BURMA: Burma Allows HIV Shelter to Continue Operating: Associated Press (11.25.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Burma authorities gave a last-minute reprieve Nov. 25 to HIV patients living in a shelter run by supporters of democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi. Local officials in military-ruled Burma had ordered the 80 patients to vacate, without explaining why they would no longer approve the requests for overnight guests that ar
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. News in Brief: Washington Post (11.25.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Terence McArdle; The D.C. HIV Prevention Community Planning Group is seeking volunteers to serve a two-year term. The HPCPG determines which populations are in greatest need of HIV prevention services and how best to meet those needs, and then works with the D.C. Department of Health to implement the group s recommendations. Volunteers
FLORIDA: World AIDS Day Event to Be Held in Eustis: Orlando Sentinel (11.19.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Linda Shrieves; On Wednesday, Dec. 1, the Lake County Health Department will host a World AIDS Day event at Ferran Park in Eustis from 1 to 5:30 p.m. The World AIDS Day theme for 2010 is Universal Access and Human Rights. We are supporting this year s theme by providing a rapid 20-minute HIV testing at the Ferran Park event, said Sara
GEORGIA: Emory University to Host 1,200 Panels of AIDS Quilt: Associated Press (11.29.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; A 1,200-panel section of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will go on display at Atlanta s Emory University on Wednesday in conjunction with World AIDS Day. The event on Emory s McDonough Field will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Atlanta-based NAMES Project Foundation is the quilt s international curator.
TENNESSEE: AIDS Activist Visits Nashville: The Tennessean (Nashville) (11.29.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Nicole Young; On Wednesday, the founder of an international AIDS advocacy group will speak at Vanderbilt University s Langford Auditorium as part of the school s commemoration of World AIDS Day. The lecture by Stephen Lewis begins at 7 p.m., followed by a reception with Lewis and local HIV activists. Lewis, former deputy director of
UNITED STATES: Targeted Human Papillomavirus Vaccination of Men Who Have Sex with Men in the USA: A Cost-Effectiveness Modeling Analysis: Lancet Infectious Diseases Vol. 10; No. 12: P. 845-852 (12..10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Jane J. Kim, PhD; A vaccine targeting human papillomavirus (HPV) types 16 and 18, which are associated with 80 percent of anal cancers, is efficacious in men. High-risk populations such as men who have sex with men (MSM) might especially benefit from vaccination, explained the study author, who aimed to estimate the cost- effectiveness
THAILAND: Government Push to Ease HIV Confidentiality Rules for Young People: The Nation (Bangkok) (11.29.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Pongphon Sarnsamak; Thai law should be amended to make HIV services available to those under 18 without parental permission, which would encourage early treatment and help reduce the spread of the disease, says Public Health Minister Jurin Laksanawisit. His recent pitch to the Medical Council to amend the law was prompted by increasing HI
AUSTRALIA: Experts Pushing for Rapid HIV Testing: Sunday Age (Melbourne) (11.28.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Jill Stark; Health advocates in Australia are pushing for approval of rapid HIV tests there as a way to expand testing and curb rising infection rates. Australia is the last developed country in the world that doesn t have access to rapid testing, said Mike Kennedy, executive director of the Victorian AIDS Council. If we introduc
EUROPE: UNAIDS Chief: Spread of HIV in E. Europe Is Scary: Associated Press (11.24.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Veronika Oleksyn; New HIV infections in Eastern Europe and Central Asia in 2009 represented nearly three times the number the region recorded in 2000, UNAIDS recently reported. Last year, 76,000 people in the region died of AIDS-related causes, up from 18,000 in 2001. When we are seeing a positive movement happening in a different part
FLORIDA: Florida's AIDS Medication Program Feeling Strained: Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville) (11.29.10) - Tuesday, November 30, 2010; Kate Howard; To cope with the longest waiting list for a state AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in the nation, Florida is turning to corporate donations and federal stop-gap measures. I really worry sometimes that it feels like we re going backwards, said Avery Garner, a Jacksonville resident who chairs the Florida Gay Men s HIV
LOUISIANA: HIV/AIDS Roundtables Set for Nine-Parish Area: The Advocate (Baton Rouge) (11.25.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; Baton Rouge-area Ryan White officials are holding a series of roundtables to discuss the needs of local people living with HIV/AIDS, according to the Division of Human Development and Services. The discussions, hosted by the Baton Rouge Transitional Grant Area Ryan White Program, will take place through Dec. 10. For mo
ARKANSAS: State Health Panel to Host AIDS Talk: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (11.26.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; On Tuesday, the Arkansas Minority Health Commission will host a panel discussion at the University of Arkansas-Little Rock. Topics will include the state s contribution to HIV/AIDS treatment, grassroots prevention efforts, and legislative recommendations for the 2011 session. Panelists will include Dr. Creshelle Nash,
UNITED STATES: OraSure HIV Test Inches Closer to FDA Approval: Morning Call (Allentown, PA) (11.23.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; Spencer Soper; The Food and Drug Administration is in the final stages of reviewing a proposed over-the-counter version of the rapid HIV test available in hospitals and clinics, test-maker OraSure Technologies said recently. To gain approval, OraSure will at a minimum have to prove that consumers untrained in lab testing can correctl
WEST VIRGINIA: Four Cases of Hepatitis A Confirmed in Cabell: Herald-Dispatch (Huntington) (11.23.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; Four cases of hepatitis A were recently confirmed by health officials in Cabell County on the West Virginia-Ohio border, the area s second such report in recent weeks. It has not been determined whether the latest reports are related to five cases recently confirmed by officials at the Ashland-Boyd County Health Depart
CALIFORNIA: Silicon Valley AIDS Center to Close: San Jose Mercury News (11.26.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; Joe Rodriguez; Despite fundraising efforts, a loss of corporate sponsorship is shuttering the Silicon Valley AIDS Leadership Center. SVALC, the only organization in Santa Clara County focused exclusively on fighting HIV/AIDS, will close its doors by year s end, said James Lee, the center s chairperson. According to Lee, the $100,000
UNITED STATES: HIV+ Women Need Annual Cervical Cytology: ACOG Guidelines: Reuters Health Medical News (11.22.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recently issued guidelines for the routine gynecological care of HIV-positive women. Most of the women living with HIV today in the US are in their prime reproductive years, noted Dr. Hal C. Lawrence, vice president of practice activities for ACOG. All women ages
UNITED STATES: Delaying Treatment for HIV Can Become Costly: Baltimore Sun (11.24.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; The higher costs of starting HIV treatment when the disease is well advanced can persist for years, report researchers from Johns Hopkins University. Among 8,348 study patients in nine HIV clinics around the country, the stage of the disease when treatment began had a dramatic impact on costs. Treatment costs during th
GLOBAL: Three Big Developments Make AIDS Outlook More Hopeful: Associated Press (11.23.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; Marilynn Marchione; Three recent developments on the HIV/AIDS front have renewed hope among health experts and advocates. On the same day, Nov. 23, UN officials announced a dramatic drop in new HIV cases globally, the pope opened the way for condom use to prevent HIV, and study results showed that a daily AIDS treatment already on the mar
MICHIGAN: 'R U Ready' Sheds Light on Costs of Teen Parenthood: Lansing State Journal (11.10.10) - Monday, November 29, 2010; Louise Knott Ahern; The stark reality of becoming a parent while still a teen is the topic of a new program sponsored by Michigan health officials and vetted by a broad array of community groups. We want young people to stop and think, said Marilyn Stephen, director of Michigan s Department of Human Services Office of Child Support. T
FLORIDA: World AIDS Day Motorcycle Rally: Orlando Sentinel (11.18.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; Orlando s Dr. James R. Smith Community Center, 1723 Bruton Blvd., will be the site of a motorcycle rally Dec. 4 to commemorate World AIDS Day. The grassroots group Sistas Organizing to Survive will present information on the AIDS epidemic s impact on women. The free event begins at noon, with registration at 11:30 a.m.
TENNESSEE: Comprehensive Care Center Hosts Grand Opening: Out & About (Nashville) (11.15.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; Nashville s Comprehensive Care Center - a private, not-for- profit outpatient medical facility serving patients with HIV - moved to its new home in the Vanderbilt Health building at 100 Oaks on Oct. 4. At the facility s grand opening on Dec. 2 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., visitors will have the opportunity to tour Tenn
NORTH CAROLINA: Duke to House HIV Vaccine Testing: News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (11.17.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; The National Institutes of Health has awarded a seven-year, $52.8 million grant to support the creation of the External Quality Assurance Oversight Laboratory at Duke University Medical Center. The lab will develop, implement, and lead oversight of quality assurance laboratories involved in HIV/AIDS research and vaccin
ALABAMA: Interfaith Voices: Remember Those Struggling with HIV/AIDS: Montgomery Advertiser (11.18.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; Susan Diamond; For the past 23 years, World AIDS Day has been dedicated to raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in our community and world. . Over the past few years, my own congregation has been exploring how we might be more closely involved with ministry to our local community s HIV/AIDS needs. After a process of discernment and upon re
WEST VIRGINIA: Health Inquiry: Negligence Led to Hepatitis B Scare: Charleston Gazette (W.V.) (11.20.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; Veronica Nett; Negligence helped fuel a hepatitis B outbreak at a free dental clinic last summer that infected five people, West Virginia health officials said last week. The confirmed cases of three patients and two volunteers were among seven originally linked to the clinic. Health officials this past June notified 1,137 patients a
UNITED STATES: Researchers Uncover Insulin Resistance Link: Reuters (11.23.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; Researchers at St. Louis Washington University (WU) may have shed light on how protease inhibitors could contribute to insulin problems seen in some patients. In mouse studies, researchers at WU s School of Medicine found that the first-generation protease inhibitor ritonavir appears to inhibit a key mechanism known as
GLOBAL: Treating Prisoners While Jailed Could Stop Disease: Associated Press (11.19.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; More resources for prison medical care would reduce health crises among prisoners and help protect the health of the general population when prisoners are released, researchers said in new study. Prisoners act as reservoirs of infection and chronic disease, increasing the public health burden of poor communities, wrot
SOUTH AFRICA: 'Whoonga' Drug: A New Twist in South Africa's AIDS War: Associated Press (11.20.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; Donna Bryson; Drug users in South Africa s KwaZulu-Natal province are diverting antiretroviral pills intended for AIDS patients and mixing them in illicit concoctions to get high, authorities and health experts say. So far, the practice of smoking the ARV-laced mixture called whoonga has been limited to the eastern part of the provi
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Officials Quiz Doctors about HIV/AIDS: Washington Post (11.17.10) - Wednesday, November 24, 2010; Lena H. Sun; Private-practice doctors in Washington soon will be undergoing a test themselves - city officials are quizzing them on how much they know about HIV/AIDS. We suspect there are gaps in doctors understanding of testing guidelines that have changed considerably, and we really hope to understand where they are so we can add
GLOBAL: WHO Chief Welcomes Pope's Condom Comments: Agence France Presse (11.22.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Recent remarks in which Pope Benedict XVI appeared to modify his stance on the use of condoms to prevent HIV were hailed by the leader of the World Health Organization . I welcome this position and for the first time, the use of condoms in special circumstances was endorsed by the Vatican, and this is good news and a g
GLOBAL: Pope's Male Prostitute Becomes Female in Translation Mix-Up: Agence France Presse (11.22.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Vatican sources on Monday cleared up some confusion regarding remarks by Pope Benedict XVI concerning HIV and the use of condoms. In a series of interviews published in his native German, Benedict said condom use may be justified in certain cases, for example when a male prostitute uses a condom. However, a lexical err
UNITED STATES: Vertex Submits Application for Hepatitis C Drug: Boston Globe (11.23.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Cambridge, Mass.-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. reports it has completed a new drug application seeking regulatory approval for telaprevir, a hepatitis C drug candidate. Included in the submission is a request that the Food and Drug Administration reduce its review time from 10 months to six months. This submission
UNITED STATES: Teens Should Teach Adults About Safe Sex: USA Today (11.19.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Joyce King; ... An Indiana University study published last month in the Journal of Sexual Medicine examined the habits of almost 6,000 people ages 14 to 94. Forget the teens gone wild stereotypical thinking. The statistics that give pause are unmarried adults: *91 percent of men older than 50 do not use condoms for sex with a dat
NEW YORK: HIV/AIDS Agency Seeks Clients for Nutrition Program: Journal News (White Plains) (11.18.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Khurram Saeed; The only thing missing in Hudson Valley s largest HIV food program is enough HIV-positive clients. Together Our Unity Can Heal, an agency in Congers, N.Y., serves about 85 of the estimated 785 HIV-positive Rockland County residents, said TOUCH Executive Director Robert Maher. I think the majority of people who aren t u
MISSOURI: HIV Inmate Deprived of Care, Suit Says: ACLU Says Case Reflects Pattern of Failure at City Jails: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (11.19.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Valerie Schremp Hahn; An HIV-positive inmate received substandard care at a St. Louis jail, including 17 days without his medication, charges a suit filed on his behalf by the American Civil Liberties Union of Eastern Missouri. The man, known in court documents as John Doe, is in his late 40s. He was arrested in March 2010 and released this
GLOBAL: Truvada Cuts HIV Risk Significantly in San Francisco Study: San Francisco Chronicle (11.23.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Erin Allday; Taking two HIV drugs once-daily provided high-risk but HIV- negative participants an average 44 percent protection against HIV infection in a trailblazing new study. The clinical trial followed 2,499 HIV-negative men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women who have sex with men in six countries, including a s
GLOBAL: UN Sees Global AIDS Epidemic Starting to Turn: Reuters (11.23.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Kate Kelland; Global HIV incidence fell 19 percent between 1999 and 2009, and the decline exceeded 25 percent in 33 countries, including 22 in sub-Saharan Africa, UNAIDS said in its annual AIDS Epidemic Update. At least 56 countries either have stabilized or significantly reduced HIV incidence, UNAIDS reported. An estimated 33.3
UNITED STATES: Gonorrhea Rate at an All-Time Low, but Syphilis and Chlamydia Rates Continue to Rise: Los Angeles Times (11.22.10) - Tuesday, November 23, 2010; Thomas H. Maugh II; In 2009, new cases of sexually transmitted disease in the United States numbered about 19 million and cost the health care system $16.4 billion, according to CDC s annual summary. The number of reported cases of gonorrhea, 301,174, produced the lowest rate since CDC began tracking the disease in 1941, 99.1 per 100,000
THAILAND: Proper Sex Education Needed to Prevent Unwanted Pregnancy: Thai Prime Minister: Xinhua News Agency (11.21.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; The key to preventing illegal abortions in Thailand is for young people to be properly educated about sexual issues, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Sunday in a nationally televised address. His remarks were a response to the discovery of more than 2,200 aborted human fetuses at a Buddhist temple in Bangkok. The
NEW ZEALAND: Sex Education on the Agenda for Adult Students: Australian Associated Press (11.19.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Beginning next year, foreign-born adults attending Auckland s Concordia Institute will be required to take sex education. School leaders made the decision after finding many of the students had been taught little or nothing about sex in their native lands. The instruction is necessary to help them cope with the new-fou
BURMA: Burma Shuts HIV/AIDS Shelter After Suu Kyi Visit: San Francisco Chronicle (11.21.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Associated Press; One day after it was visited by newly freed democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi, a shelter housing HIV/AIDS patients was shut down by Burmese authorities. More than 600 people were on hand to cheer Wednesday s visit by Suu Kyi, who promised to help the facility s patients access medications. Burma s military rulers respo
UNITED STATES: National Institute of Mental Health Multisite Eban HIV/STD Prevention Intervention for African-American HIV Serodiscordant Couples: Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 170; No. 17: P. 1594-1601 (09..10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Nabila El-Bassel, DSW; John B. Jemmott, PhD; J. Richard Landis, PhD; Willo Pequegnat, PhD; Gina M. Wingood, ScD, MPH; Gail E. Wyatt, PhD; Scarlett L. Bellamy, ScD; for the NIMH Multisite HIV/STD Prevention Trial for African-American Couples Group; Noting that rates of new HIV infections are seven times higher for African Americans than for white persons, the researchers undertook to determine whether couple-level efforts may be a promising intervention strategy. A cluster randomized controlled trial (Eban) was conducted in four US cities - New York, Atlanta, Phi
CANADA: Sex Law that Raises Age of Consent to 16 Not Protecting Youth Most at Risk: Study: Canadian Press (11.16.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Camille Bains; In a bid to prevent the sexual exploitation of adolescents by adults, Canada in 2008 raised the minimum age for legal consent to sexual relations from 14 to 16. However, 14- and 15-year-olds are much more likely to have sex with other youths within three years of their own ages - well inside the law s five-year close-
RUSSIA: Russian HIV Patients Seen as 'Lab Rats' Amid Drug Shortage: BBC Worldwide Monitoring (11.16.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Moscow Times; Russian HIV/AIDS treatment centers in 44 regions have had to use substitute drugs due to bureaucratic delays in the procurement and distribution of antiretrovirals, advocates say. The Health and Social Development Ministry recently took over these tasks from another state agency, and it was late initiating a tender for
SWAZILAND: Aid Group Trains Swaziland Laymen to Fight AIDS: Associated Press (11.17.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Phathizwe-Chief Zulu; Swaziland , with the world s highest HIV prevalence, is training lay people and nurses to assume sophisticated health care roles in its fight against the virus. It s a necessary policy in order to reach the number of people in the region given the shortage of human resources in the public sector, said Catherine Toml
GLOBAL: Pope Says Some Condom Use 'First Step' of Morality: Associated Press (11.21.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Nicole Winfield; Frances D'Emilio; In the limited context of preventing the onward transmission of HIV, condom use could be a first step toward embracing a different, moral sense of sexuality, Pope Benedict XVI said in a book to be released Tuesday. Benedict made the statement over the course of a six-day interview with German journalist Peter Seewald.
MASSACHUSETTS: Massachusetts Inmates Sue over New Rules on HIV Medication: HIV Patients Now Must Wait in Line: Boston Globe (11.22.10) - Monday, November 22, 2010; Jonathan Saltzman; The process for distributing HIV medication in Massachusetts prisons is designed to save the state money by discouraging adherence with therapy regimens, charges a suit expected to be filed today in US District Court in Boston. The prison system and its medical provider, UMass Correctional Health, can and have erected
CAMBODIA: Cambodia Prepares to Hand Out 450,000 Condoms During Water Festival: Xinhua News Agency (11.18.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Cambodia s Water Festival, which attracts millions of people and is the country s biggest annual event, kicks off Saturday, and representatives of the National AIDS Authority will be on hand to help participants stay safe. The agency plans to hand out 450,000 condoms during the three-day celebration. A total of 420 boa
CHINA: Shanghai University Hires Nobel Laureate as Professor: Xinhua News Agency (11.19.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Shanghai Jiao Tong University announced Thursday it has hired Luc Montagnier, co-discover of HIV, as a full-time faculty member. We were not only attracted to Professor Montagnier because of his Nobel laureate title, but also because of his great passion for research in this field, university President Zhang Jie said a
UNITED STATES: OraSure Honored for New Rapid Hepatitis C Test: Morning Call (Allentown, PA) (11.18.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Spencer Soper; OraSure Technologies rapid-result hepatitis C virus test has been honored by Popular Science magazine as one of the top 100 technological innovations for 2010. Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in June, the OraQuick HCV test is used on whole blood samples and delivers results in 20 minutes. The company now i
WISCONSIN: Photos Tell of Life with HIV: Exhibit Aims to Ease Stigma of the Disease: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) (11.14.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Gayle Worland; The world through the camera lens of eight men and women living with HIV is on display through Dec. 12 at Madison s Overture Center Playhouse Gallery. The project was something HIV-related that wasn t the typical gala dinner or AIDS walk, something where I could really be open to the mystery to what would come out of t
UNITED STATES: Gender and Age Patterns in HSV-2 and HIV Infection Among Non-Injecting Drug Users in New York City: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 10: P. 637-643 (10..10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Don C. Des Jarlais; Kamyar Arasteh; Courtney McKnight; David Perlman; Holly Hagan; Salaam Semaan; Samuel R. Friedman; The researchers undertook the current study to examine prevalence of and associations between herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection and HIV infection among never- injecting users of heroin and cocaine (NIDUs) in New York City. The study s subjects were patients entering the Beth Israel drug detoxification progr
UNITED STATES: Impact of a Statewide Childhood Vaccine Program in Controlling Hepatitis A Virus Infections in Alaska: Vaccine Vol. 28; No. 38: P. 6298-6304 (08..10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Rosalyn J. Singleton; Sarah Hess; Lisa R. Bulkow; Louisa Castrodale; Ginger Provo; Brian J. McMahon; Routine universal childhood vaccination against hepatitis A virus has nearly eliminated HAV infections in Alaska, according to a recent study. The report chronicles how the state historically has experienced cyclic HAV epidemics, with Alaska Natives significantly more impacted than other racial/ethnic groups. The state
SOUTH KOREA: Official: UN Chief Asks South Korea to Lift HIV Test Requirement for Foreign Teachers: Canadian Press (11.16.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Hyung-Jin Kim; During a visit to South Korea last week, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik to end HIV testing requirements for foreign teachers. In January, South Korea lifted travel bans for most non-nationals with HIV/AIDS. Ban, a former South Korean foreign minister, spoke with Kim during a visit t
CHINA: China's HIV/AIDS Policies Need to Be Fully Implemented at All Levels: Researcher: Xinhua News Agency (11.18.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Implementing national HIV/AIDS policies at local government levels in China will require more resources, including adequate funding, according to Dr. David Ho, the researcher who pioneered highly active antiretroviral therapy. China s central government policies on HIV/AIDS are quite good, Ho said. They are really al
SOUTH AFRICA: Hope for South Africa's AIDS Fight: Associated Press (11.19.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; Donna Bryson; Despite its stark assessment that reversing South Africa s HIV/AIDS epidemic is extremely difficult, if not impossible in the coming years, a report requested by the South African government still offers some hope. Appropriate, informed policy moves now can bring about progress, said Robert Hecht of the Washington-base
UNITED STATES: AIDS is 'Forgotten Epidemic,' Koop Says: Washington Post (11.18.10) - Friday, November 19, 2010; David Brown; The surgeon general who confronted Americans with frank talk about HIV in the early days of the AIDS epidemic now delivers a different but no less urgent message. Simply put, HIV is no longer on the public s radar screen, and the result is deadly serious, Dr. C. Everett Koop, 95, said Wednesday at the National Press Cl
SOUTH CAROLINA: Department of Health and Environmental Control Offering Free or Low-Cost Testing for World AIDS Day: www2.wspa.com (Spartanburg) (11.17.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; Sandra Renrick; In recognition of World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, DHEC will offer free or low-cost testing for HIV. In South Carolina, more than 14,000 people are known to be living with HIV/AIDS, and we estimate that one HIV infection occurs in the state every nine hours, said Janet Tapp, director of DHEC s STD/HIV Division. Every county in
BURMA: Suu Kyi Visits HIV-Positive Patients: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (11.17.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; Just four days after her release from house arrest, democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi on Wednesday visited about 120 HIV patients and pleaded their case for more assistance. Please help them. Donate money to them, she told a cheering crowd of about 500 in South Dagon township. The patients expressed delight with the vi
GEORGIA: Early Leaders in Georgia's HIV Fight to Share Insights: Project Q Atlanta (11.17.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; On Thursday evening at a public meeting in Athens, four leaders in the fight against AIDS will recall their work in the early days of the epidemic. It is worth retelling the story of how issues associated with the epidemic - including sexual orientation, drug abuse, prejudice and public health - were effectively addres
CALIFORNIA: County to Work with Mexico on Tuberculosis: San Diego Union-Tribune (11.11.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; Michele Clock; San Diego County supervisors recently authorized travel by a public health services staffer to assist a cross-border TB control program. The trip to meet with officials in Mexico City is expected to cost $2,650 and be paid by CDC, according to a county staff report. In Mexico City, the staffer will meet with those work
UNITED STATES: Kidney Transplants Found Safe in HIV Patients: Reuters (11.17.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; Gene Emery; HIV-infected patients who received kidney transplantation had high patient and organ survival rates at both the first and third year after the surgery, a new study shows. An increasing number of people with HIV have end-stage renal disease (ESRD), despite the efficacy of highly active antiretroviral therapy in reducing
SOUTH AFRICA: New Drugs to Speed TB Treatment: Inter Press Service (11.15.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; Tinus De Jager; Researchers are testing a TB treatment modality that could cut the length of therapy, which now can extend for two years, to six months. The approach shows promise in treating both drug sensitive (DS TB) and multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB). None of the drugs being tested is known to interfere with HIV treatment. Thi
ARIZONA: State Cuts Stop Phoenix Man from Getting New Liver: Associated Press (11.16.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; Amanda Lee Myers; Lack of money prevented a 32-year-old Phoenix man this week from receiving liver transplant surgery - a procedure dropped from his Medicaid coverage Oct. 1. Francisco Felix appears to be the first person affected by changes in Arizona s Medicaid program that deny liver transplants for persons with hepatitis C. Felix wa
UNITED STATES: US Panel Positive on Merck Vaccine for Anal Cancer: Reuters (11.17.10) - Thursday, November 18, 2010; Lisa Richwine; On Wednesday, most members of a Food and Drug Administration advisory panel said Merck & Co. s Gardasil human papillomavirus vaccine appears effective in preventing anal cancer. Merck presented the FDA panel with data from tests of Gardasil among men. However, many panelists said they feel confident the vaccine als
MISSOURI: Evangel to Host Panel on 'The Changing Face of AIDS': News-Leader (Springfield) (11.08.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; The Evangel University Social Work Program will present a panel discussion entitled The Changing Face of AIDS from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 6 in the Barnett Fine Arts Recital Hall. Jeanne White-Ginder, mother of the late Ryan White, will be the featured speaker. Also taking part will be numerous representatives of AIDS
KENTUCKY: Good Samaritan Health Care Worker Has TB: Lexington Herald-Leader (11.16.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; Cheryl Truman; Health authorities reported this week that a health care worker at Lexington s UK HealthCare Good Samaritan Hospital has been receiving treatment for a confirmed case of TB. The patient also is a student at Eastern Kentucky University. So far, at least 50 Madison County residents and 82 employees at Good Samaritan have
MASSACHUSETTS: Study: Most in Massachusetts Insured: Access to Care Tight: Associated Press (11.16.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; Steve LeBlanc; The Massachusetts Health Council on Tuesday released its annual report detailing progress as well as continuing challenges in the state. Thanks in part to the state s 2006 health care law, 97 percent of Massachusetts residents are insured. Access, however, is limited. Because only 44 percent of primary care physicians
PENNSYLVANIA: Standing in the Need: Philadelphia Inquirer (11.14.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; As one of the most respected and powerful voices in the African-American community, the black church cannot continue to be missing in action in fighting the disproportionate impact of AIDS and HIV among blacks. That s why it s heartening to learn that black clergy members in and around Philadelphia are breaking their
PENNSYLVANIA: Philadelphia Clergy Increase AIDS Awareness: Philadelphia Inquirer (11.15.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; Kia Gregory; Clergy in Philadelphia s African-American congregations are deploying their resources over the next several weeks in an all-out HIV prevention campaign. The citywide effort involves more than 100 houses of worship, 30 of which have pledged to host HIV testing on site. In addition, clergy are delivering HIV prevention m
NORTH CAROLINA: State Cites Assisted Living Center for Lack of Infection Controls: WRAL.com (Raleigh) (11.16.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; Cullen Browder; On Tuesday, the North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) detailed violations found during an investigation into a hepatitis B virus outbreak at an assisted living center. Five GlenCare of Mount Olive residents ages 63- 83 who died since August had HBV; three more were infected. Blood glucose monitors
NETHERLANDS: Comparison of Two HIV Postexposure Prophylaxis Regimens Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Amsterdam: Adverse Effects Do Not Influence Compliance: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 11: P. 681-686 (11..10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; Gerard J.B. Sonder; Jan M. Prins; Rosa M. Regez; Kees Brinkman; Jan-Willem Mulder; Jan Veenstra; Frans A.P. Claessen; Anneke van den Hoek; The current study s authors compared two HIV postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) regimens for safety, outcome, and follow-up among men who have sex with men (MSM) in Amsterdam. From 2000, all MSM beginning HIV PEP have been followed in one location. The PEP regimen was zidovudine or lamivudine and nelfinavir (regimen 1) unt
SOUTH AFRICA: Clicks Eases State HIV/AIDS Load: Business Day (Johannesburg) (11.16.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; Tamar Kahn; South Africa s campaign to test 15 million residents for HIV by June 2011 is getting help from a retail pharmaceutical chain eager to illustrate it can provide primary care to state-funded patients. Pharmacy chain Clicks said it has administered 20,000 HIV tests since the program began in April. Sixty percent were to s
GEORGIA: Press Conference, Rally Planned to Address Georgia's AIDS Drug Waiting List: GA Voice (Atlanta) (11.11.10) - Wednesday, November 17, 2010; Dyana Bagby; Georgia s AIDS Drug Assistance Program instituted a waiting list for new clients on July 1. As of Nov. 11, the list included 672 residents, according to the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. Georgia s ADAP waiting list is second only to Florida s, with 2,043 individuals. A rally in Atlanta on W
MALAYSIA: Malaysia to Give Sex Education to Primary School Pupils: Agence France Presse (11.14.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; In the past week, Malaysia has introduced plans to teach sex education to primary and secondary students. Just days after the government announced that secondary school pupils will receive the instruction beginning next year, Deputy Education Minister Wee Ka Siong said, We want to also give primary school students aged
MAINE: Maine CDC Puts Out Alert on Syphilis: Associated Press (11.15.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; The Maine Center for Disease Control on Monday issued a statewide alert about a spike in syphilis cases. With 19 infections diagnosed since mid-July, this year s case count of 33 is roughly double the average seen in recent years. The 19 recent cases all involve men who have sex with men. Because an increase in syphili
UNITED STATES: This Week's Health Industry News: New York Times (11.15.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; Natasha Singer; On Wednesday, the Food and Drug Administration s vaccine advisory committee is scheduled to consider whether to recommend expanding FDA s approval of Merck s human papillomavirus vaccine Gardasil to include the prevention of anal cancer. The vaccine is currently approved to prevent cervical cancer and genital warts.
UNITED STATES: Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Testing and High-Risk Human Immunodeficiency Virus Behavior Among 18- to 22-Year-Old Students and Nonstudents: Results of the National Survey of Family Growth: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 10: P. 653-659 (10..10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; Mary Jo Trepka; Sunny Kim; The current study characterizes HIV testing and high-risk behavior among 2,007 nationally representative adults ages 18- 22. Conducted between March 2002 and February 2003, Cycle 6 of the National Survey of Family Growth involved students and nonstudents. Data were analyzed using univariate and multivariate methods.
SOUTH AFRICA: Driving to Better Healthcare: Business Day (Johannesburg) (11.11.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; Roger Houghton; Auto manufacturer Mercedes-Benz SA has stepped up and solidified its long-standing support of HIV prevention efforts among truckers. We, like other people in the South Africa transport industry, are very concerned that the once-stable complement of 7,000 truck drivers is now under threat due to the impact of poor healt
ZIMBABWE: US Funds Circumcision to Fight AIDS in Zimbabwe: Associated Press (11.15.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; Angus Shaw; Since May 2009, Zimbabwe has campaigned to circumcise more than 1 million men in a bid to fight HIV transmission. The program, which the United States supported with $6.6 million in its first year, has circumcised 12,000 men already. The procedure has been shown to reduce the risk of female-to-male HIV infection by 60
AFRICA: Food Security, HIV/AIDS Treatment Closely Linked: Voice of America News (11.11.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; Joe DeCapua; Africa s struggle to contain HIV must include strategies to ensure that its people have enough to eat, said experts who met recently in Cape Town, South Africa , to discuss food security. The early years of the HIV epidemic claimed farmers in the already-marginal, agriculture-based economies of Africa, noted Stuart Gil
AUSTRALIA: CSL Wants Free Cancer Vaccine for Boys: Australian Associated Press (11.14.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; Petrina Berry; The Australian maker of the Gardasil human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, CSL, says it will ask regulatory authorities there to immunize boys ages 12-13 free of charge. Last week, Australia s Therapeutic Goods Administration approved Gardasil for males ages 9-26 to prevent external genital lesions and infection by the t
UNITED STATES: Grown-Up, but Still Irresponsible: New York Times (10.10.10) - Tuesday, November 16, 2010; Roni Caryn Rabin; 50-something singles are singled out in a new study from Indiana University (IU) for their casual sexual behavior and less-than-diligent use of condoms. Among men over 50, 23 percent said their most recent sexual connection was with a friend or new acquaintance. The comparable number among women was 13 percent, said IU
NEW YORK: $2.3 Million Grant Awarded for HIV Training Efforts: Buffalo News (11.13.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $2.3 million grant to the University of Buffalo s HIV Clinical Pharmacology Research Program. The funding will allow the university to continue its efforts to train scientists and lab specialists from African nations that are experiencing major HIV/AIDS epidemics. So far,
SOUTH AFRICA: Almost 30 Percent of Pregnant Women Have HIV: Business Day (Johannesburg) (11.12.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Genevieve Quintal; An estimated 29.4 percent of pregnant women in South Africa last year were HIV-positive, a figure that has been stable for the past four years, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi told the National Consultative Health Forum on Thursday. The HIV epidemic poses one of the greatest health and developmental challenges, Motso
SOUTH AFRICA: Global Body Begins TB Drug Trials: Business Day (Johannesburg) (11.10.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Tamar Khan; In a move it hopes will advance new and effective treatments, the Global Alliance for TB Drug Development has launched the first clinical trial to test several new TB drugs simultaneously. Current TB treatment uses a combination of drugs to prevent the development of resistance. Andreas Diacon, a professor at the Unive
GEORGIA: Clayton Board of Health Gets Grant to Tackle Teen Pregnancy: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (11.12.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Tammy Joyner; With the help of a federal grant, the Clayton County Board of Health will support two programs to fight pregnancy among at- risk youths ages 12 to 19. The pilots will begin early next year and involve youths failing or suspended from school as well as juvenile offenders. The five-year, $850,000 annual grant was awarded
NORTH CAROLINA: Center's License in Peril After 5 Patients Die: News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (11.13.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Thomas Goldsmith; On Friday, North Carolina officials said shared or unsterile blood glucose testing equipment is likely to blame for eight hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections at an assisted living center. State investigators are still detailing violations found while visiting GlenCare of Mount Olive. Of the eight patients, five had died
SPAIN: Bone Loss More Common in HIV: Reuters Health (11.11.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Alison McCook; People with HIV are at a greater risk of bone disease, a new study shows, though it is unclear why. Nonetheless, the findings emphasize the need to apply strategies that prevent bone demineralization and to closely monitor bone mass density in this population, said Dr. Anna Bonjoch of the Lluita Contra la SIDA Foundati
CHINA: China AIDS Group Says It Is Forced to Shut Down: Associated Press (11.11.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Cara Anna; A Chinese group focusing on rural AIDS and orphans shut down Thursday due to mounting pressure from the Beijing tax bureau, advocates said. Beijing Loving Source (BLS) was founded by jailed AIDS activist Hu Jia; its closure follows stepped-up government pressure against and harassment of other organizations dealing wit
CHINA: Law Banning Discrimination on HIV Fails in China Court: New York Times (11.13.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Andrew Jacobs; Chinese authorities have rejected a 22-year-old college graduate s claim that he was unfairly denied a teaching job because he is HIV-positive. The man will appeal, his lawyers said. In his ruling, the judge said regulations barring HIV-positive civil servants take precedence over a four-year-old law that states no ins
UNITED STATES: Study: Girls Take More Chances During First Sex: CNN.com (10.11.10) - Monday, November 15, 2010; Teenage girls are 30 percent more likely than teenage boys to engage in their first sexual encounter without contraception, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association (APHA). Because 80 percent of contraception used at first sex is condoms, the use of birth control l
BOTSWANA: Botswana Expands Efforts in Battle Against HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (11.09.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; With an adult HIV prevalence of 24.6 percent, Botswana s AIDS epidemic is second only to Swaziland s, UNAIDS said in April. This week, however, President Ian Khama highlighted progress in the nation s response. The 152,598 Botswanans receiving antiretroviral therapy represent 92.5 percent of those needing the drugs, he
NEW JERSEY: The AIDS Memorial Quilt to Be Displayed at Monmouth University: The Hub (Long Branch) (11.09.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Monmouth University in West Long Branch has announced plans to display 20 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt in commemoration of World AIDS Day. The panels will be on view Nov. 30 through Dec. 2, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily in the Rebecca Stafford Student Center Anacon Hall. The AIDS Memorial Quilt is the world s larges
CALIFORNIA: Wells Fargo Gives $150K to AIDS Program: The Advocate (11.10.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Gary Hall, an executive with Wells Fargo Bank, this week presented a check for $150,000 to the AIDS Assistance Program of Palm Springs. Wells Fargo has really come through for us in a time of great need, and their support encourages others to give, said Mark Anton of AAP. The gift will help provide food vouchers to 500
NORTH CAROLINA: Owner: 5 N.C. Nursing Home Deaths Under Scrutiny: Associated Press (11.11.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; An agency spokesperson said the state health department expects soon to release its report on a hepatitis B outbreak at the Glencare nursing home in Mount Olive, where five residents have died of the infection. In all, eight residents have contracted the disease. Glenn Kornegay, the facility s owner, said on Thursday s
VIRGINIA: Time to Turn Light Back on HIV/AIDS: Richmond Times-Dispatch (11.05.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Lest we forget, AIDS is still with us. If anyone at Richmond CenterStage needed a reminder, the point was driven home during a Wednesday night screening of The Other City. This documentary, produced by Middleburg businesswoman and philanthropist Sheila Johnson, gets up close and personal with the AIDS epidemic in Wash
PENNSYLVANIA: Local Black Clergy Unite to Fight HIV/AIDS: Philadelphia Inquirer (11.11.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Don Sapatkin; Philadelphia clergy from more than 100 houses of worship are staging an all-out HIV prevention and education campaign targeting the city s African-American population. Over the next few weeks, clergy have committed to efforts such as discussing HIV in their sermons and hosting HIV testing. Clear Channel Outdoors has do
PENNSYLVANIA: Activists Call on City to Cut AIDS Housing Waiting List: Philadelphia Gay News (11.11.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Jen Colletta; On Wednesday at City Hall, about 60 ACT UP Philadelphia members protested the city s waiting list for AIDS housing. From the beginning of the year to summer, the number of people waiting for city AIDS housing grew by 30 percent to more than 200, ACT UP said. At a Monday meeting with Mayor Michael Nutter, group represen
UNITED STATES: Evaluation of an Innovative Internet-Based Partner Notification Program for Early Syphilis Case Management, Washington, D.C., January 2007-June 2008: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 8: P. 478-485 (08..10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Daniel C. Ehlman, MPH; Marcus Jackson, BA; Gonzalo Saenz, MD; David S. Novak, MSW; Rachel Kachur, MPH; John T. Heath, BA; Bruce W. Furness, MD; In 2000, public health literature anticipated the growing role of the Internet in the transmission of syphilis and other STDs. Among US Internet users, 35 percent have reported using social or professional networking sites, and 5 percent reported going online to meet people. From 2000 to 2004, a few public health and n
GLOBAL: New Lines of Attack in HIV Prevention: New York Times (11.09.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; Clinical trials testing biomedical means to prevent HIV infection during sex are gaining momentum, experts say. Last year, a South African trial found that a tenofovir-based vaginal gel conferred about 40 percent protection against HIV. Even though only partially effective, it was the first method for preventing HIV th
UNITED STATES: Sex, Drugs More Common in Hyper-Texting Teens: Associated Press (11.09.10) - Friday, November 12, 2010; Mike Stobbe; Teens who text more than 120 times per day are more likely to have had sex or used drugs and alcohol than teens who send fewer messages, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Denver. So-called hyper-texters constitute about 20 percent of teens. They
ILLINOIS: AIDS Alliance Seeking Members: Windy City Times (Chicago) (11.10.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; The Illinois Alliance for Sound AIDS Policy is seeking up to five new members. A project of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, ILASAP works to develop and support statewide policy and advocacy leaders. Participants must be willing to engage HIV policy education and advocacy in their area of the state, have access to the I
ILLINOIS: Donor Offers to Match Gifts to Howard Brown Center: Chicago Sun-Times (11.10.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; Monifa Thomas; An anonymous benefactor has pledged up to $100,000 to match donations made through Nov. 30 to the Howard Brown Health Center of Lakeview, Ill. HBHC, one of the nation s largest LGBT health centers, announced last week it needs to raise $500,000 by year s end to remain open. The shortfall is the result of earlier allege
IRELAND: Repeat Viral Testing of IVF Couples Not Needed: Study: Reuters Health (11.05.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; Amy Norton; Running repeat tests for HIV and hepatitis B and C on couples before each cycle of in-vitro fertilization treatment is unnecessary, a new study suggests. The initial screening is enough if the couple reports no new risk factors, according to Drs. Mary Wingfield and Evelyn Cottell of the Merrion Fertility Clinic in Dubl
BANGLADESH: Dose of Vigilance Helps Manage HIV, AIDS: Inter Press Service (11.03.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; Naimul Haq; Despite its proximity to two countries with sizable HIV populations, its low literacy and high poverty rate, and its large migrant community, Bangladesh has managed to stave off an AIDS epidemic. Among Bangladesh s 164 million people, official data show some 1,745 HIV cases. Even including unreported cases, experts bel
MOZAMBIQUE: Brazil's Lula Visits Antiretroviral Plant in Mozambique: Agence France Presse (11.10.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; Wednesday on the outskirts of Maputo, Brazil s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva toured what will become Africa s first public antiretroviral manufacturing plant. When fully operational, the joint project of Brazil and Mozambique will manufacture five different types of ARVs as well as other medicines. The fact
GLOBAL: WHO Says Deadly TB Scourge Preventable: Reuters (11.11.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; Stephanie Nebehay; The World Health Organization said today that an estimated 1.7 million people died from TB worldwide last year, mainly African and Asian adults in their prime. Of the estimated 9.4 million new cases last year, 1.1 million were co-infected with HIV, WHO said. There are still 1.7 million deaths every year from a disease
UNITED STATES: FDA Approves Egrifta, the First Drug to Treat HIV Patients with Lipodystrophy: Los Angeles Times (11.10.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; Thomas H. Maugh II; The Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday approved for the first time a drug to treat lipodystrophy in patients undergoing antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for HIV infection. Lipodystrophy, a condition in which excess fat develops in different areas of the body, is associated with many of the ARVs used to treat HIV.
UNITED STATES: Few Young Women Get Full HPV Vaccine: Study: Reuters Life! (11.10.10) - Thursday, November 11, 2010; A new study finds that only about one-third of eligible young US females complete the human papillomavirus vaccine series. The older a female is, the less likely she is to have received even one of the three injections required for full protection against HPV, the data show. This means that large numbers of teenagers a
UNITED STATES: Correction: CDC Prevention News Update (11.09.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; Yesterday s PNU summary of the BBC News article Clue to How Some Control Their HIV Without Medication incorrectly identified one of the study s lead authors. He is Dr. Bruce Walker of the Ragon Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital.
INDIANA: HIV Conference Set: South Bend Tribune (11.09.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; Putting the Pieces Together, a capacity-building conference for non-profits that serve people with HIV, will be held Thursday and Friday at Ivy Tech Community College in South Bend. Topics will include cultural competency, recruitment and retention, board development, and volunteer management. The free conference is s
CANADA: Grant from Gates Foundation Will Aid Development of Revolutionary New Contraceptive: Ottawa Citizen (11.10.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; An Ottawa scientist has been awarded a $100,000 grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to help develop a vaginal contraceptive that also protects against HIV and other STDs. The recipient is Dr. Nongnuj Tanphaichitr, a senior scientist in reproductive biology at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and a
UNITED STATES: Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing Rates of HIV- Infected Men: Low Despite Guidelines: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 86: P. 481-484 (11..10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; Stephen A. Berry; Khalil G. Ghanem; Kathleen R. Page; Chloe L. Thio; Richard D. Moore; Kelly A. Gebo; Noting that gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) screening for HIV-infected men may decrease HIV transmission and reduce the incidence of pelvic inflammatory disease in female partners, the study authors determined GC/CT testing rates in a clinical HIV cohort before and after 2003, when CDC issued guidelines for GC/CT scr
UNITED STATES: Oral Sex Often a Prelude to Intercourse for Teens: Reuters Health (11.02.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; Lynne Peeples; Students who engage in oral sex within the first two years of high school are much more likely than those who do not to report having vaginal intercourse by the end of 11th grade, a new study suggests. The study involved surveying 627 ninth- grade students in two northern California high schools every six months betwee
KENYA: Text Messaging Joins Africa's War on AIDS: Agence France Presse (11.09.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; A new study led by Richard Lester of the British Columbia Center for Disease Control in Vancouver finds that using text messages to remind HIV patients to take their medicines can boost adherence. Under the WelTel Kenya1 study, Lester and colleagues recruited 538 HIV patients receiving antiretroviral treatment in Kenya
JAPAN: Few Women Taking Free Cancer Tests: Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo) (11.08.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; Less than a quarter of Japanese women given coupons for free cervical and breast cancer exams last fall took up the opportunity, a new report by the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry found. In the last fiscal year, just 21.7 percent of women targeted by the promotion underwent free cervical cancer testing, while 24.1
AUSTRALIA: 'Equal Reduction' Hope for Cervical Cancer: Australian Associated Press (11.09.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; Danny Rose; New genital wart cases among men and women have substantially declined since Australia rolled out its human papillomavirus vaccination program in 2007, according to the first national study of the program. Gardasil protects against four HPV types - two that cause most cervical cancer cases and two that are responsible
UNITED STATES: As HIV Babies Come of Age, Problems Linger: New York Times (11.06.10) - Wednesday, November 10, 2010; Pam Belluck; Although screening and treatment efforts have cut mother-to- child HIV transmissions to about 200 annually in the United States , some 10,000 US patients now living with HIV were infected as infants. Seven agencies of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) are studying 451 of these patients, now ages 7-16, as they gro
NEBRASKA: Next Omaha Science Cafe Focuses on AIDS Research: Associated Press (11.07.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; The next installment of the University of Nebraska Medical Center s Science Cafe - a series of free events aimed at getting young adults interested in science - will explore the latest developments in HIV/AIDS treatment. The featured speaker is Susan Swindells, medical director of UNMC s HIV Clinic. The program will be
TEXAS: Dallas County Health Department Conducting Two-Day HIV Testing Tour at Dallas-Area Colleges: Dallas Morning News (11.08.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Sherry Jacobson; An HIV outreach visited two Dallas-area colleges on Monday and will visit two more on Tuesday. The testing opportunity is sponsored by Dallas County Health and Human Services, Greater than AIDS, and the Black AIDS Institute; it targets young people, particularly black men. BAI President Phill Wilson said the program s
CALIFORNIA: UCSD Tries to Raise Awareness About Hepatitis B: KPBS.org (San Diego) (11.08.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Kenny Goldberg; The University of California-San Diego campus is the focus of a new outreach to raise awareness of hepatitis B, a virus that disproportionately affects people of Asian origin. Although there is no cure for the infection, We do have medications to treat hepatitis B, said Dr. Binh Tran, director of the Asian Pacific Heal
UNITED STATES: Sexual Intercourse and Oral Sex Among Public Middle School Students: Prevalence and Correlates: Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health Vol. 42; No. 3; P. 197-205 (09..10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Christine J. De Rosa and others; Efforts to prevent early sexual debut should begin before sixth grade and last through middle school, suggests the current study involving urban public schools in California. Sex at an early age is associated with increased risk of teen pregnancy and STDs, but little is known about the prevalence and correlates of sexu
UNITED STATES: Clue to How Some 'Control' Their HIV Without Medication: BBC News (11.04.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Caroline Parkinson; Just five amino acids could make the difference between a person who naturally controls HIV and someone who would progress to AIDS if not treated, a new human genome study has found. The research analyzed the genetic makeup of almost 1,000 HIV controllers and 2,600 progressors, finding more than 300 points associated w
CANADA: Warning Issued About Tattoo Parlor's Practices: CTV.ca (11.08.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Toronto Public Health (TPH) officials are recommending that people who received a tattoo from It s Just Body Art over the last year be tested for blood-borne viruses due to concerns about its infection-control practices. HIV and several strains of hepatitis can be transmitted through contaminated tattooing equipment.
EGYPT: Egypt: Hepatitis C Infection Reaches Alarming Figures: Los Angeles Times (11.08.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Amro Hassan; With 9.8 percent of its population infected, Egypt has the world s highest incidence rate for hepatitis C. Health experts and researchers, however, believe the true figure could be as high as 20 percent. A recent study found more than 500,000 new hepatitis C virus infections occur annually in Egypt, primarily due to po
UNITED KINGDOM: New Test Will Diagnose Sexual Diseases via Phones: The Guardian (London) (11.06.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Denis Campbell; Testing for certain STDs might someday be as easy as putting saliva or urine on a small device similar to a pregnancy testing kit, plugging it into a computer or cell phone, and receiving diagnostic information within minutes. The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) and other partners have contributed �4 million (US $6.4
UNITED STATES: FDA Questions Drug Store Tests for Sexually Transmitted Diseases: New York Times (11.05.10) - Tuesday, November 09, 2010; Andrew Pollack; On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration sent a letter warning Identigene that its over-the-counter test to detect chlamydia and gonorrhea has not been approved by the agency. The product is being sold at most Rite Aid stores. Steve Smith, Identigene s executive director, said the company has already responded to
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Census Workers Tote Clipboards and Condoms: Reuters Life! (11.05.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; The agency managing South Africa s 2011 census will issue condoms to its workers before they begin knocking on doors, prompting some critics to ask how the workers will be spending their time. We are not saying that people should have sex on the job, said Trevor Oosterwyk, a spokesperson for Statistics South Africa, no
NEW JERSEY: Community Notes: Jersey Journal (Jersey City) (10.20.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; Ahead of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, New Jersey City University will hold an HIV/AIDS Health Expo on Tuesday, Nov. 16, from noon to 3 p.m. All are welcome at the event, which will feature free and confidential HIV testing, condoms, snacks, and entertainment. The expo will be held on the second floor of the Gilligan Stude
WEST VIRGINIA: Four Cases of Hepatitis A Reported: Charleston Gazette (W.V.) (11.04.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; Four confirmed cases of hepatitis A were diagnosed between Oct. 16 and 24 in Cabell, Jackson, and Wayne counties, according to an alert issued by the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health. Jackson s previous confirmed case was several years ago, said Susan Hosaflook, director of the county Health Department. She added
CALIFORNIA: Porn Actor with HIV Didn't Infect Others: Los Angeles Times (11.06.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; Molly Hennessey-Fiske; The Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM), which diagnosed a porn actor with HIV in October, said Friday that two rounds of testing have turned up no new cases among performers. However, Los Angeles County public health officials declined to sign off on AIM s statement. Sherman Oaks-based AIM, which primar
IRAN: Potential for Sexual Transmission of HIV Infection from Male Injecting-Drug Users Who Have Sex with Men in Tehran, Iran: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 11: P. 715-718 (11.10.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; Saman Zamani; Masako Ono-Kihara; Seiichi Ichikawa; Masahiro Kihara; Iran has responded to the threat of an HIV epidemic among injecting drug users. There is growing concern, however, over the potential for bridging HIV infection from IDUs to other populations, including men who have sex with men, noted the authors of the current study. From 2003 to 2004, cross-sectional biobehavioral
SOUTH AFRICA: Treating TB Means Months of Pills, Intense Monitoring: Agence France Presse (11.13.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; Treating TB in a country facing dual epidemics of TB and HIV requires careful coordination and experienced staffing on the part of public health programs. Each year, more than 300,000 people with HIV contract TB in South Africa , and 110,000 die of the bacterial lung infection. TB treatment takes at least six months an
AUSTRALIA: Chlamydia Test Funds Withdrawn: The Age (Melbourne) (11.05.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; Kate Hagan; A program that collects information on chlamydia testing and diagnoses from a network of about 90 sites countrywide is losing its federal funding. Chlamydia is one of the most common STDs in Australia : Reported cases have quadrupled over the past 10 years. Nearly three-quarters of those affected by chlamydia are under
MOZAMBIQUE: Brazil's Lula to Visit Mozambican Antiretroviral Plant: Agence France Presse (11.07.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; On Tuesday, Brazil s president will make a two-day state visit to Mozambique and tour a facility that will become the first public antiretroviral factory in Africa. President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva conceived of the ARV plant during a state visit to the African nation in 2003. President Lula will visit the site
UNITED STATES: Campaign Launched to Raise Hepatitis B Awareness Among Asian Americans: Asian Reporter (10.01.10) - Monday, November 08, 2010; A new campaign about the epidemic of chronic hepatitis B among Asian Americans seeks to raise awareness and promote testing. It is sponsored by the Office of Minority Health (OMH) in the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Hepatitis B Foundation and the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Or
CANADA: AIDS Caravan Visits City: Metro Vancouver (11.05.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; Sarah N. Fitzgerald; A caravan of African AIDS orphans and grandmothers arrived today in Vancouver, the last stop on a two-month tour of Canada . The AfriGrand Caravan, sponsored by the Stephen Lewis Foundation, is an outreach to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS pandemic s impact on sub-Saharan Africa. Participant Tsabile Victoria Simelane
CARIBBEAN: Singer Etana Joins Caribbean Anti-HIV/AIDS Campaign: Caribbean Today (Miami) (10..10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; The Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership has tapped reggae singer Etana for its outreach to raise HIV/AIDS awareness in the region. Etana recently traveled to Barbados , where she met with organizers and recorded public service announcements that urge people to get tested and protect themselves against HIV. Other infl
GLOBAL: Norway Best, Zimbabwe Worst Places to Live: UN: Reuters (11.04.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; Patrick Worsnip; The UN Development Program on Thursday released its latest human development index, which rated Norway , Australia , and New Zealand as the best countries in the world in which to live. At the other end of the scale were Niger , the
ILLINOIS: Howard Brown Makes Appeal for Funds: Windy City Times (Chicago) (11.05.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; Yasmin Nair; On Thursday, officials at the Howard Brown Health Center, one of the nation s largest LGBT health care organizations, said it could close unless the community helps it raise $500,000 before the end of the year, and another $500,000 next year. Based in Lakeview, Ill., HBHC provides care to more than 6,000 patients, incl
UNITED KINGDOM: Circumcision Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Scotland: Limited Potential for HIV Prevention: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 86: P. 404-406 (10.10.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; Lisa M. McDaid; Helen A. Weiss; Graham J. Hart; Male circumcision has been shown to reduce the risk of HIV acquisition among heterosexual men, but the impact among men who have sex with men is not known, reported the study authors. Their aim was to describe sexual practices by circumcision status, and to explore the feasibility of conducting research on male circumc
CHINA: MAC AIDS Fund Promises More Grants for Anti-AIDS Efforts in Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong: Xinhua News Agency (10.28.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; MAC Cosmetics AIDS charity, the MAC AIDS Fund, has pledged to continue awarding grants that focus on community outreach in mainland China and Hong Kong , fund officials said recently. Since 2002, MAF has donated more than $8 million to AIDS projects in the region, said Andrea Flynn, the fund s
CARIBBEAN: Progress Stalls on HIV/AIDS: Inter Press Service (11.03.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; Peter Richards; A new UNAIDS report shows HIV/AIDS remains the leading cause of death among young and middle-age adults in the Caribbean. And while the region has seen a 40 percent decline in AIDS- related mortality since 2001, half of those who need antiretroviral treatment (ART) cannot access it. The Status of HIV in the Caribbean
CANADA: 170 Patients Tested for HIV and Hepatitis: Edmonton Journal (11.05.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; Jodie Sinnema; Health officials are urging 173 patients who underwent endoscopy procedures at the Hinton Healthcare Center to get tested for HIV and hepatitis after it was discovered that an employee there reused syringes, possibly contaminating medication. Dr. Kathryn Koliaska, medical health officer for Alberta Health Services nor
UNITED STATES: US Supreme Court to Decide Stanford University Patent Case: Contra Costa Times (11.01.10) - Friday, November 05, 2010; Howard Mintz; On Monday, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear an appeal by Stanford University over whether patent rights to federally funded academic research on an HIV diagnostic can be unilaterally terminated by a researcher s side agreement with a third party. The long-running suit involves work that Stanford researcher Mark Holo
OREGON: HIV/AIDS Program Targets Older Women: The Oregonian (Portland) (11.03.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Anne Laufe; Health educator Jacki Gethner will host a party, themed Women of a Certain Age, on Saturday to call attention to the risks of HIV infection for women over 50. Guests will have the opportunity to learn about HIV and other STDs and how to communicate with partners about safer sex. Free HIV testing will be available, alon
WASHINGTON: Seattle Cancer Center to Collaborate with Chinese: Associated Press (10.28.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Under an agreement signed on Oct. 28 in Seattle, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center will collaborate research and training efforts with China s Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2003, doctors and scientists from Seattle and China have worked cooperatively on HIV/AIDS research. The success of thos
CANADA: AIDS Scientist in British Columbia Wins Prestigious Award: CBC News (11.04.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Dr. Julio Montaner, director of Vancouver s B.C. Center for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, has been named the recipient of the World Cultural Council s Albert Einstein World Award of Science. Dr. Montaner has pioneered the lifesaving concept of treatment as prevention, which aims to dramatically increase testing and treatment
UNITED STATES: Early Study Shows HCV Vaccine Works: MedPage Today (11.02.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Michael Smith; Preliminary data show an experimental therapeutic vaccine against hepatitis C virus boosted response rates by 12 percent compared with standard HCV treatment of ribavirin and pegylated interferon, researchers reported at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in Boston. Paul Pokr
CHINA: Experts Say NGOs Play Indisputable Role in Fighting Spread of HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (10.30.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Non-governmental HIV prevention groups targeting men who have sex with men (MSM) mostly operate in a state of legal limbo in China . Without official support and protection, the groups are vulnerable to extortion and violence, and they have trouble raising money and retaining volunteers, advocates and experts say.
SOUTH AFRICA: New One-Roof Policies on TB, HIV/AIDS 'Are Challenging': Business Day (Johannesburg) (11.03.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Tamar Kahn; South Africa s government is seeking to integrate TB and HIV care, since many patients are co-infected. But implementing this new policy is challenging, say public health providers. It s complex, said Dr. Karen Jennings, head of Cape Town municipality s HIV, TB and STD unit. Historically, these programs have been separ
UNITED KINGDOM: UK Tuberculosis Rates Highest in 30 Years: Reuters (11.03.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Kate Kelland; Last year, the United Kingdom recorded 9,040 new TB cases, the highest level in nearly 30 years, the Health Protection Agency said Thursday in its annual TB report. While new drug- resistant TB infections remained low at 1.2 percent of all cases, their number had almost doubled in the past decade, HPA noted. We ar
UNITED STATES: Kids in Tech Age Learn About Sex Early: Miami Herald (10.02.10) - Thursday, November 04, 2010; Julie Landry Laviolette; Kids today spend more than seven hours a day interacting with media, according to a 2010 study by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Thus by the time most moms and dads have the talk about sex, chances are their child has watched someone lose their virginity on prime-time TV, downloaded a vulgar song, or seen simulated sex
NIGERIA: Nigeria Reports Progress in Fighting HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (10.30.10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Speaking Friday at an awareness event in Kogi state, the director-general of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS praised Nigeria s progress against HIV. Nigeria is beginning to win the battle, said John Idoko. At first, we had prevalence that was far above 6 percent, but now we have brought it down to 4.6 perce
AFRICA: Overcrowded Prisons Serve as Incubators for Tuberculosis: Voice of America News (11.02.10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Ricci Shryock; The packed prisons of sub-Saharan Africa are dangerous incubators for TB, according to information presented at a recent conference in Cameroon . Christopher Kuaban, a University of Yaounde researcher, identified overcrowding, promiscuity, malnutrition, poor health care, and bad ventilation all as contributing to the p
SOUTH AFRICA: South African Province to Circumcise Prisoners in Hopes of Halting HIV Spread: Los Angeles Times (10.29.10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Robyn Dixon; KwaZulu-Natal province is offering circumcision to men in its prisons as part of South Africa s campaign to halt HIV transmission. KwaZulu-Natal s health department hopes to circumcise 2.5 million men overall by June 2014, and so far, more than 10,000 men have undergone the procedure, said Dr. Sinbongiseni Dhlomo, the
UNITED STATES: A Parallel Process Growth Mixture Model of Conduct Problems and Substance Use with Risky Sexual Behavior: Drug and Alcohol Dependence Vol. 111; No. 3; P. 207-214 (10..10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Johnny Wu; Katie Witkiewitz; Robert J. McMahon; Kenneth A. Dodge; Conduct Problems Prevention Research Group; Conduct problems, substance use, and risky sexual behavior have been shown to coexist among adolescents, which may lead to significant health problems, explained the study investigators, who sought to examine relations among these problems in a community sample of children at high risk for conduct disorder. A latent g
TANZANIA: 'Being Faithful' in a Sexual Relationship: Perceptions of Tanzanian Adolescents in the Context of HIV and Pregnancy Prevention: AIDS Care Vol. 22; No. 9: P. 1153-1158 (09..10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Joy Noel Baumgartner; Helen Lugina; Laura Johnson; Tumaini Nyamhanga; The B in the ABC HIV prevention strategy stands for being faithful. Little is known, however about what adolescents think about faithfulness and reducing one s number of partners, including their understanding of its implementation within relationships. Because youths face the dual threats of HIV and unintended pregnan
UNITED KINGDOM: Needle-Exchange Plan for Former Nelson Nursing Home: Lancashire Telegraph (10.26.10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Jon Livesey; A syringe-exchange program in Nelson is gaining community support after an earlier proposed site attracted opposition from local business owners. The charity Crime Reduction Initiatives (CRI) wants to convert the former Walverdene Home for the Elderly into a facility offering syringe exchange to heroin users, as well a
CAMBODIA: Access to Drugs a Lifesaver for People with HIV: Inter Press Service (11.01.10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Irwin Loy; Rural HIV patients in Cambodia face unique challenges compared to their urban counterparts. In remote villages, people with HIV often lack basic medical care and encounter disease- related stigma and ignorance from neighbors. There are no HIV/AIDS counselors to talk to about living with the virus. Cambodia offers f
UNITED STATES: A New Resource for LGBT Seniors: New York Times (10.22.10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Paula Span; A social service and advocacy organization for LGBT senior citizens recently launched the online National Resource Center for LGBT Aging. The one-year project by SAGE was underwritten by several foundations and the US Department of Health and Human Services Administration on Aging. Together with 10 other groups, SAGE i
FLORIDA: Florida to Drop 350 Patients in AIDS Drug Program: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Fort Lauderdale) (11.02.10) - Wednesday, November 03, 2010; Bob Lamendola; About 350 uninsured HIV/AIDS patients will be dropped from Florida s AIDS Drug Assistance Program in a month in a cost- cutting move by state health officials. Another 2,000 ADAP patients are at risk of losing treatment coverage unless more funding can be tapped for the program, Florida Department of Health (DOH) offic
MINNESOTA: Hepatitis C Cluster Found in Becker, Mahnomen Counties Possibly Caused by Needle Sharing: Park Rapids Enterprise (11.01.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; Vicki Gerdes; An uptick in hepatitis C cases in Becker and Mahnomen counties has prompted an investigation by the Minnesota Department of Health. The two counties had logged 15 new cases though the end of September, said Ronda Stock, Becker County Community Health supervisor. Since 2008, the counties have recorded 44 cases, and beca
WISCONSIN: Officials Are at a Loss to Explain a Large Increase in the Number of Cryptosporidiosis Cases in Western Wisconsin: St. Paul Pioneer Press (10.31.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; Mclean Bennett, Leader-Telegram; With 19 confirmed cases so far in 2010, Eau Claire County is on track to record its highest number of cryptosporidiosis infections since 2003, when 19 cases were documented for the full year. We can t really explain what the increase is due to, said Richard Thoune, director of the Eau Claire City- County Health Departm
UNITED KINGDOM: Cervical Cancer Test Numbers Down: UK Press Association (10.21.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; The National Health Service Information Center has reported that the number of UK women tested for cervical cancer has declined, prompting fears that the Jade Goody effect may be fading. Goody, a star of the reality program Big Brother, waged a public battle against cervical cancer and eventually died of the disease in
NORTH CAROLINA: Latinos Target Teen Pregnancy: News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (10.24.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; David Bracken; A coalition of Latino groups, including El Pueblo and Ipas, held a two-day youth forum on sex education at the Sheraton Hotel in Chapel Hill Oct. 23-24. North Carolina ranks 14th among states for teen pregnancy, and the rate among Latinos is twice that of whites. Ipas is a reproductive health group, while El Pueblo is
ILLINOIS: Project Alpha Helps Young Men Talk About Sex, Sexuality, Disease: Chicago Tribune (11.01.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; Dawn Turner Trice; On Saturday, the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will sponsor free workshops to mentor young men, including open discussions of sex, sexuality and preventing STDs, and unintended pregnancy. In Chicago and other US cities, APA chapters invite males ages 12-18 to spend the daylong sessions thinking about what they want out of
UNITED STATES: Finding Ways to Help the Youngest with HIV: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (10.05.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; Angela Townsend; The Pediatric AIDS Clinic at University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children s Hospital is conducting what is believed to be the only study on HIV-positive children and cardiovascular disease. Dr. Grace McComsey, chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Rheumatology, and Global Health at Rainbow and a professor at Ca
SOUTH AFRICA: Comparative Effectiveness of HIV Testing and Treatment in Highly Endemic Regions: Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 170; No. 15: P. 1347-1354 (08.09.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; Eran Bendavid, MD, MS; Margaret L. Brandeau, PhD; Robin Wood, MD; Douglas K. Owens, MD, MS; Universal testing and treatment holds promise for reducing the burden of [HIV] in sub-Saharan Africa, but linkage from testing to treatment sites and retention in care are inadequate, according to the study s introduction. The researchers developed an HIV epidemic and disease progression simulation in
SOUTH KOREA: HIV Test Rules for Foreigners to Be Eased: Korea Times (Seoul) (10.25.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; Bae Ji-sook; Ministry of Health and Welfare officials say they plan to submit a bill to the National Assembly that would scrap mandatory HIV testing for foreigners applying for certain visas. Those seeking non-professional work in South Korea on an E-9 visa would no longer have to submit HIV test results or be tested to renew their
MASSACHUSETTS: Judge Grants Injunction vs. New Massachusetts Obscenity Law: Associated Press (10.27.10) - Tuesday, November 02, 2010; Denise Lavoie; A federal judge on Oct. 26 granted a preliminary injunction barring enforcement of a new Massachusetts law concerning electronic communications. The action was brought by free- speech advocates and Internet content providers who argued that the law, which was designed to prevent sexual predators from using electronic c
TEXAS: Lone Star Ride Distributes $150,000 to 3 AIDS Service Organizations During Party at Salum: Dallas Voice (10.26.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; On Oct. 24 at Salum restaurant in Dallas, Lone Star Ride distributed $150,000 to AIDS Services of Dallas, the AIDS Outreach Center and Resource Center Dallas. This disease doesn t have an economic cycle, said Ralph Randall, the ride s single biggest fundraiser. Always ask, he said of his efforts, which pulled in twice
CALIFORNIA: Walgreens Stores Raise $15,000 for AIDS Walk: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (10.31.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; Debra Gruszecki; K. Kaufmann; Mike Perrault; The 23rd annual AIDS Walk & 5K Run in Palm Springs on Oct. 23 attracted about 1,000 participants and took in $226,000 for the Desert AIDS Project. Included in that total was $15,000 raised by employees in Walgreens local 28-store district. Walgreens has three specialty stores that work with HIV, so they see the nee
MARYLAND: Non-Profit to Share Teen Pregnancy Prevention Message with Boys and Girls: Baltimore Sun (10.26.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; Liz F. Kay; The West Baltimore non-profit Women Accepting Responsibility has received $4 million from the US Department of Health and Human Services to provide a teen pregnancy prevention program for girls and boys. Both are going to be getting the tools to make different choices, said Bernice Tucker, WAR s founder and executive d
UNITED STATES: Black Patients Fare Well on Vertex Hepatitis C Drug: Reuters (10.30.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; Bill Berkrot; In a Phase III study, Vertex Pharmaceutical Inc. s experimental hepatitis C drug telaprevir boosted sustained viral response rates among black patients, suggest data presented to the 61st annual meeting of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases in Boston. Among black patients taking telaprevir with st
CHINA: A New Class of Chinese Escorts: Los Angeles Times (10.21.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; Megan K. Stack; Women in universities and aspiring professionals looking to advance themselves amid China s economic boom are increasingly turning to sex work, advocates and academics in Beijing say. This semester, at least two universities have banned students from working as escorts and mistresses. Years ago, when people heard someb
KENYA: UNICEF Rolls Out Innovative Way to Prevent Mother-to- Child HIV Transmission in Kenya: Xinhua News Agency (10.29.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; On Friday, Kenyan and UNICEF officials debuted the Mother- Baby Pack, a new approach to preventing mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) in the east African nation. The kit of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and antibiotics is designed to allow women to easily administer medicines at home, the experts said. Under the Mais
NEW ZEALAND: Facebook Blamed for Vaccine Woes: Taranaki Daily News (New Plymouth) (10.28.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; Esther Taunton; Slow uptake of a government-funded human papillomavirus (HPV) immunization program and a subsequent unsuccessful catch-up effort may be due in part to the lack of marketing on social networking sites, said Dr. Peter Catt, deputy chair of the Taranaki District Health Board. Two years ago, the board launched a catch-up H
UNITED STATES: US Panel Debates Value of HPV Vaccine for Boys: New York Times (10.29.10) - Monday, November 01, 2010; Gardiner Harris; On Thursday, CDC s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) discussed several topics relating to human papillomavirus vaccination. In addition to data on uptake, the committee reviewed whether HPV vaccination of males is cost- effective and should be recommended. Merck s Gardasil, the only HPV vaccine approv
HAWAII: No New Cases of Active TB Found at High School: Associated Press (10.29.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; TB testing at Honolulu s McKinley High School, where a student was diagnosed with an active case of the disease in September, has turned up no new active infections, according to the state health department. The initial evaluation of more than 80 percent of the 197 potentially exposed students and staff has been comple
NEW YORK: Officials: Student Has Tuberculosis: Newsday (Melville) (10.29.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; John Valenti; Sophia Chang; School officials have informed the parents of Glen Cove High School students that a pupil there has been diagnosed with TB. Interim Schools Superintendent Joseph A. Laria said the student is hospitalized and not attending school. The student s doctor contacted the Nassau County Health Department, which informed the sch
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Groups Promote 2012 Global AIDS Conference: Washington Blade (10.29.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; The 19th International AIDS Conference will be held in July 2012 in Washington, and on Tuesday the AIDS 2012 D.C. Community Coalition held a City Hall reception to promote grassroots participation in the event. Elly Katabira of Uganda , president-elect of the International AIDS Society and chair of the Conference Coord
NEW MEXICO: Who Should Teach Teens About Safe Sex?: Daily Times (Farmington) (10.24.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; Ryan Boetel; Figures from the New Mexico Department of Health s Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey show about 43 percent of San Juan County teenagers report having had sex, compared to 48 percent for the state overall. However, San Juan students who are sexually active are less likely to use contraception compared to teenagers statew
CALIFORNIA: Latino Religious Leaders Confront HIV/AIDS Stigmas at L.A. Conference: The Edge (Boston) (10.27.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; Megan Barnes; The fourth annual Latinos, Faith, Culture, HIV and Mental Health Conference, held on Oct. 25 in downtown Los Angeles, drew 175 participants who discussed topics including drug use and the needs of LGBT youth. The conference, funded by CDC and other public health agencies and organized by The Wall Las Memorias Project,
UNITED STATES: Accelerated Hepatitis B Vaccination Schedule Among Drug Users: A Randomized Controlled Trial: J of Infect Diseases Vol. 202: P. 1500-1509 (10.11.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; Lu-Yu Hwang and others; Accelerating the vaccination schedule for hepatitis B virus can increase the number of injection drug users (IDUs) who receive all three doses of HBV vaccine, according to the authors of the current study. The randomized controlled trial was conducted by the Drugs, AIDS, STDs and Hepatitis (DASH) project among current
AFRICA: The MTV Drama Raising HIV Awareness in Africa: CNN.com (10.16.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; Tom Hayes; Debuting last year, an MTV soap opera set and filmed in Nairobi, Kenya , follows a group of students in the era of AIDS. The bold, cutting-edge style of Shuga distinguishes it from many other television shows in Africa, and its non- preachy reflections of modern life have won it a young following across the continent.
UNITED STATES: ACIP Delays Vote on Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine for Diabetes: Endocrine Today (10.28.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; CDC s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices is seeking more information on whether to recommend hepatitis B virus vaccination to all adults with diabetes as soon as possible after diagnosis. Mark Sawyer, MD, chair of ACIP s 25-person Hepatitis Working Group, said the vote has been delayed because it is a complic
UNITED STATES: Obama Administration Launches a Sex Education Program: Washington Post (10.28.10) - Friday, October 29, 2010; Rob Stein; Last month, the Department of Health and Human Services awarded $75 million to 75 groups to reproduce 28 sex education programs that have proven effective through rigorous evaluation. In addition, HHS gave $35 million to 40 groups that will test innovative strategies that hold promise for preventing teen pregnancies. G
CALIFORNIA: Despite Arrests, Allen Temple Plans to Return to Zimbabwe: SFGate.com (San Francisco) (10.27.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; In Oakland Blog; It has been just five weeks since they were released from jail in Zimbabwe , but already four members of the AIDS ministry at Oakland s Allen Temple Baptist Church are planning their return to the southern African nation. The advocates blamed their arrest and four-day detention on a misunderstanding. A court cleared
SWITZERLAND: Swiss Catholics Hand Out Condoms in AIDS Campaign: Agence France Presse (10.27.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; Defying Vatican policy, Lucerne s Roman Catholic Church this week undertook an effort to distribute 3,000 condoms as part of an HIV/AIDS awareness campaign. By Wednesday, about 400 condoms had been handed out in front of the main railway station to persons who requested them. The remaining condoms will be offered to pa
CANADA: Saskatchewan Safe Injections: Canadian Press (10.25.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; The Prince Albert City Council on Monday rejected a proposal to launch a safe injection site for the city s intravenous drug users. Robyn Hueser and Emily Frost, both fourth-year nursing students at First Nations University-Saskatchewan, spoke in support of the idea, noting that Prince Albert s rates of HIV/AIDS and he
PENNSYLVANIA: AIDS, HIV Still a Big Problem in Philadelphia, Witnesses at City Council Hearing Say: Philadelphia Inquirer (10.28.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; Tom Avril; On Wednesday at a meeting of the Philadelphia City Council s Committee on Public Health and Human Services, Health Commissioner Donald F. Schwarz said the city s HIV infection rate of 114 new cases per 100,000 people is five times the national average. The committee is seeking answers to the city s continuing high rate
AUSTRALIA: Does the Frequency of HIV and STI Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Primary Care Adhere with Australian Guidelines?: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 86: P. 371-376 (10..10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; R. Guy and others; Guidelines in Australia recommend that all men who have sex with men be tested annually for HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Testing every three to six months is recommended for MSM defined by behavioral criteria as being at higher risk. In the current study, the authors assessed HIV and STI retesting rat
AUSTRALIA: Fears for Aborigines in Spread of HIV: Sydney Morning Herald (10.21.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; Amy Corderoy; HIV is increasingly being spread among indigenous Australians by injection drug users (IDUs), according to a presentation at the recent Australasian HIV/AIDS conference in Sydney. At least one indigenous HIV researcher, however, challenged this interpretation. Twenty percent of HIV infections among indigenous Australia
SWITZERLAND: Swiss Drug Policy Should Serve as Model: Experts: Reuters (10.25.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; Stephanie Nebehay; Switzerland s pragmatic response to drug use provides an example to the rest of the world, health experts were told Monday in Geneva. The nation s approach is detailed in a new report, From the Mountaintops: What the World Can Learn from Drug Policy Change in Switzerland, by the Open Society Foundations. Switzerland s
UNITED STATES: US Details Strategies to Combat HIV, AIDS: News Journal (Wilmington) (10.22.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; Kelly Bothum; The Obama administration s plans to counter the US HIV epidemic were highlighted when James Albino, a senior program manager for the Office of National AIDS Policy, met with members of the Delaware HIV Planning Council on Oct. 21. Albino helped draft the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which the White House introduced in J
UNITED STATES: Groups Moving Forward to Develop AIDS Gel: Reuters (10.27.10) - Thursday, October 28, 2010; Maggie Fox; Several groups working to develop a gel to protect women from HIV reported favorable results from a meeting last week with the US Food and Drug Administration. The developers said FDA informed them it would require only limited new data about the product s safety and efficacy before considering whether to license it.
RHODE ISLAND: HIV, Alcohol Topic for Brown Study: Providence Journal-Bulletin (10.24.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; Brown University will use a five-year, $7.5 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to establish the Brown Alcohol Research Center on HIV. Center researchers will conduct a three-year study examining changes in brain structure, metabolism, and cognitive functioning of HIV- positive persons who are light or
CANADA: Patients Not Infected After Tests with Dirty Equipment: Health Authority: Canadian Press (10.21.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; No patients who underwent testing were found to have contracted viruses as a result of unsanitary endoscopy equipment at Victoria General Hospital, the Vancouver Island Health Authority has reported. VIHA notified 463 patients in April that procedures conducted between June 2008 and January 2010 may have exposed them t
MISSOURI: MSU Officials Promote HPV Vaccine for Men: Shots for Common STD Available at Discount for Students: News-Leader (Springfield) (10.21.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; Sarah Okeson; Missouri State University health officials are urging male students to take advantage of the low-cost human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine the school is offering. Under a grant from the Missouri Foundation for Health, the school is offering the HPV vaccine at $20 a dose for students; the vaccine is administered in three
CALIFORNIA: Needle Exchange Activists Can't Use a Health Defense: Modesto Bee (10.26.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; Merrill Balassone; A Stanislaus County judge will not allow two activists to cite public health issues when they stand trial in March for operating an unauthorized syringe-exchange program (SEP). In April 2009, undercover officers said they caught Kristy Tribuzio and Brian Robinson handing out clean syringes and collecting dirty ones in
NEW YORK: City Restores HIV/AIDS Cut: Wall Street Journal (10.23.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; Michael Howard Saul; The administration of Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently agreed to reverse most of a $1.88 million cut to housing programs for New York residents with HIV/AIDS. The restoration of three- quarters of the funding comes four months after the mayor and the City Council finalized the $63 billion budget for the fiscal year beg
CANADA: Impact of Social Support on Cognitive Symptom Burden in HIV/AIDS: AIDS Care Vol. 22; No. 7: P. 793-802 (07..10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; Jana H. Atkins; Sarah L. Rubenstein; Teresa L. Sota; Sergio Rueda; Haile Fenta; Jean Bacon; Sean B. Rourke; Up to 50 percent of people living with HIV/AIDS report cognitive difficulties, which can be associated with depression and objective neuropsychological impairments. Previous studies have shown an association between stronger social support and lower rates of depression. In the current study, the authors used a cross-se
UNITED STATES: Study Reveals Risky Sex Behavior Among NYC Teens: Associated Press (10.25.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; Karen Matthews; Almost one in 10 sexually active New York City high school students have had at least one same-sex partner, and males with both same-sex and opposite-sex partners reported the lowest levels of condom use, according to a new analysis of the 2005-2007 New York City Youth Risk Behavior Surveys. The city YRBS was administe
ROMANIA: Eve of an HIV Epidemic in Romania: Time Magazine (09.20.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; William Lee Adams; Eastern Europe and central Asia have the world s fastest- growing HIV epidemic, and experts say injecting drug use largely is to blame. Regional HIV prevalence has grown 66 percent since 2001 and now stands at 1.5 million people, according to UNAIDS . The only difference between eastern Europe and Africa is time, said
UNITED STATES: Cell Users Dialing Up Sex Advice on Phone: Chicago Tribune (10.22.10) - Wednesday, October 27, 2010; On any particular day, more people are searching for health- related information using Google than are asking the advice of doctors, says Dr. Roni Zeiger, the web search engine s chief health strategist. What amazes me is how much and how many people are looking for health information, Zeiger. As a physician, it s over
DELAWARE: Program Targeting Teen Pregnancy in Wilmington: Associated Press (10.22.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; A newly announced five-year, $2.9 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services will be used to bring the Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program to Wilmington s West End Neighborhood House. Targeting youths ages 13 to 19, the effort will offer sex education classes, medical and mental healt
MALAYSIA: Combating TB Still a Challenge: Malaysian Official: Xinhua News Agency (10.12.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; TB continues to pose a formidable obstacle to public health in Malaysia , the nation s health minister told reporters in Putrajaya on the sidelines of the recent 61st Session of the World Health Organization for the Western Pacific. Liow Tiong Lai said that in line with UN Millennium Development Goals, Malaysia had bro
CANADA: Glaxo Cuts Cervarix Price by 30 Percent in Canada: Reuters (10.25.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; Ben Hirschler; British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline announced Monday it is cutting the cost of Cervarix by 30 percent in Canada . The list price of the vaccine, which protects against the human papillomavirus strains that cause most cases of cervical cancer, was cut from $134.95 (US $132) to $90 (US $87.63) per dose; three doses are re
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Sex Industry Did Not See World Cup Boom: Reuters Life! (10.22.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; South Africa s HIV/AIDS rate is among the world s highest, and when the nation hosted the June-to-July 2010 World Cup, experts feared a boom in commercial sex and further transmission of the virus. A new study, however, suggests this was not the case. There were not significantly more clients seen per sex worker during
TENNESSEE: Outreach Program, Hotline Link HIV-Positive Residents with Needed Services: Commercial Appeal (Memphis) (10.21.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; Barbara Bradley; With direct federal funding, the Shelby County Ryan White program was formed in 2008 to address the area s high rate of new HIV/AIDS cases. Memphis and the eight surrounding counties average 450 new cases each year. Of the region s 7,156 people living with HIV, more than 80 percent are African American. Since an estima
WISCONSIN: 'Opt-In' Sex Classes Draw Warning: Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel (10.22.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; Becky Vevea; In a recent letter to Cedarburg School District officials, the state Department of Public Instruction warned that CSD may be flouting Wisconsin s sex education law. That recently passed law requires districts that teach sex education to offer a comprehensive curriculum, including information about contraception. Over t
EUROPE; UNITED STATES: Virus that Causes Genital Warts Linked to Oral Cancer: Study: Agence France Presse (10.13.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; A new study suggests human papillomavirus (HPV) could be behind a rise in oropharyngeal (head and neck) squamous cell cancer cases in the United States and in some northern European countries, and that changing sexual behaviors could be the reason. Citing previous research and using the Swedish Cancer Registry, Torbjor
IVORY COAST: Villagers in Ivory Coast Attacked as Election Nears: Associated Press (10.23.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; Artis Henderson; A new Human Rights Watch (HRW) report finds the rule of law has all but disintegrated in the western provinces of Ivory Coast , with gang rape, banditry, and assault commonplace. Afraid and Forgotten: Lawlessness, Rape, and Impunity in Western Cote d Ivoire details the routine attacks to which people livin
CALIFORNIA: Health Advocates, Porn Actors Meet: Los Angeles Times (10.26.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; Lee Romney; State officials on Monday held a fourth public meeting to discuss workplace protections and regulatory scrutiny of the adult-film industry. Late last year, the Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) petitioned California s Occupational Health and Safety Administration (Cal/OSHA) to amend its regulations in
UNITED STATES: Colorado Transplant Patient Infected with AIDS Virus: Denver Post (10.23.10) - Tuesday, October 26, 2010; Kyle Glazier; On Friday, CDC said the first reported US HIV transmission through blood products in eight years occurred in 2008, in a Colorado kidney transplant patient. An unidentified Missouri man in his 40s supplied the blood plasma that infected the patient. According to CDC, on his first visit to donate blood, the man concealed
CALIFORNIA: HIV/AIDS and Aging Workshop: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.21.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; A workshop entitled An Emerging Issue: HIV/AIDS and Aging, a Report of the Joint Workshop on HIV and Aging, will be presented Thursday, Oct. 28, at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St., San Francisco. The LGBT Community Partnership is sponsoring the meeting; Randy Allgaier, director of the HIV Health Services Pla
PENNSYLVANIA: Miss America: 'Good Choices' Key: Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (10.14.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; Caressa Cameron, Miss America 2010, spoke recently to about two dozen Pittsburgh school girls at a downtown conference staged by the non-profit Educating Teens About HIV/AIDS. Cameron asked the girls to count off and stand up as she gave statistics indicating their likelihood of contracting STDs, including HIV. Is that
CHINA: China Earmarks 800 Million Yuan for Mother-to-Child Transmission Prevention: Xinhua News Agency (10.21.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; China this year designated more than 800 million yuan (US $120 million) for efforts to prevent mother-to-baby transmission of HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis B virus, according to Ministry of Health sources. This is a 10-fold increase above the figure budgeted for 2009, which addressed only mother-to-baby HIV transmissi
CALIFORNIA: HIV Tests Negative for Porn Actors Who Performed with 'Patient Zero': Los Angeles Times (10.22.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; Steve Marble; HIV tests conducted on the co-workers of an adult-film actor diagnosed with the virus in October have discovered no new infections, the co-founder of Vivid Entertainment told the Los Angeles Times on Friday. We can confirm that all performers who have been tested as a result of being exposed have tested negative, said
AUSTRALIA: Teen Mums 'Compound' Disadvantage: Australian Associated Press (10.19.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; Danny Rose; Health care providers working with first-time teen moms might want to consider advising some to use contraceptives that are long-acting, according to a study of teen mothers in Western Australia . The prospective study s participants were 147 teens who had given birth for the first time. Researchers examined the determ
UGANDA: Teens with HIV Prefer Religion to ARVs: New Vision (Kampala) (10.13.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; Observers say some HIV-positive Ugandan teenagers are abandoning their antiretroviral treatment, believing religion can cure them of the virus. Baylor College of Medicine s Children s Foundation Uganda treats more than 4,000 HIV-positive children, 750 of whom are teenagers. Over the years, a growing trend of adolescent
KENYA: Vihiga Sees Success with Men's Anti-AIDS Clinic: Inter Press Service (10.18.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; Isaiah Espisu; As a way to improve outcomes, some clinics in Kenya are encouraging males to accompany their female partners to programs that aim to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT). For two years now ... we give special treatment to all men who accompany their wives to either pre[natal] or postnatal clinics, said Mar
CANADA: Most Young Women Not Protected Against HPV: CTV.ca (10.21.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; In Canada , nine out of 10 women ages 18-25 have not been vaccinated against the human papillomavirus types that cause most cases of cervical cancer, according to a new Leger Marketing poll conducted for GlaxoSmithKline , which makes the vaccine Cervarix. Among 1,061 women surveyed, 68 percent cited insufficient in
MASSACHUSETTS: Groups Challenge Obscenity Law Scope: Associated Press (10.20.10) - Monday, October 25, 2010; Denise Lavoie; A new Massachusetts law designed to prevent sexual predators from using electronic communications to lure minors is too broad, free speech advocates and Internet content providers told a federal judge on Oct. 19. The law effectively bans content that may be considered harmful to minors, including material that adults h
ILLINOIS: Southern Illinois AIDS Walk: Windy City Times (Chicago) (10.20.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; More than 200 people turned out in Carbondale Saturday for the Southern Illinois AIDS Walk, raising nearly $8,000 for the Southern Illinois AIDS Holiday Project. The outreach assists about 150 low-income AIDS-affected households in 19 counties by providing groceries, toys, clothes, and gift cards. Organizers noted that
GEORGIA: Thousands Take Part in AIDS Walk: Project Q Atlanta (10.20.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Matt Hennie; Sunday s 20th Annual AIDS Walk Atlanta & 5K Run attracted more than 8,000 registered participants to Piedmont Park, and organizers hope its take totals $900,000. The event raises funds for AID Atlanta and nine other groups. Speakers included Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.), a longtime advocate on HIV and LGBT issues. We mu
CALIFORNIA: AIDS Walk Spirits Up, Donations Down: WeHo News (West Hollywood) (10.19.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Numerous politicians and celebrities were among the 30,000 people taking part in the 26th Annual AIDS Walk Los Angeles. The walk raised about $2.8 million, compared to $3.15 million last year and $4 million in 2008; the funds benefit AIDS Project Los Angeles. Executive Director Craig Thompson said competition from the
CANADA: Health Unit Probes TB Cases: Guelph Tribune (10.19.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health is awaiting results from a second round of TB testing conducted after the discovery, in August, of two active cases in northern Wellington County. After eight weeks, it s standard procedure to retest anyone who may have previously tested negative for TB and was exposed to a case
MONTANA: Helena School Board OK's Revised Sex Education Plan: Associated Press (10.13.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Matt Gouras; Helena school district trustees voted 6-3 on Oct. 12 in favor of a revised sex education curriculum. School officials first proposed the plan last summer, but it was quickly withdrawn due to complaints that it was too graphic and too detailed. Under the new version, officials removed plans to teach first-graders that p
WASHINGTON: Team Readies TB Vaccine Booster for Human Tests: Seattle Times (10.14.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Sandi Doughton; Seattle scientists have developed an experimental booster vaccine that could extend the efficacy of the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine. BCG vaccine is administered in many countries where TB prevalence is high in order to prevent serious forms of TB in children; however, its effectiveness wears off between ages
CANADA: Hepatitis C Virus Can Damage Brain Cells: Edmonton Journal (10.06.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Sarah O'Donnell; Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can damage not only the liver but also the brain, according to a new Canadian study. It has been a question for a long time, said study co-author Pornpun Vivithanaporn, a post-doctoral fellow in the University of Alberta s Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry. It proves the virus has implications o
UNITED STATES: TB Cases Decline, but Drug-Resistant TB Now a Risk: Baltimore Sun (09.28.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Meredith Cohn; Prevention and treatment efforts have been successful at driving down tuberculosis rates in the United States , but the nation now may be more vulnerable to multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB), according to a new study. Dr. David Bishai, of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, and colleagues used computer m
AFRICA: Southern Africa Life Expectancy Rising Slightly: UN: Reuters (10.21.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; Patrick Worsnip; A new UN report finds that an AIDS-related drop in life expectancy in southern Africa during the 1990s may have leveled out, though women in the region continue to be hardest-hit by the epidemic. The report, The World s Women 2010, finds that women comprise the majority of HIV-positive adults in sub-Saharan Africa, as
UNITED STATES: FDA Warns of Heart Risk with HIV Drug Combination: Associated Press (10.21.10) - Friday, October 22, 2010; The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday announced that Invirase (saquinavir) labeling has been changed to warn of potentially life-threatening heart rhythm abnormalities when the HIV drug is used in combination with Norvir ( ritonavir ).
ALABAMA: Aletheia House Gets $1.5 Million Grant: Birmingham News (10.07.10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; The US Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a five-year, $1.5 million grant to Birmingham s Aletheia House to provide substance abuse and HIV prevention services to 1,200 men released from the city jail. One of our primary goals will be to help these men get a job and pay their court fees so they can sta
ILLINOIS: University of Illinois at Chicago Gets $7 Million Grant to Study HIV in Inmates: Associated Press (10.21.10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; Researchers at UIC will use a new $7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to identify better ways to diagnose and treat HIV-infected inmates at state prisons and the Cook County Jail. At present, HIV tests are not a required part of standard medical exams for incoming prisoners. With the grant, the corr
PENNSYLVANIA: ActionAIDS Sued for Privacy Violation: Philadelphia Gay News (10.08.10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; Timothy Cwiek; On Oct. 20, a three-member arbitration panel was scheduled to hear a privacy rights case against the largest AIDS service provider in the state. An HIV-positive woman is suing ActionAIDS, claiming her privacy rights were violated when a receptionist allegedly discussed her HIV status with others without her permission.
TENNESSEE: Pregnancy Hits Home for Memphis City Schools Officials: Commercial Appeal (Memphis) (10.19.10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; Jane Roberts; On Monday, the MCS board agreed to determine the scope of teen pregnancy in the district, share the information with community groups, and ensure that district-endorsed sex education courses offered are actually taught. About 50 Memphis organizations have mobilized to fight teen pregnancy, and many of their representat
AUSTRALIA: National Survey of General Practitioners' Experience of Delivering the National Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Program: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 3: P. 291-298 (08..10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; Julia M.L. Brotherton; Julie Leask; Cath Jackson; Kirsten McCaffery; Lyndal J. Trevena; Between 2007 and 2009, general practitioners in Australia were involved in implementing a population-based HPV vaccination program. The authors of the current study investigated the GPs experiences delivering the HPV vaccine to women ages 18 to 26. A survey, informed by 12 domains incorporating constructs from psycholo
SOUTH AFRICA: 'Find New Ways to Finance AIDS Fight': Business Day (Johannesburg) (10.19.10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; Tamar Kahn; Given long-term concerns about the sustainability of external funding of South Africa s HIV/AIDS efforts, the government should reach out to the private sector to find new ways to finance this work, the head of the South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS said Monday. Coalition CEO Brad Mears noted that the worldwi
CALIFORNIA: California HIV/AIDS Groups Decry State Budget Cuts: Edge Los Angeles (10.13.10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; Peter Cassels; California HIV/AIDS service providers say a big cut in state AIDS funding will have dire consequences. In exercising his line-item veto power, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Oct. 8 cut nearly $1 billion from the $87.5 billion state budget, including almost $60 million in AIDS funding. The $7.6 million in cuts to the AID
UNITED STATES: Teen Birth Rates Highest in Southern States: Reuters (10.20.10) - Thursday, October 21, 2010; Julie Steenhuysen; In 2008, the US teen birth rate fell to 41.5 per 1,000 females ages 15-19 from 42.5 per 1,000 in 2007, according to new preliminary national data. US teen birth rates have declined each year since 1991, with the exception of increases between 2005 and 2007, CDC s National Center for Health Statistics reported Wednesday
CALIFORNIA: Palm Springs AIDS Walk & 5K Run: Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (10.08.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; The Palm Springs AIDS Walk & 5K Run, which benefits the client services programs of the Desert AIDS Project, will be held this Saturday, Oct. 23. The fundraiser takes place in Ruth Hardy Park, 700 Tamarisk, with registration beginning at 8 a.m. and the walk/run at 10 a.m. For more information, telephone 760-323-211
SOUTH AFRICA: Condoms Star in a Sex Film with a Message: New York Times (10.19.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; Filming of South Africa s first all-black pornographic movie has been completed, and condoms have a starring role. Tau Morena said the film - entitled Mapona, or naked in the Sotho language - has a gentle message about safe sex because many younger people in the nation still have a negative attitude towards condoms. T
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa State Workers Agree Formal End to Strike: Reuters (10.19.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; Jon Herskovitz; An agreement announced Tuesday will bring an official end to a public workers strike that closed schools and wreaked havoc in hospitals across South Africa . The unions that will sign from today constitute a majority, said Chris Klopper, a spokesperson for the Independent Labor Caucus Federation. Unions had sought an 8
CALIFORNIA: Cal State-Long Beach Gets Grant to Study Faster HIV, Syphilis, Hepatitis C Tests: Press-Telegram (Long Beach) (10.04.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; Kelly Puente; The National Institute on Drug Abuse recently awarded California State University-Long Beach a four-year, $1.7 million grant to study experimental rapid tests for HIV, hepatitis C, and syphilis. The project will assess the accuracy and acceptability of the tests among groups at high risk of HIV infection, data that cou
CALIFORNIA: Porn Actor's HIV Test Results Officially Reported to County: Los Angeles Times (10.19.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; Jill Jones; Molly Hennessy-Fiske; Following calls from the county s top health official and AIDS activists, the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) late Tuesday officially confirmed an HIV-positive test result to the Los Angeles County Public Health Department (LACPHD). Staff at the Sherman Oaks-based AIM conducted a PCR-DNA test for HIV
GLOBAL: Global Reduction of Cervical Cancer with Human Papillomavirus Vaccines: Insights from the Hepatitis B Virus Vaccine Experience: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 3: P. 383-390 (08..10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; Margaret E. Heffernan; Suzanne M. Garland; Mark A. Kane; The authors introduced this study by noting that worldwide, prophylactic vaccines against two major human cancers are now available commercially. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccines, which were first licensed in 1982, protect against primary hepatocellular carcinoma. Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, which were first l
CANADA: Van Patrol Helps Vancouver Sex Workers Access Drug Treatment: Study: Canadian Press (10.13.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; Tamsyn Burgmann; An outreach targeting female sex workers in Vancouver s Downtown Eastside is making inroads, a new study finds. Prostitutes who interact with the mobile van s staff of former sex workers are four times more likely to enter detox programs. The Mobile Access Project, or MAP van, operates seven nights a week between 10:30
GLOBAL: UN Report Sheds Light on Rape as Weapon of War: Agence France Presse (10.20.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; A UN Population Fund (UNFPA) report released today says sexual violence is being used increasingly as a weapon of war - and women are paying the price. Conflict in today s world is less about soldiers fighting on the battlefield and more about breaking the will of civilians, concludes the 116-page report, an annual sna
UNITED STATES: Is Homophobia a Factor in HIV Racial Gap?: Reuters Health (10.16.10) - Wednesday, October 20, 2010; Amy Norton; In the United States , perceptions about homosexuality differ greatly by race, which may partly explain disparities in HIV infection rates between black and white men who have sex with men (MSM), a new study suggests. Researchers used data from the General Social Survey to describe race-specific trends in attitudes abo
ARKANSAS: Correction: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (10.16.10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; The newspaper s report, State Cuts Off AIDS Group from Grants [summarized in Prevention News Update on Oct. 15], included incorrect information about the effective dates of two CDC grants to Brotha s and Sista s of Little Rock. The group s AIDS prevention grant runs from March 1, 2010, to Dec. 31, 2010. Its syphilis pr
HAWAII: About 200 Students, Staff to Be Tested for TB: Associated Press (10.19.10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; The news that a student at McKinley High has been diagnosed with active TB prompted authorities plans to test some 200 students and staff today at the Honolulu school. Dr. Richard Brostrom, chief of the TB Control Branch in the state Department of Health, said many hours of close, indoor contact are needed for TB to be
SWEDEN: Sweden Bans Chinese-Made Condoms: United Press International (10.13.10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; Sweden s Medical Products Agency said recently that because the Chinese manufacturers of PutOn brand condoms had not met European Union safety certification standards, the products cannot be sold in Sweden. No freestanding organization has examined the product, so no one knows if the condoms comply with standards, inve
PENNSYLVANIA: Why Friends in Deed Is a Shop in Need: Philadelphia Inquirer (10.17.10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; Kevin Riordan; HIV activists are lamenting the impending closing of a Philadelphia thrift store that for decades has been a sanctuary for those affected by the disease. It s such a hurt in my heart, you have no idea, said Ruth Levy, an 87-year-old Moorestown resident who helped found Friends in Deed after her son Kenneth died of AIDS
ILLINOIS: Event Spotlights HIV/AIDS and Black Gay, Bisexual Youth: Windy City Times (Chicago) (10.06.10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; Mason Harrison; Art of Protection, a Sept. 29 event sponsored by the Chicago Black Gay Men s Caucus (CBGMC), showcased the talents of youths from across the city who incorporated HIV/AIDS prevention messages into their art. Conceived to spotlight the spread of the virus among young black men who have sex with men, the event featured
UNITED STATES: Connecting Discovery and Delivery: The Need for More Evidence on Effective Smoking Cessation Strategies for People Living with HIV/AIDS: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 7: P. 1245- 1249 (07..10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; Jenine K. Harris, PhD; Compared to the general population s smoking rate of 19.8 percent, smoking prevalence among people with HIV/AIDS is two to three times higher. The author of the current study cited discovery research showing that smokers with HIV/AIDS are more likely to be nonadherent to treatment, have a greater chance of being diagno
GLOBAL: Smoking-Related Health Risks Among Persons with HIV in the Strategies for Management of Antiretroviral Therapy Clinical Trial: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 10: P. 1896- 1903 (10..10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; Alan R. Lifson, MD, MPH; Jacqueline Neuhaus, MS; Jose Ramon Arribas, MD; Mary van den Berg-Wolf, MD; Ann M. Labriola, MD; Timothy R.H. Read, MBBS; and the INSIGHT SMART Study Group; Smoking prevalence is higher among HIV-positive persons than among the general population. In the current study, the researchers sought to determine smoking-related hazard ratios (HRs) and population-attributable risk (PAR) percentage for serious clinical events and death among HIV-positive persons. For 5,472 HIV-posit
CUBA: Ten Years Fighting HIV/AIDS and Reaching Out to Gays: Inter Press Service (10.12.10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; Dalia Acosta; When a Cuban project to prevent HIV among men who have sex with men began 10 years ago, it was breaking new territory. MSM in Cuba were socially marginalized at the time of its first HIV/AIDS diagnosis in 1986, and the island s compulsory quarantine of those infected lasted into the early 1990s. Among other challenges,
UNITED STATES: Fed OKs Vivitrol to Treat Heroin, Narcotic Addictions: USA Today (10.13.10) - Tuesday, October 19, 2010; Rita Rubin; A treatment already in use to treat alcoholism has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration to fight addiction to heroin and prescription narcotic painkillers. Vivitrol offers several advantages over the opioids, methadone, and buprenorphine, typically used to treat narcotic addiction. It is delivered by month
CALIFORNIA: Orange County Ride for AIDS Raises Almost $65,000: Orange County Register (10.14.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; Jeffrey Antenore; The Inaugural Orange County Ride for AIDS on Saturday raised almost $65,000. Cyclists could choose a 100-mile, 62.5-mile or a course at their comfort level for the fundraiser, which benefits the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County.
CONNECTICUT: Case of TB Found in Hartford School: Associated Press (10.15.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; School officials in Hartford on Thursday said that a student at the Dr. James H. Naylor Elementary School is being treated for TB, and that health officials are notifying others at the school who may need precautionary screening. TB testing will be offered to them at the school s auditorium on Tuesday. The infected stu
GEORGIA: Emory Joins Network: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (10.07.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; Emory University researchers recently joined the Florida Node Alliance of the National Institute on Drug Abuse s Clinical Trials Network. CTN works to improve substance abuse treatment by linking researchers with care providers. Emory was chosen for its researchers previous experience in working with HIV- positive crac
OHIO: MetroHealth Pioneering Medical Record Linkage: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (10.12.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; Angela Townsend; MetroHealth Medical Center is expanding a successful pilot using electronic medical records to send communicable disease information to state officials. Since January, MetroHealth has been piloting the use of electronic medical records to send state officials reports of gonorrhea and chlamydia. On Sept. 15, the hospita
AUSTRALIA: Interventions for Young People in Australia to Reduce HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Systematic Review: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 2: P. 107-128 (05..10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; Melissa Kang; Rachel Skinner; Tim Usherwood; The current study comprises a review of intervention programs that aim to reduce the burden of HIV and other STIs among young people in Australia . After identifying articles from seven databases, the team reviewed intervention studies set in Australia and involving persons ages 12 to 25. They then developed a two-dime
BELGIUM: Belgian Archbishop's AIDS Comments Spark National Fury: Agence France Presse (10.15.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; Archbishop Andre-Joseph Leonard, head of the Belgian Roman Catholic Church, called a press conference Friday following outrage over remarks he made that AIDS is sort of inherent justice. In a recently published book, Leonard said he understood from numerous scientific papers that AIDS at the beginning multiplied throug
AUSTRALIA: New HIV Cases Top One Thousand Again: Australian Associated Press (10.18.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; Danny Rose; New diagnoses of HIV in Australia reached 1,050 in 2009, the continuation of a decade-long climb and the highest figure in almost two decades. It s fair to say over the last decade there was a substantial increase and we are starting to stabilize out, just recently, said Dr. David Wilson, of the National Center in HIV
ILLINOIS: Fighting HIV Among Inmates: Chicago Sun-Times (10.12.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; Monifa Thomas; The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is funding its first initiative to fight HIV in correctional facilities with $50 million in grants over the next five years. The research grants, awarded by the NIH s National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), will be distributed to organizations in several states, including Illino
UNITED STATES: 1 in 22 Blacks Will Get HIV, CDC Report Says: Associated Press (10.14.10) - Monday, October 18, 2010; A new CDC report estimating the lifetime risk of HIV diagnosis for several populations found great disparities by racial/ethnic groups. Based on HIV surveillance, vital statistics, and census data from 37 states and Puerto Rico for 2007, an estimated 4.65 percent of blacks/African Americans would receive an HIV diagnos
PENNSYLVANIA: Sunday HIV Awareness Run: Philadelphia Inquirer (10.15.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; Rachel Gouk; Merck & Co. is sponsoring Sunday s 24th Annual AIDS Walk Philly & AIDS Run Philly. The Oct. 17 event is expected to bring together nearly 15,000 people to raise money for HIV prevention, education, and care services in greater Philadelphia. The day kicks off with a reading of names and the opening of the AIDS
UTAH: Living with AIDS Seminar: Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (10.14.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; Kassi Cox; The 22nd annual Living with AIDS Conference will be held Oct. 16 at the Jewish Community Center, 2 N. Medical Drive, Salt Lake City. The 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. event is designed for people living with HIV, their family members, caregivers, friends, and AIDS service providers. The cost is $25; however, scholarships are ava
CALIFORNIA: HIV in Porn: Halt Calif. Shoots, Health Groups Says: Associated Press (10.14.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; The recent HIV case in an adult-film performer has AIDS Healthcare Foundation calling on California s pornography industry to temporarily halt production. AHF President Michael Weinstein says an industry-wide closure is the right thing to do to protect the health of other adult-film actors. At least half a dozen compan
ALABAMA: Hobson City HIV Clinic Awarded $3 Million Education Grant: Anniston Star (10.12.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; Brett Buckner; The Hobson City HIV Clinic has received two Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants totaling $3 million to reach out to young adults at risk of HIV and substance abuse. The grants will target minorities and women at risk, using HIV testing and counseling, and evidence-based interventions design
MISSISSIPPI: Safe Sex Forum at Jackson State University Sheds Light on HIV, Prevention: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (10.12.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; Nick Samuel; Two fraternal organizations, Omega Psi Phi and Alpha Phi Alpha, at Jackson State University recently sponsored a forum on campus detailing the basics of HIV and STDs. More education needs to be done, especially with African- American adolescents at an earlier state of their development, said Christopher Rovy, project c
UNITED KINGDOM: HIV Transmission and High Rates of Late Diagnoses Among Adults Aged 50 Years and Over: AIDS Vol. 24; No. 13: P. 2109-2115 (08.24.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; Ruth D. Smith; Valerie C. Delpech; Alison E. Brown; Brian D. Rice; The authors of the current study aimed to describe the epidemiology and impact of late HIV diagnosis among older adults and to estimate the age at which they became infected. The research team undertook comparative national analyses between individuals diagnosed at age 50 and older versus those diagnosed at ages younge
INDIA: Games Village Gets Condom Refill: Wall Street Journal (10.13.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; A ready supply of condoms helped make safe sex an important, if unofficial, event among the 7,000 athletes participating in the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, which were scheduled to end Thursday evening. India s National AIDS Control Organization distributed 4,000 condoms to the athletes residence at the Games Villa
ARKANSAS: State Cuts Off AIDS Group from Grants: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (10.13.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; Seth Blomeley; A Little Rock non-profit that provides HIV/AIDS prevention services to black men who have sex with men (MSM) has had grant activities suspended while the state conducts an audit of the group. Last week, an audit of Brotha s and Sistah s Inc. found $6,131 in undocumented expenses from a $50,000 state Minority Health Com
UNITED STATES: Gay Sex Feeds HIV Rise in Hispanic Men: Project Q Atlanta (10.14.10) - Friday, October 15, 2010; October 15 is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, an opportunity to raise awareness of the disproportionate impact of HIV on the US Hispanic/Latino population. The estimated lifetime risk of being diagnosed with HIV among Hispanic/Latinos is one in 36 for males and one in 106 for females, according to a new CDC report
CALIFORNIA: Hundreds of James Logan High Students Must Be Tested for Tuberculosis: Contra Costa Times (10.13.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; Kimberly Chua, Oakland Tribune; On Wednesday, New Haven Unified School District spokesperson Rick La Plante said around 500 students at James Logan High School will be tested for TB following the diagnosis of an active case of the disease at the campus. That person is being treated and is no longer at school, said La Plante. Our priority at this poin
TEXAS: Free HIV Testing This Friday in Downtown El Paso: KTSM-TV (El-Paso) (10.13.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; The El Paso Department of Public Health is participating in this year s National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on Friday by offering free, rapid HIV tests from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the New Old Plantation nightclub, 301 South Ochoa St., downtown. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is a serious threat to the Hispanic community, said Irene
FLORIDA: HIV Testing: Orlando Sentinel (10.10.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; Caf� Latino of Central Florida is collaborating with other community agencies to observe National Latino AIDS Awareness Day by hosting the fifth annual Despierta health fair on Sat., Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free family event will address specific health concerns related to the Hispanic community, and will o
COLORADO: Latino AIDS Awareness Day Offers Tests: Fort Collins Coloradoan (10.14.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; To commemorate National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on Friday, the Northern Colorado AIDS Project will offer free, rapid HIV tests from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 400 Remington St., Suite 100, Fort Collins. Spanish-speaking translators will be available during testing hours. For more information, telephone 970-484- 4469 or vis
FLORIDA: The New Face of HIV/AIDS: Rising Disease Rates Strip Away Our Stereotypes: Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville) (10.03.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; Tracy Jones; Linda Williams of the Northeast Florida Women s AIDS Alliance (NFWAA) did not let the lower-than-expected turnout at a recent breakfast on the Southside stop her from getting her point across. HIV/AIDS was the leading cause of death for African-American women ages 25-44 in Florida in 2008, the latest state data show. D
AUSTRALIA: Trends in the Location of the HIV-Positive Population in Australia: Implications for Access to Health Care Services and Delivery: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 2: P. 154-158 (05..10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; Marina Carman; Jeffrey Grierson; Marian Pitts; Michael Hurley; Jennifer Power; Assessing existing and potential trends in the HIV-positive population in Australia is important for current and future health care service development and delivery, the authors noted in their introduction. The current study provided a new analysis of existing data on this population from the HIV Futures 5 survey, wh
UNITED STATES: Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infection/Human Immunodeficiency Virus Counseling Services Received by Teen Males, 1995-2002: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 46; No. 6: P. 553-559 (06..10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; Arik V. Marcell, MD, MPH; David L. Bell, MD, MPH; Laura D. Lindberg, PHD; Adel Takruri; The authors set out to determine whether improvements have been made in the delivery of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and/or HIV counseling services to teenage males. Analysis was performed on data from two nationally representative surveys of 15- to 19-year-old males: the 1995 National Survey of Adolescent Male
GLOBAL: Hope for Expanded Protection Against TB: Inter Press Service (10.08.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; Aimable Twahirwa; The Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation is testing several TB vaccine candidates, including one that would improve upon the Bacille Calmette-Gu�rin (BCG) vaccine given to infants by providing long-term protection against all forms of TB instead of just providing protection against pediatric TB. The AERAS- 422 vaccine is
GLOBAL: Experts Warn of 10 Million TB Deaths in Next Five Years: Agence France Presse (10.13.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; The international coalition the Stop TB Partnership has launched the 2011-15 Global Plan to Stop TB, calling it a blueprint to prevent millions of completely unnecessary deaths. About 9 million people contract TB each year, predominantly in developing countries. Asia and Africa alone account for 55 percent and 30 perce
UNITED STATES: MTV's '16 and Pregnant' Series Hailed a Cold Shower for Teens: Washington Times (10.13.10) - Thursday, October 14, 2010; Cheryl Wetzstein; As it enters its third season, MTV s 16 and Pregnant is emerging among both adults and youth as a cautionary tale on the risks of teen sex. 16 and Pregnant is a reality-based show that follows several young women through their pregnancies and deliveries. The unvarnished stories have been described as heart-rending and
IRAN: Iran Minister Warns of 'Volcanic Explosion of AIDS': Agence France Presse (10.12.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; On Tuesday, Iran s health minister warned that the Islamic republic could see a volcanic explosion of AIDS due to rising immoral behavior among its people. Seven percent of those who have AIDS have been infected because of immoral behavior and attitudes and because of a rise in such dangerous behavior, said Marzieh Vah
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa to Test All HIV Patients for TB: San Francisco Chronicle (10.13.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; Associated Press; South African health officials said Wednesday they want to begin screening all HIV patients for TB. The officials also said they are working on three drug regimens to treat drug- resistant TB, and they are testing four vaccines, which they hope to release by 2015. The country has one of the world s highest TB rates bec
TENNESSEE: Latino AIDS Awareness Day Is Friday: Associated Press (10.13.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; The Tennessee Department of Health is joining health care providers and advocates in observing Friday s National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, whose theme is Save a Life, It May Be Your Own. Get Tested for HIV. New cases of HIV infection among both men and women of Latino descent are rising faster than among other ethnic
CALIFORNIA: HIV Infects Porn Film Performer: Los Angeles Times (10.13.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; Molly Hennessy-Fiske; Rong-Gong Lin II; An active adult-film performer working in the San Fernando Valley recently tested HIV-positive, a clinic that primarily serves the industry confirmed on Tuesday. It is the second HIV infection hitting the lucrative industry in about a year, renewing calls by AIDS advocates for state officials to mandate condom use on p
UNITED STATES: Reducing HIV Risk Behavior of Men Who Have Sex with Men Through Persuasive Computing: Results of the Men's INTernet Study-II: AIDS Vol. 24; No. 13: P. 2099-2107 (08.24.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; B.R. Simon Rosser; J. Michael Oakes; Joseph Konstan; Simon Hooper; Keith J. Horvath; Gene P. Danilenko; Katherine E. Nygaard; Derek J. Smolenski; In the United States and similar countries, men who have sex with men (MSM) continue to be the group at highest risk of HIV/AIDS. As the Internet becomes popular for seeking sex, online interventions to reduce sexual risk are critical, noted the authors, who undertook the current study to develop and test a highly inte
UNITED STATES: Condom Negotiation Strategies and Actual Condom Use Among Latino Youth: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 47; No. 3: P. 254-262 (09..10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; Jeanne M. Tschann, PhD; Elena Flores, PhD; Cynthia L. de Groat, MA; Julianna Deardorff, PhD; Charles J. Wibbelsman, MD; Determining which condom negotiation strategies are effective in obtaining, or avoiding, condom use among Latino youths was the goal of the current study. The subjects - 694 Latino youths, ages 16 to 22, 61 percent female - were interviewed about condom negotiation strategies, perceptions of whether their partner wante
CHINA: China Court Hears First HIV Discrimination Suit: Agence France Presse (10.13.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; China s first suit challenging HIV-related employment discrimination was heard in court on Wednesday. The suit was brought by a man who alleges that, after he had passed written tests and interviews, he was denied a teaching position because medical screening had revealed he is HIV-positive. We re quite optimistic abou
ASIA-PACIFIC: One in Three TB Cases in Asia-Pacific Undiagnosed: WHO: Agence France Presse (10.12.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; The World Health Organization has approved a machine that can identify strains of multidrug-resistant TB in 90 minutes. At the same time, WHO officials reported that of the 1.94 million cases of TB in the Asia-Pacific region, about one-third are undiagnosed. WHO plans to use the new device in areas believed to have hig
TEXAS: HIV Drug Program in Peril: Dallas Morning News (10.06.10) - Wednesday, October 13, 2010; Robert T. Garrett; The Texas HIV Medication Program, which provides antiretroviral drugs and other life-saving medication to about 15,000 low-income residents, is facing a $23 million shortfall in the next two years, officials said. Absent full funding of the program, officials are considering enrollment caps, stricter eligibility or dro
CALIFORNIA: Salvadoran Gay Rights Leader Visits San Francisco: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (10.07.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; Cynthia Laird; William Hernandez, recognized by Amnesty International for his efforts to end discrimination and persecution of LGBT people in El Salvador , will speak at a town hall meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 13, from 6-8 p.m. at the LGBT Community Center, 1800 Market St., San Francisco. Hernandez is kicking off a three-week US tour
MINNESOTA: Minn. to Observe Latino AIDS Day on Oct. 15: Associated Press (10.10.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; Minnesota will observe National Latino AIDS Awareness Day Oct. 15 by urging people to get tested for HIV. The day is intended to raise awareness of the increasing impact HIV/AIDS is having on the Latino community in Minnesota and nationwide. The state Department of Health reports there are 512 Latinos living with HIV i
ILLINOIS: HIV Testing: Chicago Tribune (10.06.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; In recognition of National Latino AIDS Awareness Day (Friday Oct. 15), free HIV testing will be available on Tuesday, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Grand Avenue Health Center, 3010 Grand Ave., Waukegan; on Oct. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., North Shore Health Center, 1840 Green Bay Road, Highland Park; and noon to 3 p.m., North
CALIFORNIA: Veto Ax Cuts into Social Programs: Los Angeles Times (10.09.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; Jack Dolan; Shane Goldmacher; On Friday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vetoed almost $1 billion in program spending before signing the budget bill that lawmakers passed after a marathon overnight session. The governor slashed 23 line items from the $87.5 billion general fund budget, including nearly $60 million from HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention p
MINNESOTA: Sex-Education Program Gets Grant: Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (10.01.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; Josephine Marcotty; Hennepin County officials said their comprehensive approach to reducing teen pregnancy helped them recently secure a $17 million, five-year federal grant. It is believed to be the largest-ever public grant for teen pregnancy prevention in the state. The US Department of Health and Human Services grant amounts to $3.4 m
AUSTRALIA: Australian Men's Sexual Practices in Saunas, Sex Clubs and Other Male Sex on Premises Venues: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 2: P. 186-192 (05..10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; Anthony Lyons; Anthony M.A. Smith; Jeffrey W. Grierson; Henry von Doussa; Although sex on premises venues (SOPVs) for men who have sex with men (MSM) have been implicated in the spread of STDs, little research has described men s sexual encounters in these venues, particularly the degree to which men from different backgrounds engage in risky sexual practices. In the current study, interview
UNITED STATES: New Survey on Sex in US, Biggest Since 1994: Associated Press (10.04.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; David Crary; A special issue of the Journal of Sexual Medicine offers the most comprehensive national sexual behavior survey in more than a decade, researchers say. The new data are based on a survey of a national probability sample of 5,865 people ages 14-94. Researchers with Indiana University s Center for Sexual Health Promotion
CANADA: Call Out for Regular HIV Testing: Guelph Tribune (10.07.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; A local non-profit AIDS service organization is offering rapid, anonymous HIV testing to encourage residents to find out their status. The services are part of an AIDS Committee of Guelph and Wellington County (ACGWC) campaign to promote regular testing among those who have engaged in higher-risk activities. Nearly 30
UNITED KINGDOM: New Sexual Health Clinic Will Ease Patient Numbers in City: Belfast Telegraph (10.11.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; Lisa Smyth; A new sexual health clinic southeast of Belfast has opened to help meet the needs of people who otherwise would have to travel to the city for services. The clinic is located in Downe Hospital in Downpatrick, about 50 minutes southeast of Belfast. Health officials estimate that in 2009, about 3,000 residents of the sou
OHIO: Advocates See Cleveland's Needle Swap as State Model: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (09.20.10) - Tuesday, October 12, 2010; Emmanuel Romero; When Cleveland first allowed needle-exchange programs in 1995, more than 17 percent of the community s HIV infections were associated with intravenous drug use. The proportion was 3.4 percent last year, according to the Cleveland Department of Public Health. The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland operates the sta
GEORGIA: UGA Gets Part of $2.9 Million Federal Grant to Study TB: Associated Press (10.08.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; A scientist at the University of Georgia is among the recipients of a $2.9 million US Food and Drug Administration grant for TB research. Frederick D. Quinn, who is with the College of Veterinary Medicine, hopes to develop an improved diagnostic test for latent TB. While about 14 million people have active TB globally,
TEXAS: Dallas County, AIDS Service Agencies Tackling Increase in HIV Cases Among Younger People: Dallas Morning News (09.16.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; Sherry Jacobson; Dallas County Health and Human Services recently announced it is working with area AIDS service agencies to fight a 30 percent increase in HIV diagnoses among county residents ages 13-24 in the past five years. The case rate has reached 54 HIV infections per 100,000 in that age group. On Oct. 12, a community forum to d
GLOBAL: Global Broadcasters to Show AIDS Drug Film: Agence France Presse (10.07.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; The US cable channel HBO and Britain s Channel 4 will mark World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, by joining a worldwide broadcast of The Lazarus Effect. Created by filmmaker Lance Bangs with executive producer Spike Jonze, and produced by HBO Documentary films, The Lazarus Effect follows the experience of four seriously ill HIV-posi
ILLINOIS: HIV Numbers Put Disease in Perspective: Windy City Times (Chicago) (09.29.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; Sam Worley; CDC s recent report that 53 percent of HIV-positive Chicago men who have sex with men are unaware of their infection - compared to 44 percent of infected MSM nationally - brought strong reactions from local HIV/AIDS advocates and service providers. Thirty years into the epidemic, MSM continue to suffer the highest infe
MARYLAND: Baltimore Leads in HIV Infection in Gay Men: Baltimore Sun (10.02.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; Meredith Cohn; CDC s recently released study involving men who have sex with men in 21 US cities found the proportion who were HIV-positive was greatest in Baltimore. In all, 38 percent of the about 500 MSM surveyed in Baltimore were infected. Of them, 73 percent were unaware of their infection, up from 62 percent in 2004- 05. While
MARYLAND: City Sets Teen Birth Prevention Strategy: Baltimore Sun (09.18.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; Yeganeh June Torbati; Baltimore s teen birth rate is nearly double that of Maryland, prompting advocates to come together around a new strategy to coordinate efforts and reduce gaps in services. In 2007, the city recorded 66 births per 1,000 females ages 15 to 19. The rates were even higher for Baltimore s black and Hispanic mothers. Baltim
TEXAS: $2.9 Million for Sex Education: Austin American-Statesman (10.02.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; Melissa B. Taboada; Using a new $2.9 million grant from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Austin school district will team up with LifeWorks and Planned Parenthood to offer students expanded instruction to prevent teen pregnancy and STD transmission. District officials, politicians, and community leaders were on hand at
UNITED STATES: Bridging the Gap: Using School-Based Health Services to Improve Chlamydia Screening Among Young Women: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 9: P. 1624- 1629 (09..10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; Rebecca A. Braun, MPH; Jackie M. Provost, MPH; The study s objective was to implement a chlamydia screening program targeting young women accessing reproductive health care services in a school-based setting, and to assess racial/ethnic factors associated with infection. From January 2008 to December 2008, the California Family Health Council partnered with nine he
UNITED STATES: One in Four Students, Young Adults Binge Drink: CDC: Reuters (10.05.10) - Friday, October 08, 2010; Julie Steenhuysen; CDC said Tuesday that recent health data show a quarter of US high school students and adults ages 18-34 engaged in binge drinking in the past month. Among the high schoolers who drink, 60 percent say they binge drink. CDC defines binge drinking as having five or more drinks for males and four or more for females withi
DELAWARE: AIDS Walk Fundraiser Draws Hundreds in Dover: News Journal (Wilmington) (10.04.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Wade Malcolm; Hundreds of people took part in three recent AIDS walks in Delaware. Some 3,000 people showed their support at a walk held Sept. 26 in Wilmington s Rockford Park. More than 500 people were expected for Sunday s walk in Rehoboth Beach, but a downpour kept the crowd to about 100. In Dover, 700 people had preregistered fo
OHIO: Sex Education Funds to Go to At-Risk Kids: Dayton Daily News (10.02.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Kelli Wynn; Thanks to $1.9 million in new federal sex education funding, the Ohio Department of Health will conduct pregnancy prevention training for its family services and youth services departments. Outside firms will do the actual training of frontline staff in the regional foster care and juvenile justice systems, said Jen Ho
UNITED STATES: Mylan Gets FDA Approval for Generic Reyataz: Bloomberg Businessweek (10.05.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Pittsburgh, Pa.-based Mylan Inc. has announced that its Matrix Laboratories Ltd. subsidiary received tentative Food and Drug Administration approval to manufacture a generic version of Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. s HIV drug Reyataz. The approval was granted under the President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The generic
KANSAS: County's STD Detectives Track to Protect: Wichita Eagle (10.05.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Deb Gruver; Sedgwick County Health Department disease intervention specialists work to track down people who may have been exposed to STDs, offering testing and treatment in a bid to slow their spread. Their work is confidential, stressed Jason Ybarra, SCHD s senior disease intervention specialist, and their goal is not to judge b
AUSTRALIA: Understanding HIV's Infectious Grip: Australian Associated Press (09.21.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Danny Rose; Australian scientists believe they know how HIV can establish itself in latent form in the human body, a mystery that has presented the foremost barrier to eradicating the virus by highly active antiretroviral therapy. The study proposes a mechanism through which HIV persists in latently infected resting CD4+ T cells.
PHILIPPINES: Philippine Senators Scold Minister over Plan to Buy Condoms: Agence France Presse (10.06.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; To combat high birth rates in Philippine slums, the Health Ministry is seeking 400 million pesos (US $9 million) for condoms and other contraceptives. During testimony Wednesday at a public hearing about the 2011 national budget, Health Secretary Enrique Ona supported the plan and added that condoms could help prevent
AUSTRALIA: Surge in Teenage Sex: Australian Associated Press (10.06.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Danny Rose; A survey of Australian students in grades 10 and 12 reveals a surge in risky sexual behaviors over the past decade, while condom use has remained level. Students continue to report high awareness of HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of other STDs improved slightly during the time period. Rates of alcohol consumption among secondary
ARKANSAS: Report Addresses AIDS Health Care: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (09.26.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Tracie Dungan; The state s HIV/AIDS Minority Task Force has been holding statewide public comment sessions as it crafts its 2011 legislative agenda. During a recent stop in Springdale, the task force presented findings from the State Healthcare Access Research Project (SHARP) to an audience of about 40 HIV patients and providers of c
CALIFORNIA: Schwarzenegger Splits the Baby on Syringe Sales: San Jose Mercury News (10.01.10) - Thursday, October 07, 2010; Josh Richman; Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has vetoed a bill that would have allowed pharmacies across California to sell syringes to an adult without a prescription. Instead, he extended a 2004 pilot project that lets local governments decide whether to allow non-prescription syringe sales. AB 1701, sponsored by Assembly member Wes C
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Response to HIV Testing at DMV 'Better than Expected': Washington Post (10.05.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; First-day response to the District s offer of HIV testing at a Department of Motor Vehicles office was better than expected, said Angela Fulwood Wood, COO of Family Medical and Counseling Service, which is performing the tests. Funded by a $250,000 grant from Gilead Sciences , the outreach at the Penn Branch in southwe
BRAZIL: World Bank to Provide New Anti-AIDS Loan for Brazil: Xinhua News Agency (10.05.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Under an agreement signed Tuesday with the Ministry of Health, the World Bank will provide a new loan of $67 million to help Brazil prevent and treat HIV and other STDs. Since recording its first HIV case in 1982, Brazil s government has worked aggressively with civil society groups to fight the epidemic. Its HIV case
GLOBAL: Australia to Boost HIV, TB, Malaria Aid: Australian Associated Press (10.06.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Australia has announced it is allocating $210 million (US $205 million) over three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. We are committed to helping developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, in their fight against the diseases, said Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd. Australia s new
KANSAS: Physician: HIV Test Guidelines Not Being Followed: Wichita Eagle (10.05.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Karen Shideler; CDC s 2006 HIV recommendation that all persons ages 13 to 64 be routinely screened for HIV in health care settings is being ignored, said Wichita physician Donna Sweet. That was four years ago. It is one of the most widely undone [tests] and disregarded guidelines in medicine. Physicians still haven t given up the old
AUSTRALIA: Understanding Gay Men's Sex Venues as Sites for Sexual Health Promotion: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 2: P. 182-185 (05..10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Anthony M.A. Smith; Jeffrey W. Grierson; Henry von Doussa; Despite being understood as sites for the potential spread of sexually transmissible infections, we know remarkably little about how men spend their time when they visit sex venues, explained the authors of the current study. They aimed to describe the nature of men s visits to sex venues in terms of where they arrive
CANADA: Increase in STDs in Region Alarming: Officials: Ottawa Citizen (10.04.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Dave Rogers; STD cases have risen in Ottawa and Gatineau in the past 10 years, likely because fewer people are using condoms, health officials there say. I think there is a real drop in the use of protection, said Dr. Carol McConnery, a spokesperson for the Outaouais region s public health agency. There is still magical thinking th
GLOBAL: Global Fight Against AIDS Falters as Pledges Fail to Reach Goal of $13 Billion: New York Times (10.06.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; On Tuesday, 40 countries attending a replenishment conference at the UN pledged $11.7 billion for the next three years to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. This amount falls short of the $13 billion the fund needs just to sustain current rates of treating AIDS patients. To raise treatment rates commensurat
NEW YORK: HIV a Threat to Those Age 50 and Older: United Press International (09.20.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Older New Yorkers should take precautions to prevent HIV infection, Dr. Richard F. Daines, the state commissioner of health, warned recently. The number of state residents over age 50 with HIV is rising, partly because antiretroviral therapy has helped increase their life expectancy. Many others, however, are newly inf
UNITED STATES: New Sex Education Funding Ends Decade of Abstinence-Only: Associated Press (10.01.10) - Wednesday, October 06, 2010; Kelli Kennedy; As part of its new five-year, $375 million Health and Human Services (HHS) grant, the federal government, for the first time in more than a decade, is funding sex education programs that go beyond the abstinence-only approach. Beginning this year, the grants are being divided among 28 programs that have been proven to
TENNESSEE: AIDS Walk Raises Money, Awareness: The Tennessean (Nashville) (10.03.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Jenny Upchurch; About 1,500 people turned out for Saturday s Nashville CARES annual AIDS Walk, and the amount raised was expected to total $200,000. Organizers said the unrestricted money will help fill the gaps in state and federal programs that assist HIV patients in accessing medications, food, and shelter. Jim Henley, who said he
CONNECTICUT: Rell: Connecticut Gets $1 Million Public Health Grant: Associated Press (10.03.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Connecticut will use a new $1 million, five-year grant awarded under the federal health care reform law to improve HIV testing and help residents quit smoking, Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Sunday. More than $500,000 of the funds will go to help state and local health departments better track health trends and disease outbrea
CANADA: Manitoba Report Shows Disturbing Trends in HIV Cases Among Aboriginals and Women: Canadian Press (10.01.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Winnipeg Free Press; Manitoba saw a 20 percent increase in new HIV/AIDS cases last year, and most new HIV diagnoses were made only when the patients were at an advanced stage of illness, according to the Manitoba HIV Program s 2009 update. Health officials had warned in 2008 that the province could see an explosion of HIV among aboriginals
UNITED STATES: Epidemiology of Tuberculosis Among US- and Foreign-Born Children and Adolescents in the United States, 1994-2007: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 9: P. 1724- 1729 (09..10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Heather J. Menzies, MD, MPH; Carla A. Winston, PhD, MA; Timothy H. Holtz, MD, MPH; Kevin P. Cain, MD; William R. MacKenzie, MD; In the current study, researchers with CDC s Division of Tuberculosis Elimination examined TB cases and case rates among US- and foreign-born children and adolescents (C&A). They also analyzed the potential effect of changes to overseas TB screening for immigration applicants. Based on case data from the National T
UGANDA: Failing to Control Tuberculosis: Inter Press Service (09.29.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Wambi Michael; Uganda is struggling to get TB under control, experts say. Many patients lack an understanding of the disease, have difficulty in reaching clinics for follow-up appointments, and face drug shortages. The nation is among the 22 countries with the highest TB burden, according to the Worl
ZIMBABWE: Neonatal Circumcision Yet to Gain Ground: Inter Press Service (09.30.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Ignatius Banda; The Ministry of Health and Child Welfare this year began promoting neonatal male circumcision, which is seen as a way to lower HIV infection rates in the long term. But as is the case with adult male circumcision, uptake of neonatal male circumcision is slow. Studies show male circumcision reduces the risk of female-to
GUATEMALA: Guatemala to Investigate US Study on Sex Diseases: Agence France Presse (10.04.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; A committee impaneled Monday by President Alvaro Colom will investigate the two-year experiment, disclosed Friday by the Obama administration, in which US scientists deliberately infected hundreds of Guatemalans with STDs. The committee will try to determine how it was possible for this to happen; who the victims were,
GUATEMALA: US Apologizes to Guatemalans for 1940s STD Experiment: Miami Herald (10.01.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Sarah Grainger; Carol Rosenberg; Guatemala reacted with shock to Friday s revelation that that US scientists infected Guatemalan prisoners, soldiers and sex workers with STDs in the name of public health research in the 1940s. These should be considered crimes against humanity, and Guatemala reserves the right to petition the relevant international
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Bringing Free HIV Testing to the Crowd at Motor Vehicles: Washington Post (10.01.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Nikita Stewart; On Tuesday, the District is launching a year-long free HIV testing project at the Penn Branch of the Department of Motor Vehicles. Participants who choose to undergo rapid HIV testing will receive a $15 discount for DMV services including license renewal. D.C. officials chose the Penn Branch to boost screening of resid
GLOBAL: US Will Increase AIDS Fund Donation: Wall Street Journal (10.05.10) - Tuesday, October 05, 2010; Betsy McKay; On Tuesday, the Obama administration is expected to announce a three-year, $4 billion pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and at the same time to press the Geneva-based organization for reforms. The United States - by far the largest contributor to the fund, with more than $5.1 billion donated sinc
MALAYSIA: Malaysia Considering Sex Education to Combat Baby- Dumping: Agence France Presse (10.01.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Faced with an epidemic of baby-abandonment, in which desperate young mothers leave unwanted infants to die in toilets or on trash heaps, Muslim-majority Malaysia may institute sex education in schools across the country. Deputy Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said, in a reference to sex education programs undergoing tr
CALIFORNIA: Report Card Underscores San Francisco Health Gaps: San Francisco Chronicle (09.23.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Victoria Colliver; The citywide Community Benefit Partnership coalition has issued a report, Community Vital Signs, that spotlights public health progress and challenges in the city. San Francisco has been posting community health information online since 2007, but the new report advances the process by serving as a data clearinghouse so
SOUTH CAROLINA: $22 Million in Federal Grants to SC Pregnancy Programs: The State (Columbia, S.C.) (10.02.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Joey Holleman; The US Department of Health and Human Services has announced nearly $22 million in grants to reduce teen pregnancy in South Carolina, where 87 percent of counties have teen birth rates exceeding the national average. Though the grants are for five years, funding for only the first year has been approved by Congress; mo
PENNSYLVANIA: Living Their Whole Lives with HIV: St. Paul Pioneer Press (09.19.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Brooke Minters, Philadelphia Inquirer; Lafayette Sanders belongs to a relatively rare group of HIV/AIDS patients in the United States : He was perinatally infected by his mother. HIV was a death sentence at the time of Sander s birth, and he was not expected to live very long. Now 24, Sanders is a peer educator for iChoose2live, a Philadelphia-based youth p
MONTANA: Revised Helena Sex Education Plan Faces Scrutiny: Associated Press (09.29.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Matt Gouras; Emotions ran high at a Sept. 28 Helena school board meeting over plans to adopt a new sex education curriculum. During the course of several hours, supporters and opponents of the proposed program voiced their concerns. School officials have been under fire since releasing the curriculum this summer. It would teach fir
UNITED STATES: HIV Testing Preferences Among Young Men of Color Who Have Sex with Men: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 10: P. 1961- 1966 (10..10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Alwyn Cohall, MD; Shelia Dini, MPH; Andrea Nye, MPH, MBA; Bonne Dye, MPH; Natalie Neu, MD, MPH; Christel Hyden, MS, CHES; Awareness of and preferences for rapid HIV testing among young men of color who have sex with men and are engaged in high- risk HIV behaviors were assessed in the current report. The cross-sectional study of 177 young MSM was performed in New York City. Among 85 percent of participants who had previously undergone HIV
BOTSWANA: HIV-Positive Mothers Not Convinced to Exclusively Breastfeed: Inter Press Service (09.01.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Alma Balopi; Conditions on the ground in Botswana could thwart updated World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines, which recommend that new mothers with HIV breastfeed their infants, provided either or both are on antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, until at least the infant s first birthday. Influencing the WHO decision was the rand
GLOBAL: NIH to Share Patents on AIDS Drugs: Chicago Tribune (09.30.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Reuters; On Thursday, the US National Institutes of Health said it is sharing the intellectual property rights to some patented AIDS drugs with an international patent pool. The international health financing system UNITAID first announced the patent pool in December. Under the mechanism, generic drug makers copy patented medic
UNITED STATES; GUATEMALA: US Infected Guatemalans for STD Tests: Washington Post (10.02.10) - Monday, October 04, 2010; Rob Stein; Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, together with Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, on Friday issued a joint apology for medical experiments the US government conducted in the 1940s in which Guatemalan prisoners, soldiers and others were deliberately infected with syphilis and other STDs.
CALIFORNIA: Project Open Hand Marks 25 Years: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (09.30.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; A quarter-century after retired grandmother Ruth Brinker launched it to help feed people living with AIDS, Project Open Hand will mark its 25th anniversary with events at its facilities in San Francisco and Oakland. The agency was the first of its kind when it was founded, said Executive Director Tom Nolan, but today t
KENTUCKY: AIDS Walk Draws 5,000 People, but Fundraising Down: Courier Journal (Louisville) (10.26.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Melissa Poore; Last Sunday s Louisville AIDS Walk drew 5,000 people and quite a few dogs, but its take, $147,078, - was down by about $50,000 from last year, said Event Director Brad Hampton. AIDS Services Center Coalition Inc., which produces the walk, is an umbrella organization comprising 11 AIDS service organizations. Hampton sai
UNITED STATES; CANADA: Experimental Genital Herpes Vaccine Fails Major Clinical Trial: Los Angeles Times (09.30.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Thomas H. Maugh II; Researchers said on Thursday that an experimental vaccine to protect women from genital herpes disease had failed in a Phase III trial. GlaxoSmithKline , which manufactured the candidate, said it is abandoning its work on the Simplirix vaccine. The Herpevac trial, which began in 2002, enrolled 8,323 women ages 18-30 at
ILLINOIS: CDC: One in Five Chicago MSM Has HIV: Windy City Times (Chicago) (09.29.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Andrew Davis; CDC reported in September the results of a study showing that 19 percent of men who have sex with men in 21 major US cities have HIV, and 44 percent did not know they were infected. In Chicago, the study found 93 of 516 MSM surveyed were HIV- positive, and 53 percent were unaware of it. In Chicago, 88 percent of the [M
NEW JERSEY: Foot Soldiers in the Day-to-Day Battle Against Tuberculosis: Star-Ledger (Newark) (09.26.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Seth Augenstein; The Global TB Institute at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey is helping patients to recover, and Newark to stay healthy, by ensuring that those with TB are not leaving their medications unfinished. Patients who feel better sometimes decide to stop taking their medication before they are cured, said
CALIFORNIA: HIV/AIDS Activists: 'Let's Talk About Sex, It's Killing Us': Black Voices News (Riverside) (09.15.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Chris Levister; At a Sept. 10 health summit at Community Hospital of San Bernardino, HIV/AIDS activist Carla Bailey told attendees the HIV fight begins and ends with us. De-nial is not just a river in Egypt , said Bailey. We know firsthand what HIV/AIDS is doing to the black community. We ve buried countless family members, neighbors,
CANADA: Alberta Neurologist's Study Suggests HIV Can Cause Brain Disease: Canadian Press (09.28.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Bill Graveland; Despite the availability of antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, neurologic disorders occur frequently in HIV/AIDS patients and increase the risk of death, a study in Canada finds. This may reflect late diagnosis and entry into care, so efforts to identify people with HIV earlier are vital, AIDS expert Dr. Julio Montaner said
SOUTH AFRICA: South African AIDS Orphans Aging: Associated Press (09.30.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Jenny Gross; A growing number of South African AIDS orphans are in need of specialized care as they transition to adulthood, a new Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) study finds. South Africa has the world s largest HIV/AIDS caseload and is home to nearly 3 million orphans, many of whom lost parents to AIDS. According
UNITED STATES: More Activists Band Together to Fight Child Sex Trafficking: USA Today (09.30.10) - Friday, October 01, 2010; Wendy Koch; Twenty-two state attorneys general have joined in calling on the classified-ad website Backpage.com to shutter its adult- services section, following successful pressure on Craigslist.com to do the same. The push is part of a growing movement among women s groups, state officials, human rights activists, and celebritie
MALAWI: Malawi Adopts UN Guidelines on AIDS: Associated Press (09.29.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Vice President Joyce Banda announced today that Malawi will adopt the UN s latest AIDS guidelines, which call for treating HIV patients earlier in the course of illness. The decision could double, to 500,000, the number of Malawians on AIDS drugs by July. However, an estimated 1 million people there are in need of the
INDIANA: Financial Woes Place More Emphasis on Matthew 25's Annual AIDS Walk: Evansville Courier & Press (09.28.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Leaders of Henderson, Ky.-based Matthew 25 AIDS Services say government funding cuts make their 15th annual AIDS Walk at Ellis Park this Saturday even more crucial. The group learned recently that a $240,000 annual CDC grant would not be renewed, and its state medical case management grant has been cut by $56,000. Thou
NEW YORK: Singer Sets $1 Million Target for Her AIDS Charity: Wall Street Journal (09.30.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Shelly Banjo; Alicia Keys is introducing a new $1 million initiative, Buy Life, for her AIDS charity Keep a Child Alive. The singer will announce the effort at the group s Black Ball fundraiser tonight in New York City. Print, transit, and Internet ads will feature celebrities wearing T-shirts emblazoned with Buy Life and a bar code
GLOBAL: Atlanta's AIDS Conference: A Regional and Global Perspective: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (09.30.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Alan Bernstein; Eric Hunter; This week more than a thousand of the world s experts on HIV/AIDS vaccine science gathered in Atlanta to attend AIDS Vaccine 2010, the leading international meeting focused specifically on HIV vaccine research and development. The [US National HIV/AIDS Strategy, released in July] is critically important and forward-th
TEXAS: Samaritan House's Original Supper Club Has Changed over the Years: Fort Worth Star Telegram (09.06.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Jan Jarvis; In October 1993, the Samaritan House opened for HIV-positive homeless adults in Fort Worth. That same year, four men - Dennis O Reilly, Ray Bronner, Michael Clark, and Russ Simon - founded the Original Supper Club (OSC), a monthly meal designed for the 25 or so of Samaritan s residents to get to know one another. Since
CAMEROON; CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Did Doctors Jumpstart the HIV Pandemic?: Reuters Health (09.23.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Frederik Joelving; Two new studies suggest a health care link as HIV evolved from a chimp s infection, possibly transmitted to bush meat hunters by bite or blood, to its earliest human dissemination and global spread. Scientists have theorized that the HIV pandemic was sparked after colonial-era urbanization fueled changes in sexual beha
CHINA: China Needs to Upgrade Health Care Infrastructure: Researcher: Xinhua News Agency (09.09.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Health care is one of the biggest challenges facing China , Dr. David Ho, director and CEO of the New York-based Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center (ADARC), said recently. Health care must be fixed, or it will be a huge obstacle for China s development, said Ho, a native of
GLOBAL: AIDS: Will Funding Levels Limit Treatment?: Voice of America News (09.29.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; Joe DeCapua; Supporters of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria say $20 billion is needed to replenish its resources and expand its grant programs. Many, however, believe it is unlikely donors will commit to this amount at next week s funding meeting. We re kind of at a crucial moment in terms of the fight against HIV, sa
GLOBAL: Push for HIV Vaccine Gets Stronger: CBC.ca (Canada) (09.29.10) - Thursday, September 30, 2010; The researchers, advocates, policymakers, and funders gathered in Atlanta this week for AIDS Vaccine 2010 are learning about the latest advances in the field and as well as the formidable challenges remaining in the search for a vaccine. Last year s conference in Paris announced the first modestly effective human vacci
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe Deputy Prime Minister Khupe Says Poverty Biggest Challenge in Stopping HIV: Voice of America News (09.27.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; Sandra Nyaira; Speaking Monday at a UNAIDS conference on halting the HIV epidemic among women and girls, Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe said poverty presents the biggest challenge to anti-AIDS efforts in Zimbabwe . Poverty undermines the ability of young girls and women to protect themselves from the epidemic, as most adopt co
HAWAII: CDC Awards TB Testing Contract: Associated Press (09.29.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; Diagnostic Laboratory Services Inc. of Hawaii said Tuesday it has been awarded a five-year contract from CDC to continue clinical lab testing for TB in the Pacific region. The work covers American Samoa , the Northern Mariana Islands , the
MISSISSIPPI: Sex Education Bill Likely Offering in 2011: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (09.27.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; Elizabeth Crisp; Mississippi s recently held Joint Legislative Budget Committee hearings are seen by some as an indicator of issues the Legislature is likely to tackle in January, and one of those is sex education. State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier and some lawmakers are advocating a comprehensive policy for the classes. If we go w
KANSAS: Sergeant's Case a Cautionary Tale of STDs: Wichita Eagle (09.23.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; Deb Gruver; Sedgwick County s health department is using the case of an Air Force sergeant accused of having unprotected sex without disclosing his HIV-positive status as a teachable moment. And a warning. Almost all the county s syphilis cases can be traced back to anonymous sexual encounters that began online, health department
NEW MEXICO: Albuquerque Public Schools Can't Control Clinics: Albuquerque Journal (09.25.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; Hailey Heinz; State law trumps school district policy regarding whether condoms and birth control are dispensed at school-based clinics, Albuquerque Public Schools officials say. The University of New Mexico (UNM) operates the clinics in a partnership with APS. Current APS policy bars birth control from being provided at school site
TENNESSEE: Outpatient HIV/AIDS Treatment Facility Moves to Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks: Out & About (Nashville) (09.22.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; Nashville s Comprehensive Care Center (CCC) HIV/AIDS outpatient treatment program is moving to the Vanderbilt Health One Hundred Oaks facility as of Oct. 4. Also moving to the location are the Vanderbilt AIDS Center s clinical research programs and Nashville Pharmacy Services, whose specialty is HIV therapy. Following
UNITED STATES: Examining Future Adolescent Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Uptake, With and Without a School Mandate: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 47; No. 3: P. 242-248.e6 (09..10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; Amanda F. Dempsey, MD, PhD, MPH; David Mendez, PhD; The aim of the current study was to develop a model of adolescent human papillomavirus vaccine utilization that explored future HPV vaccination rates, with and without a school mandate, for the vaccine at middle school entry. The investigators developed a dynamic, population-based, compartmental model that estimated HP
GLOBAL: World Failing to Meet 2010 HIV/AIDS Care Target: UN: Agence France Presse (09.28.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; The world will not achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS care, treatment, and prevention by the end of this year, though the goal is within clear reach in a number of countries, according to a new joint report by the World Health Organization (WHO), UNAIDS and UNICEF. UN member states pledged four years ago to reac
UNITED STATES: Institute of Medicine Recommends Changes for People with HIV/AIDS to Qualify for Disability: Dallas Voice (09.24.10) - Wednesday, September 29, 2010; David Taffet; The Institute of Medicine (IOM) recently provided guidance to the Social Security Administration on updating its Listings of Impairments - a tool that helps SSA quickly assess whether someone with HIV or another condition qualifies for benefits. The HIV/AIDS listings were last updated in 1993. The following are the new
UNITED STATES: Need a Condom? Check Your Hotel Room's Mini-Bar: Los Angeles Times (09.27.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; Thompson Hotels - a boutique lodging chain with properties in Los Angeles, New York City, Washington, Chicago, and Toronto - this month began offering condoms for sale in its in-room mini-bars. The packaging by Charlotte Ronson incorporates pastel colors and the fashion designer s signature logo. We wanted to make them
RHODE ISLAND: Walk for Life Turns 25 in Year of Budget Cuts: Providence Journal-Bulletin (09.27.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; Sunday s 25th anniversary Walk for Life in Providence attracted about 600 participants, double last year s number, according to AIDS Project Rhode Island. The day began with a statehouse rally, at which advocates called for the restoration of funds cut from the AIDS programming budget for 2011. Stephen Hourahan, execut
ARKANSAS: Arkansas Medical School Researcher Gets $3.3 Million US Grant: Associated Press (09.27.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; A researcher at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences has been awarded a five-year, $3.3 million grant from the National Institutes of Health. Mayumi Nakagawa, MD, PhD, will use the money to conduct a Phase I clinical trial of a therapeutic vaccine against human papillomavirus. Prophylactic HPV vaccines are n
NORTH CAROLINA: Guilford Agency Boosts HIV Testing Message: Times-News (Burlington) (09.22.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; McClatchy News Service; The Guilford County Department of Public Health and the National Association of People with AIDS are stressing the importance for men, particularly men who have sex with men, to know their HIV status. It is crucial for everyone to know their HIV status, said Merle Green, county health director. Please take advantage of
MARYLAND: In Baltimore Visit, Young Zimbabwean Extols Lifesaving HIV Treatment: Baltimore Sun (09.25.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; Scott Calvert; Tichaona Mudhobhi, a 20-year-old Zimbabwean, is crossing the United States on a six-week speaking tour sponsored by Catholic Relief Services. Near CRS headquarters in downtown Baltimore, Mudhobhi recently met with 25 other HIV-positive youths to share their experiences living with the virus. The summit, held at the
MINNESOTA: Outbreak of Hepatitis C Investigated: Hastings Star-Gazette (09.23.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; Chad Richardson; Over the summer, 16 Dakota County residents, including 12 people ages 16-26 from the Hastings area, were diagnosed with hepatitis C, the Minnesota Department of Health (MDOH) reports, and a rise in heroin use may be to blame. We know that of the 16 cases in this cluster, at least nine reported injection drug use, said
EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Study Dates HIV Ancestor to at Least 32,000 Years Ago: New York Times (09.17.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; New research suggests that the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) lineage was already circulating in monkeys and apes at least 32,000 years ago. During the millennia since, humans would have been exposed to it countless times as they butchered monkeys for food. However, only between the 1800s and 1959 did a human infe
ZIMBABWE; UNITED STATES: Facebook a Stage for AIDS Rape Documentary: Agence France Presse (09.27.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; On Tuesday, filmmaker Michealene Risley will be interviewed at the Facebook Live studio in Palo Alto, Calif., just hours before her documentary on rape and AIDS myths debuts in more than 100 US theatres. Tapestries of Hope spotlights the myth, common in Zimbabwe , that sex with a virgin cures HIV/AIDS. The film was ins
UNITED STATES: Brian Bond on AIDS Awareness Day: The Advocate (09.27.10) - Tuesday, September 28, 2010; The White House liaison to the LGBT community marked Monday, National Gay Men s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, with a commentary calling for a renewed commitment to fight the disease among men who have sex with men. According to CDC estimates, MSM account for just 4 percent of the US male population over age 13, but we accoun
LOUISIANA: HPV Vaccines Available at Student Health Center: Daily Reveille (Louisiana State Univ-Baton Rouge) (09.22.10) - Monday, September 27, 2010; Sydni Dunn; Louisiana State University health experts are urging males and females alike to take advantage of discounted human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines at the Student Health Center (SHC). College students are beginning sexual activity, more unprotected sex is going on, and the chance of spread is much greater, said Jason Walk
MINNESOTA: Making 'The Talk' Easier Among Hmong Moms, Girls: Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (09.11.10) - Monday, September 27, 2010; Jeremy Olson; The goal of Planned Parenthood-Minnesota s first-ever retreat for Hmong mothers and grandmothers, and their US-born daughters and granddaughters, was to foster a helpful dialogue about sexuality. Having led similar retreats for Hispanics and other minorities, PPM saw a need in the Hmong community, which has disproporti
PENNSYLVANIA: A Free Precaution; Group Offers HIV, STD Tests, Prevention Information: Patriot News (Harrisburg) (09.18.10) - Monday, September 27, 2010; Dana Fishlock; AIDS Community Alliance (ACA) of South Central Pennsylvania has partnered with eight other organizations to bring free HIV testing to gay bars, public housing complexes, and church breakfasts across the region. Statewide, the outreach has been a huge success, said Steve Kowelski, senior public health adviser for the st
ILLINOIS: Churches Screen for HIV: Chicago Tribune (09.27.10) - Monday, September 27, 2010; Kristen Schorsch; HIV awareness was a prominent feature of First Ladies Health Day, which more than two-dozen predominantly black Chicago churches celebrated on Sunday. The congregations, with a combined membership of about 35,000, participated as a way to remove the stigma associated with screening for the virus. We wanted to increase
UNITED STATES: The Role of Cytology (Pap Tests) and Human Papillomavirus Testing in Anal Cancer Screening: AIDS Vol. 24; No. 9: P. 1307-1313 (06.01.10) - Monday, September 27, 2010; Irving E. Salit; Alice Lytwyn; Janet Raboud; Marie Sano; Sylvia Chong; Christina Diong; William Chapman; James B. Mahony; Jill Tinmouth; In the current study, investigators assessed anal oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) and anal cytology as screening tests for detecting high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN 2+), since this is an immediate precursor to anal cancer. A cross-sectional study of 401 HIV-positive men who have sex with men was performe
ASIA: Australia Assists Reproductive Health Care: Australian Associated Press (09.15.10) - Monday, September 27, 2010; Ron Corben; Australia is funding the publication of a UN and World Health Organization reproductive health field manual aimed at assisting refugee women displaced by conflict or natural disaster in Burma . Health care workers and volunteers on the Thai-Burmese border gathered in Bangkok on Sept.
FLORIDA: AIDS, HIV Patients Getting Help from Pharmaceutical Companies: Miami Herald (09.27.10) - Monday, September 27, 2010; Fred Tasker; Drug companies have stepped in to assist low-income Floridians needing HIV/AIDS medicines following reductions in the state- sponsored AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Florida s ADAP provides free treatment to more than 11,000 HIV/AIDS patients. Millions of Floridians have lost their jobs and health insurance, and unemplo
CONNECTICUT: Bristol to Remember Those Affected by HIV/AIDS: Bristol Press (09.08.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; On Oct. 6 at 6 p.m., the city of Bristol will pause for an hour in honor of those affected by HIV/AIDS. Participants will gather at 5:45 p.m. at a non-denominational ceremony on the Federal Hill Green to receive candles and to add to a list of those to be remembered. It is the 19th year the Bristol Mayor s Task Force o
GEORGIA: Ga. State Gets $6.7 Million Grant for Health Disparities: Associated Press (09.22.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; The National Institutes of Health has awarded Georgia State University a five-year, $6.7 million grant to help found the Center for Excellence in Health Disparities Research. The center will study health care in the urban poor and examine the role of churches in reducing HIV transmission and drug use. It also will look
UNITED STATES: Roche Gets Approval for New Hepatitis Test: Bloomberg Businessweek (09.22.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; Associated Press; On Wednesday, the Swiss drug maker Roche said it has received Food and Drug Administration approval for its automated Cobas Ampliprep/Cobas Taqman test to detect hepatitis B virus in human plasma. Approximately 1.2 million people in the United States have chronic hepatitis B. Government guidelines recommend monitoring
UNITED STATES: HIV Remains a Gay Disease: Washington Blade (09.23.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; Daniel O'Neill; Monday is National Gay Men s HIV Awareness Day (NGMHAD), a new addition to the growing list of CDC-sponsored efforts to draw attention to the disproportionate toll this disease takes on certain high-risk populations. As highlighted in the recent National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the plight of gay and bisexual men has taken
NEW YORK: Federal Cash Boosts Outreach Programs: Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) (09.14.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; Cathleen F. Crowley; Two Albany-based non-profit organizations now can boost their health promotion work thanks to new federal funding. The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York (ACNNY) won a $1.3 million CDC grant, the largest in the council s 26-year history, while Addictions Care Center of Albany (ACCA) received $1.5 million from the US
CALIFORNIA: HIV Testing: Why Aren't More People Doing It?: KPBS.org (San Diego) (09.26.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; Kenny Goldberg; Stigma still makes people reluctant, even afraid, to get screened for HIV, health officials say. And yet an HIV diagnosis is the first step to care, treatment, and learning how to avoid transmitting the virus to others. We have to bring it out in the open, make it not a fearful thing to get a test, said Terri Ford of t
UNITED STATES: HIV Research Lacks Women in Trials: Cincinnati Enquirer (09.20.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; Peggy O'Farrell; Researchers need to find ways to make clinical trials more inclusive of women, according to Judith Feinberg, an infectious-disease expert at the University of Cincinnati. Jobs, child care, and transportation often affect whether women complete clinical trials, which can last for a year or longer and require multiple do
NEPAL: Teen Radio Show Breaks Taboos in Nepal: Agence France Presse (09.08.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; In Kathmandu, two radio presenters in their early 20s regularly record a popular radio program that answers teens questions about life. Launched with UNICEF support nine years ago, Chatting with My Best Friend discusses HIV/AIDS and other life issues for a weekly audience of 6 million. Originally 30 minutes in length,
UNITED STATES: One in Five Gay, Bisexual Men in US Cities Have HIV: Reuters (09.23.10) - Friday, September 24, 2010; Julie Steenhuysen; A CDC study of men who have sex with men (MSM) in 21 major cities found nearly one in five are infected with HIV, and 44 percent did not know it. CDC researchers tested 8,153 MSM participating in the 2008 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance System. Overall, 19 percent were HIV-positive. The highest infection rate, 28
MICHIGAN: Michigan State University's Evans Scholars Hosting AIDS Walk: Lansing State Journal (09.21.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Vickki Dozier; Sunday s AIDS Walk in East Lansing, which supports the Lansing Area AIDS Network, will get underway with registration at 10 a.m., followed by the 5K at 1 p.m. The fundraiser at Valley Court Park will feature emcee Tim Barron from WQTX-FM, the Greater Lansing Gay Men s Chorus, the Equality Band of Michigan, and other pe
CALIFORNIA: Health Care Community Forums: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (09.23.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Cynthia Laird; Two upcoming forums in San Francisco are planned to help individuals navigate the new federal health care reform program. The LGBT Health and Human Service Network, a project of the Equality California Institute, will host a discussion about the law s impact on the gay community on Sept. 27 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Sched
ZIMBABWE: Zimbabwe Drops Charges Against Members of Medical Team: CNN.com (09.23.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Today in a Harare magistrate court, Zimbabwe s government dropped its charges against six health workers who had been accused of dispensing HIV/AIDS medication without a license. The six - four Americans, a New Zealander, and a Zimbabwean - had maintained their innocence. The Americans are members of Allen Temple Bapti
NEW JERSEY: At Drew University, Safe Sex Is No Longer Free: Asbury Park Press (09.21.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Laura Bruno; Drew University s decision to no longer offer a basket of free condoms in the lobby of its student health services department on account of theft and cost has come under fire from students. At the end of the last school year, the health services department decided it would not replace the basket of free condoms after p
FLORIDA: Vivica Fox Throws Star Power Behind HIV/AIDS Awareness: South Florida Times (Ft. Lauderdale) (09.17.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Brandyss Howard; More than 200 people attended the second annual Blackout HIV/AIDS awareness event at Club BED in South Beach, which featured an appearance by movie star Vivica A. Fox. Attendees received gift bags containing condoms and educational pamphlets, while a projector flashed HIV/AIDS statistics overhead. Some of the event s p
LOUISIANA: Three Groups Get Grants to Fight HIV/AIDS: Times-Picayune (New Orleans) (09.22.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Bill Barrow; On Tuesday, three New Orleans non-profits announced they will share a combined $5 million in CDC grants during the next five years to combat HIV/AIDS in the region. Recent federal data show that the New Orleans metropolitan area is one of the areas hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Just half of New Orleanians infected are recei
UNITED STATES: Sexual Health, Risk Behaviors and Substance Use in Heterosexual-Identified Women with Female Sex Partners: 2002 US National Survey of Family Growth: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 9: P. 531-537 (09..10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Greta R. Bauer; Jennifer A. Jairam; Shamara M. Baidoobonso; The phenomenon in which people engage in same-sex sexuality without espousing a sexual minority identity has rarely been studied in women, the authors wrote. The current study used data from the 2002 US National Survey of Family Growth to compare a subset of women - heterosexuals ages 20 to 44 who had one or more femal
AUSTRALIA: Aussies Ill-Informed on Sexual Health: Australian Associated Health (09.22.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Danny Rose; A new poll commissioned by GlaxoSmithKline on behalf of its The Facts campaign about genital herpes finds many young Australians do not practice safe sex or seek testing for STDs. According to responses from 1,000 Australians ages 18-25, 63 percent reported having unprotected sex while 65 percent said they had never be
UNITED STATES: Health Danger of Parties Past: Wall Street Journal (09.20.10) - Thursday, September 23, 2010; Melinda Beck; Some two-thirds of hepatitis C diagnoses are in middle-aged people, who may have become infected decades ago during their risk-taking younger days. Many are still unaware they have the virus, which can be asymptomatic for decades while damaging the liver. Any blood-to-blood transmission route can spread [hepatitis C],
GEORGIA: Gay Styx Founder Rocks Atlanta HIV Research: Project Q Atlanta (09.09.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Chuck Panozzo, the bassist who co-founded the 1970s rock band Styx, has signed on as a spokesperson for Atlanta-based GeoVax and its HIV/AIDS vaccine trials. He agreed to accept the role after meeting the firm s lead scientist, Harriet Robinson, at an AIDS benefit. I was sincerely touched by her success and determinati
NEW YORK: HIV/AIDS Protesters Demand Action: The Guardian (London) (09.21.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Dozens of activists demanded more support for HIV/AIDS efforts Monday during a march from midtown Manhattan to UN headquarters, where world leaders have gathered to assess progress on the Millennium Development Goals. We are here to remind President Barack Obama he promised to save the lives of millions of people, and
GLOBAL: Prime Minister Commits $540 Million to Disease Fight: Toronto Star (09.22.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Associated Press; In a speech at UN headquarters Tuesday, Prime Minister Stephen Harper enumerated Canada s contributions in the areas of food aid, child and maternal health, and aid accountability. His office, meanwhile, announced that Canada will give $540 million (US $523 million) during a three-year period to the Global Fund to Figh
PENNSYLVANIA: Non-Profit Group Marks 25 Years in Fight Against HIV, AIDS: Reading Eagle (09.20.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Erin Negley; Co-County Wellness Services (CCWS) will celebrate its 25th anniversary this fall. The non-profit was founded by a group of medical and social workers, clergy, and gay activists, responding to a growing epidemic in Berks County. Today, it is the only organization offering HIV and STD services in Berks and Schuykill coun
MALAWI: HIV Said to Differ in Blood, Semen: News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (08.25.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Katelyn Ferral; HIV in seminal plasma differs from HIV in blood plasma, according to a study led by researchers with the University of North Carolina (UNC)-Chapel Hill. The study examined in detail the genetic population of HIV, specifically the env gene for HIV s envelope, in both blood and semen. If everything we know about HIV is b
UNITED KINGDOM: One in Four Youngsters 'Not Using Contraception': The Guardian (London) (09.20.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; UK Press Association; A quarter of sexually active Britons under age 24 do not use any form of contraception with a new partner, according to results from a new worldwide survey by Marie Stopes International. That is an increase of 5 percent from 2009, suggesting that British authorities need to make sexual health and relationships educatio
AUSTRALIA: Anti-Circumcision Stance Must End to Fight HIV, Australian Researchers Say: Bloomberg News (09.19.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Simeon Bennett; In an opinion piece published this week, three researchers called on the Royal Australasian College of Physicians to reverse its policy recommending against routine circumcision of newborn boys. Circumcision of males is now referred to by many as a surgical vaccine against a wide variety of infections and adverse medic
GLOBAL: UN: Progress Being Made on Combating HIV/AIDS: Voice of America News (09.21.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Margaret Besheer; Some countries with the largest epidemics - including South Africa , Zimbabwe , and Nigeria - are leading the drop in HIV infections in Africa, UN officials say. Through Wednesday, UN member nations are meeting in New York to assess progress toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 201
SOUTH CAROLINA: S.C. Prisons Brace for Lawsuit over Inmates with HIV: Associated Press (09.21.10) - Wednesday, September 22, 2010; Meg Kinnard; Despite a Wednesday deadline from the US Justice Department to change the practice, South Carolina says it will continue to segregate HIV-positive inmates. More than 400 inmates with HIV/AIDS are housed together at maximum security prisons in Columbia, including some who otherwise would not be in high- security facilit
OHIO: HIV Testing at the Center Begins Sept. 27: Out in Toledo (09.01.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; In partnership with Stonewall Columbus, the Columbus AIDS Task Force will begin offering weekly HIV testing Sept. 27. The walk-in only service will be provided at no charge on Mondays from 1 to 6 p.m. upstairs at the Center on High, 1160 N. High St., Columbus.
MICHIGAN: Health Department Imposter Giving HIV Info: WOODTV.com (Grand Rapids) (09.17.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; The Kent County Health Department is warning that someone impersonating a KCHD employee has been calling residents at random and providing false and misleading information about their HIV status. At least six such calls have been reported, KCHD said in a statement. All of the staff at the Health Department takes patien
CALIFORNIA: LGBT Non-Profits Hurt by Recession: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.26.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; Seth Hemmelgarn; HIV/AIDS service organizations are among the many Bay Area non-profits that report declines in funding due to the recession, according to a new survey by the San Francisco- based Horizons Foundation. Ninety-six percent of 52 responding agencies that work with LGBT clients reported they had been hurt by the downturn.
UNITED STATES: National Quality Forum Performance Measures for HIV/AIDS Care: Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 170; No. 14: P. 1239-1246 (07.26.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; Lisa I. Backus, MD, PhD; Derek B. Boothroyd, PhD; Barbara R. Phillips, PhD; Pamela S. Belperio, PharmD; James P. Halloran, RN, MSN, CNS; Ronald O. Valdeserri, MD, MPH; Larry A. Mole, PharmD; Information technology promises to improve health care through reporting of standardized quality-of-care measures. In 2008, the National Quality Forum (NQF) first endorsed performance measures for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS care. Little is known about performance on these measures in routine medical pract
AFRICA: Prototype Vaginal Gel Fails to Block HIV: Study: Agence France Presse (09.19.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; Hopes for an effective anti-HIV microbicide were dealt a setback when Phase III results of a major clinical trial found a vaginal gel candidate was safe but ineffective. The PRO 2000 formula uses a large charged polymer to disrupt HIV interaction with targeted cells. PRO 2000 was tested at two levels of concentration -
NIGERIA: Yams and Mosquito Nets on Nigeria's 'Sesame Street': Reuters Life! (09.17.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; Yinka Ibukun; Since its US debut 40 years ago, the children s educational TV program Sesame Street has spread to more than 140 nations. Next month, a version of the show, renamed Sesame Square, and customized to speak to location-specific issues, will debut in Nigeria . When we did the pilot, our focus was orphaned and vulnerable ch
CANADA: Needle-Exchange Site Coming to Port Hope: Northumberland News (09.18.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; Moya Dillon; The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit is leading the effort to establish a syringe-exchange program in Port Hope by the end of 2010. With the support of other community partners, the health unit is currently holding meetings before opening the site, which will operate out of the Port Hope Community
CARIBBEAN: Still Fighting HIV Stigma After 30 Years: Inter Press Service (09.16.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; Peter Richards; At a recent two-day symposium on HIV/AIDS and human rights in the Caribbean, health officials expressed frustration that societies as small and highly personalized as those in the region continue to struggle with AIDS stigma and discrimination. The symposium was organized by the University of the West Indies in collabo
OREGON: Court Calls Oregon Sex-Literature Laws Unconstitutional: Los Angeles Times (09.21.10) - Tuesday, September 21, 2010; Carol J. Williams; Two state laws enacted in 2007 to stop child sexual abuse were written so broadly that they criminalize constitutionally protected speech, including sex education, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Monday. The lawsuit was brought by health organizations including Planned Parenthood and Cascade AIDS Project, boo
FLORIDA: Police Send STD Info to Suspects in Prostitution Sting: Daytona Beach News-Journal (09.16.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Andrew Gant; Daytona Beach Police have been running sting operations in areas where cruising for prostitutes and drugs is common, bringing in about 50 people so far this month. Those arrested for solicitation receive a packet mailed from Police Chief Mike Chitwood. A letter from the chief details the time and place of the arrest an
ILLINOIS: Groups' HIV Expo Focuses on African Americans: Windy City Times (Chicago) (09.15.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Mason Harrison; HIV/AIDS impact on the black community was the topic of a six-hour expo held Sept. 11 at the Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center on Chicago s South Side. Funded through an educational grant from drug maker Merck, the event was hosted by the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care and the Association o
TEXAS: Miss America to Serve AIDS Walk 2010: Austin American-Statesman (09.16.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Monica Cardenas; AIDS Services of Austin has announced that Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron will serve as honorary chair of AIDS Walk Austin 2010. The walk will be held on Oct. 17. Cameron, who lost an uncle to AIDS, will deliver a speech before the walk steps off. A kickoff party is scheduled for Sept. 30 at Whole Foods Market, 525
PENNSYLVANIA: Valley Activists Still Fighting: FACT Continues to Raise Money and Awareness About AIDS: Morning Call (Allentown, PA) (09.11.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Arlene Martinez; FACT (Fighting AIDS Continuously Together) marks its 25th anniversary this month. The Lehigh Valley non-profit s longevity surprises even board members like Lou James, who recalls that in the late 1980s, some experts were predicting a cure for HIV within four years. Providing those affected by HIV/AIDS with a better li
MONTANA: Helena Tweaks Sex Education Policy Following Criticism: Associated Press (09.15.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Matt Gouras; At a Tuesday night school board meeting, Helena School District Superintendent Bruce Messinger proposed a new sex education policy that officials say incorporates feedback from parents who complained that an earlier version was too graphic and went into too much detail. A hearing earlier this summer saw parents angry a
NEW MEXICO: Public Misled on Condoms?: Albuquerque Journal (09.17.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Olivier Uyttebrouck; On Thursday, health experts insisted that an Albuquerque Public School board member was wrong when he said condoms are ineffective against STDs and HIV. Board member David Robbins on Wednesday criticized condoms efficacy during an APS board discussion about school-based health clinics. Every major medical and public he
UNITED STATES: Assessing Targeted Screening and Low Rates of HIV Testing: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 9: P. 1765- 1768 (09..10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Leigh A. Kennedy, DO; Fred M. Gordin, MD; Virginia L. Kan, MD; At the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Washington, D.C., (VAMC-DC), written informed consent along with HIV pretest and post-test counseling had, until recently, been required by federal law, explained the study authors. They sought to assess rates of HIV testing at VAMC-DC based on targeting patients with identifie
AFRICA: Hard-Hit Africa Leads Fall in New HIV Infections: UN: Reuters (09.17.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Kate Kelland; A new UNAIDS report charting progress toward the Millennium Development Goals finds that between 2001 and 2009, new HIV infections dropped by more than 25 percent in 22 of the sub- Saharan countries hit hardest by HIV/AIDS. A key MDG is halting and reversing the spread of HIV/AIDS by 2015.
NEW YORK: N.Y. Governor Vetoes Popular AIDS, HIV Housing Bill: Associated Press (09.19.10) - Monday, September 20, 2010; Michael Gormley; On Sunday, Gov. David Paterson vetoed a bill that would have provided housing assistance for low-income HIV/AIDS patients, saying the state cannot afford its $20 million annual cost. This is my most difficult veto, said Paterson. I recognize, sadly, the history of the inadequacy of services government has brought to be
CANADA: AIDS Walk Ups Cool Factor: Niagara This Week (Thorold, Ontario) (09.16.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; Steve Henschel; Live AIDS Niagara is the theme of AIDS Niagara s 18th annual AIDS Walk for Life this Sunday in St. Catharines. Amanda Hemingway, an AIDS Niagara representative, said the event is one of the largest fundraisers for the non-profit. The walk steps off at 1 p.m., and a free concert with numerous bands will continue until
GEORGIA: Georgia Health Department Teams Up with Melissa Carter for HIV Town Hall: GA Voice (Atlanta) (09.13.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; Ryan Watkins; Rising HIV/AIDS rates among men who have sex with men will be the topic of a town hall meeting hosted by the Georgia Department of Community Health s HIV Unit on Friday, Sept. 24. Members of the HIV Unit will participate in a panel discussion together with DJ Melissa Carter of Q100-FM. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m. a
UNITED STATES: Childhood Vaccination Rates Remain High, CDC Says: Los Angeles Times (09.16.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; CDC reported Thursday that US immunization rates for the most common childhood diseases continue to remain near or above the 90 percent target coverage level. Less than 1 percent of children had received no vaccines at all. Coverage for the newest vaccines - including hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and rotovirus - continued
TEXAS: Forums Planned to Gather Ideas from Community Will Focus on Strategies to Prevent HIV Infection: Dallas Voice (09.17.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; David Taffet; Dallas County has experienced a 30 percent increase in HIV cases over the last six years, and 14,000 residents now are living with the disease. In response, county Health and Human Services Department officials announced Thursday they are forming a new partnership with AIDS Arms and Resource Center Dallas (RCD) to devi
ARKANSAS: Sanatorium's History Treating Tuberculosis Recalled in 100th Year: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (09.12.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; Dave Hughes; On Saturday, about 600 people are expected to mark the 100th anniversary of the Arkansas Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Booneville. ATS saw 70,000 patients at its 900-acre complex between 1910 to 1973. The commemoration will include a dedication of the ATS museum, remarks by local and state dignitaries, screening of a docu
UNITED STATES: Spectrum of Cancer Risk Late After AIDS Onset in the United States: Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 170; No. 15: P. 1337-1345 (08.09.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; Edgar P. Simard, PhD, MPH; Ruth M. Pfeiffer, PhD; Eric A. Engels, MD, MPH; Persons living with AIDS today remain at elevated cancer risk. Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), widely available since 1996, prolongs life, but immune function is not fully restored, noted the study authors, who assessed long-term cancer risk among persons with AIDS relative to the general population and
AUSTRALIA: No Injecting Room for Melbourne: Premier: Australian Associated Press (09.15.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; Victoria officials say they will not establish a supervised injection center in Melbourne, a response made after officials in New South Wales said they are introducing legislation making Sydney s Medically Supervised Injecting Center permanent. Victoria s government believes such an approach is not appropriate for Melb
AUSTRALIA: Drug Experts Support Injecting Center: Australian Associated Press (09.15.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; Danny Rose; New South Wales Premier Kristina Keneally announced Wednesday that she will introduce legislation that would end the pilot status of Sydney s Medically Supervised Injecting Center (MSIC), making its operation within the health system permanent. Open as a pilot for nine years, MSIC is the only center in New South Wales
NEW YORK: New HIV Testing Practices Will Improve Screening and Early Diagnosis: Empire State News (Middleton) (09.15.10) - Friday, September 17, 2010; A state law that took effect this month will make HIV testing more accessible and improve the linkage of HIV-positive people to care and treatment, health officials say. An estimated 20 percent of state residents with HIV do not know they are infected, and 33 percent of patients newly diagnosed with HIV progress to AID
ILLINOIS: AIDS Walk Galesburg Starts at Mall Saturday: Register Mail (Galesburg) (09.15.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Saturday, Sept. 18, is the date for AIDS Walk Galesburg, which is being produced by the HIV/AIDS Task Force of Western Illinois. The 1.4-mile route starts inside the Sandburg Mall and proceeds to Inbinder Park. The $15 registration fee will be waived for walkers who collect $200 or more in pledges. Registration starts
FLORIDA: AIDS Walk St. Pete 2010 Raises $60,000: Watermark (Orlando) (09.15.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Al Bassett; The seventh annual AIDS Walk St. Petersburg, held on Saturday in North Shore Park, raised more than $60,000 for the AIDS Service Association of Pinellas. Although the amount collected fell short of the goal of $100,000, organizers were grateful, since a major storm forced the cancellation of the walk last year. Since 2
MALAWI: Malawi Rules Out Circumcision for AIDS Prevention: Washington Post (09.16.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Associated Press; The government of Malawi will not promote male circumcision to fight HIV because there is not enough evidence to show it protects against the virus, two officials said Wednesday. Mary Shaba, the principal secretary for HIV and AIDS, said there is no scientific proof of circumcision s protective effect. Bernard Malango,
FLORIDA: Health Care Conference Targets HIV/AIDS: South Florida Gay News (Wilton Manors, Fla.) (09.14.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; County statistics show that nine out of 10 HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the Miami metropolitan area involve a patient who is black, Latino or Asian. The particular needs of this patient population are the subject of an educational initiative that will be presented on Sept. 18 in Coral Gables. The program, Optimizing Care for
MINNESOTA: Hepatitis C Cases Spike this Summer in Dakota County: St. Paul Pioneer Press (09.03.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Maricella Miranda; Health authorities in Dakota County have seen an upsurge in hepatitis C infections this summer, and they cite needle sharing among injection drug users as the cause. The Minnesota Department of Health (DOH) logged 16 new hepatitis C cases in Dakota County in July and August, said Richard Danila, the state s lead deputy
UNITED STATES: Human Papillomavirus Vaccine Acceptability Among a National Sample of Adult Women in the USA: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 3: P. 304-309 (08..10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Nathan W. Stupiansky; Susan L. Rosenthal; Sarah E. Wiehe; Gregory D. Zimet; The United States currently licenses the human papillomavirus vaccine for females ages nine to 26; licensure for women over 26 is being considered. The current study aims to investigate the association of sociodemographic and health-related factors to HPV vaccine acceptability among adult women. A nationally repres
FRANCE: HIV Spread 'Out of Control' Among French Gay Men: Reuters (09.08.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Kate Kelland; In France , HIV incidence decreased between 2003 and 2008 even as it remained high and stable among men who have sex with men (MSM), according to a new study. This suggests French officials need to revise and renew prevention strategies to ensure those most at risk of infection are targeted, said study authors with the
CHINA: China Says HIV Among Migrant Workers a Concern: Agence France Presse (09.14.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Chinese Health Minister Chen Zhu said Tuesday he is concerned about the fast spread of HIV/AIDS among migrant workers. My major concern about our situation is the migrant population because the health service towards the migrant population has yet to be improved, Chen said. China had around 211 million migrant work
UNITED KINGDOM: Divorcees Targeted in First-Ever Sexual Health Campaign for Over-50s: The Telegraph (London) (09.14.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Martin Beckford; In light of recent data showing nearly 13,000 UK men and women over age 45 were diagnosed with an STD last year, the sexual health charity FPA is launching what is considered the first awareness campaign specifically targeting the over-50 set. There is very little sexual health information and services for the over-50s
UNITED STATES: CDC: One-Third of Sex Education Omits Birth Control: Associated Press (09.15.10) - Thursday, September 16, 2010; Mike Stobbe; A new CDC survey shows about 97 percent of teens report receiving formal sex education by age 18, though around one- third of those students were not taught about birth control methods. From 2006 to 2008, CDC-sponsored University of Michigan staffers conducted face-to-face interviews with nearly 2,800 teenagers in thei
NEW YORK: County Public Health Department Offers Free HPV Vaccines: Steuben Courier (09.14.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Bath Courier; The Steuben County Public Health Department has begun offering free human papillomavirus vaccinations for men and women ages 19 to 26. Two vaccines are available; both are delivered as a three-shot series and target the strains of HPV linked to most cases of cervical cancer. For more information or to schedule an appoi
UNITED STATES: National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day: South Florida Gay News (Wilton Manors, Fla.) (09.14.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Saturday is designated as National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day. On Wednesday in south Florida, the Pride Center at Equality Park will host a free seminar on the health and legal issues confronting seniors living with HIV/AIDS. Scheduled to speak are Scott Schoettes, Lambda Legal HIV Project staff attorney; Carl M.
GLOBAL: Maternal Deaths Fall 34 Percent, Still Above UN Target: Reuters (09.15.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Laura MacInnis; The World Health Organization reported today that the number of women dying from complications of pregnancy and childbirth has fallen by 34 percent since 1990. Factors credited for the improvement include better training for midwives, enhanced family planning programs, and improved delivery services and post-natal care
MISSOURI: McCaskill Blasts Cochran VA Center: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (09.10.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; David Hunn; Dental equipment sterilization lapses at the John A. Cochran Medical Center in St. Louis have been addressed successfully, according to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), who visited the facility on Sept. 9. However, she added that the hospital must improve the way it serves patients. A routine inspection in March disclose
UNITED KINGDOM: New Test Gives One-Hour TB Diagnosis: Scientists: Agence France Presse (09.15.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Scientists with the Health Protection Agency have developed a new test that can diagnose TB within one hour, the agency says. Data on the ultra-rapid test are being presented today at the University of Warwick at HPA s annual conference, Health Protection 2010. Standard testing can take up to eight weeks to grow and id
UNITED STATES: The Impact of Community-Based Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening Results on Sexual Risk Behaviors of African-American Adolescents: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 47; No. 1: P. 12-19 (07..10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Sharon R. Sznitman, PhD, and others; The authors examined the effect of a community-based STI screening program on sexual risk behavior among African- Americans ages 14-17. They hypothesized that adolescents testing positive for an STI and receiving post-test counseling would reduce risky sexual practices, whereas STI-negative adolescents would show littl
JAPAN: Japan Good on HIV Globally but Not at Home: UN Executive: Japan Times (Tokyo) (09.09.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Masami Ito; Japan is at the forefront in helping fight HIV/AIDS globally, the executive director of UNAIDS in Tokyo said earlier this month. Japan is the fourth-largest donor to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, noted Michel Sidibe, who was meeting with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and authorities on his fi
UNITED KINGDOM: Dramatic Increase in Sex Disease in Over-50s: Belfast Telegraph (09.13.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Middle-aged men and women in Northern Ireland are increasingly contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), prompting health experts to reiterate the need to undergo regular screenings and practice safer sex. At least 20 percent of new syphilis cases in 2009 were diagnosed in people age 45 and older, while the p
UNITED STATES: AIDS Patients in Florida Have Longest Wait to Get Assistance for Drug Programs: Orlando Sentinel (09.14.10) - Wednesday, September 15, 2010; Marissa Cervallos; Health care reform and the new National HIV/AIDS Strategy were two of the topics addressed by Kathleen Sebelius, secretary of the US Department of Health and Human Services, in a luncheon address Tuesday to the US Conference on AIDS in Orlando, Fla. State funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) is not growing
CANADA: AIDS Walk for Life Has $15,000 Goal: Telegraph-Journal (New Brunswick) (09.08.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Karissa Donkin; Sunday, Sept. 19, is the date for the AIDS Walk for Life in Saint John. As much as it s about raising money, it s also an awareness event, said Julie Dingwell, executive director of AIDS Saint John. If the event reaches its goal of $15,000 (US $14,675), ASJ s president and treasurer have promised to shave their heads,
TEXAS: High-Risk Men Needed for HIV Vaccine Study: Fort Worth Star Telegram (09.14.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Jan Jarvis; Researchers at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas are recruiting participants for a trial to determine if two potential vaccines will stimulate an immune response to HIV. The three-year study is seeking to enroll 40 to 50 healthy, HIV-negative men who have sex with men, as well as transgender
CALIFORNIA: Unlike San Francisco, No Condoms in Jail, Sheriff Says: Sacramento Bee (09.12.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Kim Minugh; Correctional authorities have installed 16 condom machines in the San Francisco County Jail s San Bruno facility, but Sacramento County officials say they have no plans to follow suit. It may be controversial, but I think the larger health education message is important, San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey told the
PENNSYLVANIA: AIDS Walk Campaign Hits the Ground Walking: Philadelphia Gay News (09.09.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Jen Colletta; The 24th annual AIDS Walk Philly, set for Oct. 17, is hoping to attract 15,000 people and raise $500,000 for area HIV/AIDS service organizations. Walk organizers say they aim to raise awareness not only of the event itself but also of some worrying statistics: Every nine-and-a-half minutes someone in the
UNITED STATES: Gilead's Quad HIV Pill Better than Best-Selling Atripla in 48-Week Study: Bloomberg News (09.13.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Tom Randall; In a small Phase II clinical trial, Gilead Sciences Inc. s investigational fixed-dose, single-tablet Quad pill suppressed HIV better than its Atripla. Researchers presented the 48-week data on Monday in Boston at the 2010 Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy. The Quad regimen (elvitegrav
UNITED STATES: Human Papillomavirus Vaccination of Males: Attitudes and Perceptions of Physicians Who Vaccinate Females: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 47; No. 1: P. 3-11 (07..10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Thomas W. Weiss, DrPH; Gregory D. Zimet, PhD; Susan L. Rosenthal, PhD; Susan K. Brenneman, PhD; Jonathan D. Klein, MD; The authors assessed US physicians attitudes and perceptions regarding potential human papillomavirus vaccination of males in a random sample of 2,714 pediatricians and family practitioners identified in administrative claims of a US health plan as HPV vaccinators of females. Of the 595 pediatricians and 499 family pra
GLOBAL: J&J Launches Aid Program for Women, Children: Reuters (09.09.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Ahead of a UN summit later this month, Johnson & Johnson pledged money, drugs, and research support for HIV and TB as part of a five-year, private-sector effort to improve the lives of nearly 120 million women and children annually in the developing world. We have a responsibility to contribute to a future in which
ZIMBABWE: AIDS Workers from Oakland Free on Bail: San Francisco Chronicle (09.14.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Erin Allday; Associated Press; Four East Bay residents on a mission to help AIDS patients and orphans in Zimbabwe were released from a jail there on Monday, three days after being arrested on suspicion of distributing drugs without a proper license. The two nurses, a doctor, and a community volunteer were arrested along with two aid workers from Zim
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Rapid, Discreet Care for Those at Risk of HIV: Washington Post (09.14.10) - Tuesday, September 14, 2010; Leslie Tamura; Rapid-enrollment HIV/AIDS programs such as the one provided by the District s Whitman-Walker Clinic (WWC) are linked to more voluntary HIV testing, early diagnosis, and earlier start of care - key targets in the fight against HIV/AIDS. WWC launched its program in 2008. We built from scratch. We basically flipped everyt
NAMIBIA: Trial of Sterilized HIV-Positive Namibians Delayed: Agence France Presse (09.10.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; After 10 days of hearings, a judge announced on Friday a four- month delay in the case of three HIV-positive women who claim they were involuntarily sterilized during labor at government hospitals. More than 40 women took their allegations about the practice to the health ministry in August 2008; complaints filed by 13
AFRICA: AIDS Doctors, Activists Call for More Health Funds: Associated Press (09.10.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Donna Bryson; If they want international help to fight AIDS, African governments should make good on their pledge to devote more of their own resources to health care, doctors and activists said Friday in Johannesburg. We have to prove ourselves if we are to have the courage to look into the eyes of our children and say, We do care,
UNITED STATES: FDA: Abbott Recalls Some HIV Blood Screening Tests: Dow Jones Newswires (09.09.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Peter Loftus; The Food and Drug Administration said Thursday that Abbott Laboratories has recalled some HIV blood tests after customers complained of calibration failures. Approved by FDA almost a year ago, the Prism HIV O Plus test is used by laboratory professionals. Abbott says it is the first fully automated blood screening test
UNITED STATES: Listen to Stories of AIDS Victims: Orlando Sentinel (09.10.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Paul Kawata; Advances in treatment options, as well as natural limitations of our nation s collective attention span, have contributed to a general decline in the public s sense of urgency when it comes to HIV/AIDS. But while the epidemic has largely fallen off America s radar screen, a cure continues to elude medical researchers,
CALIFORNIA: AIDS Health Project to Change Name, Take on New Leaf Interns: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (09.09.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Heather Cassell; Following its recent acquisition of the New Leaf mental health agency, the University of California-San Francisco s AIDS Health Project is changing its name this month to reflect the broadening of its services. AHP soon will be known as the LGBT Division of the UCSF Department of Psychiatry at San Francisco General Hos
THE NETHERLANDS: Older and Swinging: Need to Identify Hidden and Emerging Risk Groups at STI Clinics: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 86: P. 315-317 (08..10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Nicole H.T.M. Dukers-Muijrers; Anne-Marie Niekamp; Elfi E.H.G. Brouwers; Christian J.P.A. Hoebe; Swingers - heterosexual couples who participate in mate swapping and group sex, and visit sex clubs for couples - comprise a substantial portion of sexually transmitted infection consultations, according to the current study. While the authors noted that identifying STI risk groups is essential for optimal prevention a
CANADA: Critics of Gay Blood Donation Ban See 'Glimmer of Hope' in Ruling Upholding Ban: Canadian Press (09.09.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Allison Jones; Ontario Superior Court Justice Catherine Aitken on Thursday upheld a total ban on blood donations from any man who has ever had sex with a man since 1977. In dismissing a constitutional challenge to the policy, Aitken ruled that Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is not a government entity, so the Charter of Rights does not
ZIMBABWE: US Church Wants to Resume Zimbabwe AIDS Work: Associated Press (09.12.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Donna Bryson; Police in Harare have detained six workers at an AIDS orphanage supported by a California church, claiming they were operating an unlicensed clinic and dispensing medicine without a pharmacist s supervision. The six, five Americans and one Zimbabwean, are due in court Monday, according to their lawyer in Zimbabwe. The
CALIFORNIA: Groups Allege Calif. Agency Shared HIV Patient Data: Associated Press (09.10.10) - Monday, September 13, 2010; Lisa Leff; In what they termed a gross affront to patient confidentiality, three legal groups slammed California health officials for giving personal information about thousands of HIV-positive welfare recipients to a nonprofit HIV service provider. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Northern California, Lambda Legal, a
CALIFORNIA: Oakland Pride Celebrates LGBT Community for First Time in Six Years: Contra Costa Times (09.05.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Sean Maher; Oakland Pride, held last Sunday for the first time in six years, attracted some 50,000 people and included an emphasis on HIV/AIDS. Get Screened Oakland, a project of the mayor s office, set up a lounge offering free rapid-result oral HIV testing. Project Director Marsha Martin said, We have the old epidemic, which peo
MASSACHUSETTS: AIDS Walk of Western Massachusetts: WWLP.com (Springfield) (09.07.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Nate Luscombe; The AIDS Foundation of Western Massachusetts AIDS Walk will be held this Saturday in Springfield s Forest Park. Registration begins at 10 a.m., and the walk/run steps off at 11 a.m. with a festival immediately following. For more information, telephone 413-301-0955 or visit www.aidsfoundationwm.org/walk2010.html.
FLORIDA: AIDS Memorial Quilt Comes to Florida Mall: Orlando Sentinel (09.08.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Kate Santich; In conjunction with next week s 2010 US Conference on AIDS in Orlando, some 20 blocks from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed at the Florida Mall from Friday through Sept. 15. HIV/AIDS is not about facts and figures but about real people who are loved and tragically lost to this lethal disease, said Julie Rhoad,
CANADA: AIDS Walk for Life: Calgary Herald (09.09.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Some 700 people are expected to take part in Sunday s AIDS Walk in Calgary. The money raised will benefit AIDS Calgary s HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and support programs. The Calgary walk is part of the Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life, a series of events across Canada whose proceeds support AIDS service organizations
CALIFORNIA: San Francisco Adapts for Health Reform: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.26.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Bob Roehr; Health care reform may place unsustainable pressure on some safety-net systems created for the uninsured and low-income persons on Medicaid, according to Dr. Mitch Katz, San Francisco s director of health. Overall, I think health reform is good for people who are HIV-positive because, if they are low-income, it is goin
UNITED STATES: Prevalence and Correlates of Trichomonas Vaginalis Infection Among Female US Federal Prison Inmates: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 9: P. 585-590 (09..10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Siobhan Sutcliffe; Sara B. Newman; Andrew Hardick; Charlotte A. Gaydos; Previous studies have noted Trichomonas vaginalis prevalence rates of 22 percent to 47 percent among women entering US jails and state prisons. The authors of the current report sought to determine prevalence of the STD among inmates in two female-only federal prisons in the United States . At the two facilities,
BAHRAIN: No Change Seen in Ban on Entry of People with HIV: Inter Press Service (09.06.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Suad Hamada; Bahrain is among approximately 31 countries that continue to ban entry by people with HIV and deport expatriates found to be infected with the virus. The tiny island nation is highly dependent upon its foreign workforce. Half of Bahrain s 1.05 million-strong labor pool is composed of foreign-born persons in jobs rang
NAMIBIA: Namibian Women with HIV Tell Court of Forced Sterilizations: Agence France Presse (09.09.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Friday is expected to be the final day of testimony in the case of three Namibian women who say they were forcefully sterilized while in labor because they are HIV-positive. Sixteen women are suing the Namibian government for $1.2 million (US $165,000) each for allegedly sterilizing them without their consent. In Augus
CANADA: Blood Donor Ban Upheld: Toronto Star (09.10.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; In a 187-page decision released Thursday, Justice Catherine Aitken of the Superior Court of Justice upheld the Canadian Blood Services (CBS) ban on donations by men who have sex with men (MSM). Giving blood is not a civil right on par with voting, marrying or holding public office, Aitken said. In Cana
CALIFORNIA: Appeals Court Ends Tattoo Parlor Ban in Calif. City: Associated Press (09.09.10) - Friday, September 10, 2010; Paul Elias; On Thursday, the US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a southern California city s ban on tattoo parlors. Tattooing is a form of artistic expression and is thus entitled to free speech protection under the US Constitution, the three-judge panel ruled unanimously. Though several state courts and federal trial cou
CALIFORNIA: Healthy Sex Workshop: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (09.09.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Cynthia Laird; How to have a satisfying sex life, cope with rejection, and deal with sex in the context of substance use will be among topics covered at a workshop in San Francisco on Friday, Sept. 10. The University of California-San Francisco AIDS Health Project s Reach program is sponsoring the event, which will take place at its
MISSOURI: McCaskill to Update Progress at VA Hospital: Associated Press (09.09.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) plans on Thursday to tour the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Hospital to observe its progress toward ensuring all equipment is properly sterilized. During the summer, the VA disclosed that about 1,800 patients of the facility may have been exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C or HIV through den
AUSTRALIA: Teachers Warned After Needle Scare: Australian Associated Press (09.09.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; The disclosure that 18 students in a science class used the same needle for a blood test has prompted plans to warn all Tasmanian teachers about needle safety. The incident occurred on Aug. 9 at Dover District High School, and all students who took part have been urged to undergo testing for blood-borne viruses, includ
WEST VIRGINIA: No More Cases of Hepatitis B Found Among Dental Patients: Herald-Mail (Hagerstown, MD) (09.02.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Matthew Umstead; Berkeley County Health Department officials have found no additional cases of hepatitis B among people treated at a free dental clinic staged in June 2009. In June 2010, officials announced that five people linked to the event had since been diagnosed with the infection. In his quarterly report to the County Commission
SCANDINAVIA: Association Between Smoking and Genital Warts: Longitudinal Analysis: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 86; P. 258-262 (08..10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Bo Terning Hansen and others; Smokers in the current study were at a moderately increased risk of genital warts, according to the authors, who set out to assess the association between smoking and clinical diagnosis of genital warts. The team administered a questionnaire on lifestyle and health to a sample of 58,094 women (ages 18 to 45) randomly d
BELGIUM; UNITED KINGDOM: Young Gay Men Ignoring Safe Sex, HIV Study Warns: The Guardian (London) (09.07.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Sarah Boseley; New research shows that public warnings and campaigns about the dangers of unsafe sex do not appear to be getting through to young men who have sex with men (MSM). Scientists at Ghent University in Belgium analyzed the genetic profile of HIV in more than 500 newly screened patients over nine years and found one striki
SOUTH AFRICA: Cheaper Treatment for HIV-Infected Infants Could Also Be More Effective: Scientific American (09.07.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Katherine Harmon; Some children infected with HIV despite exposure to nevirapine during antiretroviral prophylaxis can achieve better viral suppression under a nevirapine-based therapy than a protease inhibitor-based therapy, a new study in South Africa shows. As a bonus, nevirapine costs about one-fifth as much as PI-based regimens
GLOBAL: New AIDS Vaccine Strategic Plan Unveiled: Voice of America News (09.07.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Joe DeCapua; On Tuesday, a global scientific alliance that advocates for accelerated HIV vaccine development published its strategic plan for achieving that end. Developed with the input of 400 scientists under the aegis of the Council of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, the new Scientific Strategic Plan assesses progress to date
WASHINGTON: Helping Immigrants Learn to Talk Openly About AIDS: Seattle Times (09.08.10) - Thursday, September 09, 2010; Chantal Anderson; Health experts say Washington s African immigrant communities have a very different HIV/AIDS case profile compared to the general population. Males accounted for 84 percent of Washington s HIV/AIDS cases between 2003 and 2007, state Department of Health data show. But among the state s foreign- born black immigrants, w
UNITED KINGDOM: One-in-20 Tourists Get Sex Diseases: Belfast Telegraph (09.06.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Nearly one British vacationer in 20 this summer will have brought home an STD from their travels, according to a poll of 6,000 people by the website travelspec.com. Up to 23 percent of holidaymakers report having sex with a stranger while away. Three percent said they thought they had had sex with someone, but could no
SOUTH CAROLINA: Tuberculosis Cases at the Charleston County Detention: 2.CountOn2.com (WCBD-TV, Charleston) (09.07.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Octavia Mitchell; Seven inmates at the Charleston County Detention Center were diagnosed with TB between August 2009 and April 2010, the Sheriff s Office said recently. Four of the cases were discovered only after the inmates had been discharged from the jail. All the ailing inmates were incarcerated at different times and held in diffe
CALIFORNIA: San Francisco Lockup Installs Condom Dispensers: San Francisco Chronicle (09.08.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Phillip Matier; Andrew Ross; Correctional authorities have installed 16 condom machines in the San Francisco County Jail s San Bruno lockup. Two small grants from the University of California-San Francisco and a southern California nonprofit paid for the dispensers, one of which is located in each of the jail s pods. It may be controversial, but I
BOTSWANA; MALAWI; NAMIBIA: Bisexual Concurrency, Bisexual Partnerships, and HIV Among Southern African Men Who Have Sex with Men: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 86: P. 323-327 (08..10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Chris Beyrer; Gift Trapence; Felistus Motimedi; Eric Umar; Scholastika Iipinge; Friedel Dausab; Stefan Baral; Noting that the sexual behavior of men who have sex with men (MSM) in southern Africa has been little studied, the authors presented the first data on bisexual partnerships and bisexual concurrency among MSM in Botswana , Malawi , and Namibia . A structured survey instrument and rapid-ki
UNITED STATES; CANADA: Late Presentation for Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care in the United States and Canada: Clinical Infectious Diseases Vol. 50: P. 1512-1520 (06.01.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Keri N. Althoff and others; Noting that efforts to improve early detection and access to HIV services have increased over time, the authors assessed patients immune status at initial presentation for HIV care in 13 US and Canadian clinical cohorts from 1997 to 2007. The data analyzed concerned 44,491 HIV-positive patients enrolled in the North Am
JAMAICA: HIV Project Under Threat: The Gleaner (Kingston) (09.07.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Nagra Plunkett; Jamaican Health Minister Rudyard Spencer is calling on the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria to reconsider its classification of the island nation as upper-middle income, which renders it ineligible for further grants from the fund. The significant gains we have made in combating these three diseases are in lar
CANADA: A Plea from Africa: Grandmothers Raising Orphans Cross Canada for AIDS Support: Canadian Press (09.07.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Sue Bailey; The first leg of the Stephen Lewis Foundation s coast-to-coast AIDS awareness tour of Canada is beginning in St. John s. African grandmothers, accompanied by granddaughters orphaned by AIDS, will share their personal stories and survival strategies along 40 stops comprising the AfriGrand Caravan, which ends Nov. 10. Mo
GLOBAL: Money Missing to Confirm Trial of Microbicide to Fight HIV: New York Times (09.04.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Celia W. Dugger; Despite July s encouraging announcement about a potential microbicide gel to protect women from HIV, funding for two trials to confirm the initial findings has stalled. Just $58 million of the $100 million needed for follow-up studies has been pledged, said UNAIDS . We have to close the funding gap and get the gel to w
ARKANSAS: Sex Education Money Pursued Two Ways: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (09.04.10) - Wednesday, September 08, 2010; Sarah D. Wire; Arkansas has applied for federal grants for both abstinence- based comprehensive sex education and abstinence-only programming, state Department of Health officials said Friday. In August, the department announced that the state did not have the necessary 43 percent in state matching funds to pursue the abstinence-only
CANADA: Sick Food Handler Sparks Hepatitis Alert: Edmonton Journal (09.04.10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Richard Warnica; Alberta Health Services officials are responding to two potential exposures to hepatitis A. Over the weekend, clinics were being set up to vaccinate persons who ate food from a McDonald s - 217 3rd Ave. South, Lethbridge - on Aug. 20, 21 or 22. A worker there reportedly contracted the virus while traveling abroad. Also
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Nears Deal with Unions: New York Times (09.07.10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Celia W. Dugger; After almost three weeks on the picket lines, South Africa s trade unions on Monday suspended a strike that had closed schools and wreaked havoc on health care. Public health experts had warned about the strike s effects on the treatment, particularly for AIDS and TB, of millions of people too poor to access care throu
MAINE: Acadia Cuts Free Methadone to Uninsured Clients: Bangor Daily News (09.03.10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Meg Haskell; Bangor s Acadia Hospital will no longer provide free methadone treatment to patients as a part of its hospital services, officials say. The change began to take effect in early August to ensure the methadone program s financial viability, said Brent Scobie, the hospital s vice president and chief of clinical services.
WASHINGTON: Health Officials Detain Patient with TB: Seattle Times (09.03.10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Carol M. Ostrom; Last Wednesday, Public Health Seattle & King County (PHSKC) took the unusual step of securing a court order to detain and treat a person with an active case of TB. We have to do this in a very rare situation, said Dr. Masa Narita, the department s TB control director. We try our best so we can cure all TB patients
UNITED STATES: US Physicians' Intentions Regarding Impact of Human Papillomavirus Vaccine on Cervical Cancer Screening: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 3: P. 338-345 (08..10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Charlene Wong; Zahava Berkowitz; Mona Saraiya; Louise Wideroff; Vicki B. Benard; US cervical cancer screening recommendations have not changed since the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine introduction in 2006, but epidemiological and cost-effectiveness studies indicate that recommendations will need to change for fully vaccinated women, wrote the authors, whose goal in the current study was to eva
UGANDA: Unfriendly Nurses and Culture Hinder Male Involvement in HIV Prevention: Inter Press Service (08.26.10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Wambi Michael; Uganda has been a pioneer in the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, with programs dating back to 2000. Though PMTCT is now available at the county level across most of the country, gaps remain. Statistics from the Health Ministry show that while almost all women attending antenatal clinics agree to HI
GLOBAL: HPV Takes Lead on Oral Cancers: Experts: Ottawa Citizen (09.03.10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Pamela Fayerman; Infection with human papillomavirus has become a dominant risk factor for oral cancers in some countries as smoking rates decline, researchers say. Oral sex is believed to be the transmission mode, with one Canadian expert identifying the advent of oral contraceptives, and the concurrent rise of sexual freedom, as the
UNITED STATES; EUROPE: This Won't Hurt a Bit; Researchers Are Developing Painless Alternatives to Needles: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (08.24.10) - Tuesday, September 07, 2010; Diane Suchetka; US researchers are working on developing new technologies that allow patients to receive injectable medicines without needle sticks - reducing the chance of spreading blood-borne diseases like HIV or hepatitis C and eliminating the need for doctors and nurses to administer the treatments. A team from Emory University s
ARKANSAS: HIV-Positive Reverend Settles Suit with Retirement Home: The Advocate (09.02.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Michelle Garcia; The Rev. Dr. Robert Franke has settled his lawsuit against the Fox Ridge assisted living complex in Little Rock. According to Lambda Legal, which represented him, Franke fulfilled the residency requirements to live at the facility but was suddenly ejected once it was learned he is HIV-positive. Franke and his daughter,
OHIO: Ohio Governor Outlines Plan for New Medicaid Money: Associated Press (09.02.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Gov. Ted Strickland has announced his plans to distribute some of the $519 million in new federal Medicaid money headed to Ohio. Strickland said Thursday that $13 million will be allocated for the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program; hospitals will get $150 million to help offset state fees; and $33 million will preserv
UNITED STATES: Dynavax Gets Grant for Hepatitis B Work: San Francisco Business Times (09.03.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Steven E.F. Brown; Berkeley, Calif.-based Dynavax Technologies Corp. is receiving a portion of a five-year, $17.6 million grant for its hepatitis B vaccine research from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. The company is developing Heplisav, a hepatitis B vaccine candidate, and will study the differences between pe
UNITED STATES: Abbott Says FDA Approves Hepatitis B Test: Bloomberg Businessweek (09.01.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Abbott Laboratories said Wednesday its Abbott RealTime HBV test, which measures the amount of hepatitis B virus in a patient s blood, has been cleared by the Food and Drug Administration. The company said the test is meant to monitor patients who are receiving antiviral therapy for chronic HBV infection.
TENNESSEE: 'Know Now. Live Longer.' Promotes HIV/AIDS Treatment Awareness: Tri-State Defender (Memphis) (08.19.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Dorcas Young; In 2008, 42 percent of the people living with HIV/AIDS in Memphis were not receiving medical care for their disease. A simple lack of awareness of the [Ryan White Program s] existence prevents many HIV-positive members of our community from seeking the help they need to survive. This week, the Shelby County Government
FLORIDA: Mayo Widens Hepatitis Investigation: Jacksonville Business Journal (09.02.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Kimberly Morrison; On Friday, the Mayo Clinic Florida is sending letters to patients potentially exposed to hepatitis C by a now-fired radiology technologist. The employee injected himself with Fentanyl meant for patients, replacing the syringe and topping it off with saline to hide the theft. He reportedly did not realize he had hepatit
GLOBAL: New Test Seen as Big Advance in Diagnosing TB: Associated Press (09.01.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Marilynn Marchione; A new test proved highly accurate at diagnosing TB and detecting resistance to rifampin, in less than two hours and with minimal hands-on time, a new study shows. Traditional culturing can take a week or more. Using a microscope to look for TB bacteria is faster but can miss many cases and says nothing about resistance
UNITED KINGDOM: Prejudice About Addiction Risks Thwarting New Policy: The Guardian (London) (08.24.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Alan Travis; Stigma against drug users is a critical barrier to their treatment and social reintegration, according to the first installment of a four-part study by the independent UK Drugs Policy Commission (UKDPC). Heroin and crack cocaine use, especially, can carry a stigma life sentence, the report said. For instance, two-third
VIRGINIA: McDonnell Seeks Money for Abstinence-Only Education: Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk) (09.01.10) - Friday, September 03, 2010; Julian Walker; Gov. Bob McDonnell has decided to forgo a no-cost federal grant for comprehensive STD and pregnancy prevention among teens and instead apply for a $900,000 abstinence-only grant that requires a state match of $383,000. McDonnell elected to apply for the abstinence grant partly because he has long supported funding for
MICHIGAN: Annual AIDS Walk/Run Raises Funds, Awareness: Grand Rapids Press (08.29.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; Monica Scott; Saturday s 18th annual AIDS Walk/Run in Grand Rapids attracted about 135 registered participants who raised more than $10,000. The event, which had more than a dozen sponsors, helps support the Grand Rapids Red Project, AIDS Inc., Saint Mary s Health Center, and the Westminster Ryan White Food Pantry. Events like this
UNITED STATES: Foursquare, MTV to Reward STD Checkups with Badge: Can They Make It Cool?: CBS News (09.01.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; Foursquare, the smart-phone social networking application that lets users inform others of their whereabouts, has teamed with MTV s GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign to encourage screening for STDs. Foursquare issues digital badges for users who achieve certain goals: Visiting the gym 10 times in a month earns one a G
GLOBAL: Global Cash Support to Fight AIDS Is Falling: UN: Agence France Presse (09.02.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; The global effort to fight HIV/AIDS is suffering due to the poor economy, UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe said today in Tokyo. Governments and donors are second-guessing in terms of their budget and priorities. For the first time in 15 years, we are seeing the global commitment beginning to falter, Sidibe told
CALIFORNIA: Needle-Exchange Program Offers Resources, Counseling: Lake County Record-Bee (Lakeport) (08.27.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; Katy Sweeny; The needle-exchange outreach, Any Positive Change (APC), in August celebrated 15 years of service. In addition to home delivery, it provides counseling, resource assistance, treatment referrals, and more, said founder Annina van Voorene. Visiting clients homes provides APC staff a unique opportunity, allowing them to h
CALIFORNIA: Counties Cut Back on Fighting Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Sacramento Bee (08.28.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; Carrie Peyton Dahlberg; The recession has led some counties in the Sacramento region to cut back on efforts to contact the partners of newly diagnosed STD patients. In Sacramento County, the health department has one staff member dedicated to contacting untreated partners. It is a part-time task, so only untreated pregnant women are being con
TANZANIA: Vitamin A Hikes HIV Loads in Breast Milk: MedPage Today (08.30.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; Kristina Fiore; In two analyses of HIV-positive mothers in Tanzania , those who took vitamin A and beta-carotene supplements had significantly higher HIV loads in their breast milk than women who did not take them (P=0.02), as well as a higher risk of subclinical mastitis. This inflammatory response leads junctions in the mammary epit
ZIMBABWE: Children Crossing Borders in Search of HIV Treatment: Inter Press Service (08.24.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; Ignatius Banda; A quiet migration of HIV-positive children in need of antiretroviral treatment is underway in Zimbabwe . A growing number of families in rural areas are taking their children into Botswana and South Africa in hope of accessing free ARV therapy. According to some faith-based organizations, the migra
MINNESOTA: Pawlenty Rejects $850,000 for Sex Education: Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (08.31.10) - Thursday, September 02, 2010; Josephine Marcotty; Experts in adolescent health are dismayed by Gov. Tim Pawlenty s decision to reject an $850,000 federal teen pregnancy prevention grant that had no strings attached, while approving a $500,000 abstinence-only grant that requires $379,000 in matching state funds. The state Department of Health wanted to apply for both g
ILLINOIS: Progress Made in Limiting Kane County TB Outbreak: Associated Press (09.01.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; In Kane County, west of Chicago, health authorities are reporting progress toward containing a TB outbreak. Seventeen active cases, most linked to an Aurora homeless shelter, have been diagnosed this year. No new active cases have been found since late June, however, and a mass screening of nearly 200 people in August
AUSTRALIA: Health Service Plays Down Hepatitis Transmission Fears: Australian Broadcasting Corporation News (08.31.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Persons receiving care at Wollongong Hospital s Renal Unit should not be alarmed about the diagnosis of hepatitis C in a patient there, according to the South East Sydney Illawarra Health Service. Although the hospital took four months to determine the patient had contracted the virus, the health service said the hospi
UNITED KINGDOM: Hepatitis C Liver Deaths Warning: UK Press Association (08.29.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Deaths from liver disease in the United Kingdom shot up 60 percent during the past decade, and hepatitis C was a major factor in the increase, according to a report from the All- Party Parliamentary Hepatology Group. The exact toll of the virus is difficult to calculate, the study says, because so many of the estimated
FLORIDA: Virtual Game for Latinas Targets Real-World Issues: Orlando Sentinel (08.24.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Victor Manuel Ramos; A University of Central Florida (UCF) social psychologist and nurse leads a team that is developing a virtual reality-based program using avatars to discourage young Latinas from engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Unlike most abstinence programs, the team s computer simulation game does not feature adult-to-teen discu
IOWA: WHO-AM Radio Says Host's Remarks Had 'Factual Errors': Des Moines Register (08.27.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Jason Clayworth; Clear Channel Communications broadcast on Aug. 26 a statement acknowledging that a commentator on its news radio station WHO-AM in Des Moines had made erroneous remarks about AIDS and homosexuality. During a recent show broadcast from the Iowa State Fair, Jan Mickelson said some AIDS education efforts destigmatize the
NEW YORK: HIV Fighters Gain Speed: Wall Street Journal (08.30.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Suzanne Sataline; In 2008, St. Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx began offering rapid HIV testing in its inpatient and outpatient units as well as through the emergency department. Since May, tests also have been given at its dental clinic, a natural place to perform the oral-swab screening, workers say. A grant allows the hospital to offe
TANZANIA: Alcohol Use Before Sex and HIV Risk: Situational Characteristics of Protected and Unprotected Encounters Among High-Risk African Women: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 9: P. 571-578 (09..10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Joseph C. Fisher; Peter A. Cook; Saidi H. Kapiga; The authors compared the situational characteristics of protected and unprotected sexual encounters that involved alcohol use two hours prior with ones that did not. The data were collected from December 2002 to December 2005 as part of enrollment in a prospective cohort study aimed at identifying HIV seroconversion ri
REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Mobile HIV Test Unit a Hit: Inter Press Service (08.26.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Arsene Severin; A mobile HIV screening van purchased by the National Council Against AIDS has drawn crowds consistently since its December 2009 launch. A telethon helped raise $215,000 to purchase the van and outfit it with a sampling chair, refrigerator, laboratory, and generator. In public places such as markets and major intersecti
MICHIGAN: Sex and the Senior: What Older Adults Need to Know That Is Not Often Talked About: Grand Rapids Press (08.09.10) - Wednesday, September 01, 2010; Paul R. Kopenkoskey; Older adults comprise a small but growing population of residents in the Grand Rapids area with STDs. While the absolute numbers seem small, I worry about exponential growth, said Dr. Russell Lampen, an infectious- disease specialist with Spectrum Health Medical Group. In Kent County, chlamydia cases among those age 45
UNITED KINGDOM: Thousands Attend Manchester HIV Vigil: The Advocate (08.30.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Jeremy Kinser; At the conclusion Sunday of the 20th annual Manchester Pride weekend, 2,000 people held a candlelight HIV vigil in the city s Sackville Gardens. The commemoration included the reading of inspirational messages written by people living with HIV, as well as a moment of silent remembrance for all those lost to the epidemi
CHINA: Father Seeks China AIDS Activist's Release: Associated Press (08.30.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Anita Chang; The father of jailed Chinese AIDS activist Tian Xi worries that his son is missing his medicine and may not be eating well. Tian Xi has HIV and hepatitis B and C; he reportedly received a tainted blood transfusion as a child at Xincai County No. 1 People s Hospital. After recently spending more than a week shuttling be
KANSAS: County May Track Partners in HIV Case: Wichita Eagle (08.31.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Brent D. Wistrom; The Sedgwick County Department of Health is working with McConnell Air Force Base officials to contact the sexual partners of a sergeant who may have knowingly exposed people to HIV at swinger events in the Wichita area during the past three years. The man used adult websites to meet strangers for sex encounters, a pra
FLORIDA: Questions Linger over Mayo Hepatitis, Ex-Employee's Actions: Florida Times-Union (Jacksonville) (08.28.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Jeremy Cox; Officials of the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville announced on Aug. 25 that a radiologic technologist with hepatitis C admitted stealing Fentanyl intended for patients, possibly exposing them to the virus. We wanted you to hear this completely, candidly and as quickly as we knew it, John Noseworthy, Mayo s president and CEO
AUSTRALIA: Sexual Practices and Dental Dam Use Among Women Prisoners - A Mixed Methods Study: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 2: P. 170-176 (05..10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Lorraine Yap; Juliet Richters; Tony Butler; Karen Schneider; Kristie Kirkwood; Basil Donovan; For more than a decade, dental dams have been distributed to protect female inmates against HIV and STDs in some Canadian and Australian prisons. The authors noted, However, we do not know whether they serve any useful public health purpose. They undertook the current study to learn how the products are used in women s
KENYA: Modernizing Traditional Circumcision Rites: Inter Press Service (08.24.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Susan Anyangu-amu; During years that end in an even number, the month of August sees thousands of young men in Kenya s Western Province undergo circumcision as an important rite of passage to manhood. Dr. Nicholas Muraguri, head of the National AIDS/STD Control Program in Kenya, said this year one such community, the Bukusu, will circumc
CHINA: China Court Accepts First HIV Discrimination Suit: Report: Agence France Presse (08.31.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; On Monday, a court in Anqing city in Anhui province accepted what state media are calling China s first HIV employment discrimination suit. The plaintiff, a recent college graduate who was not identified by name, said he had already passed written tests and interviews for a teaching position in Anqing. After a subseque
UNITED STATES: CDC, FDA Warn About Fingerstick Devices: MedPage Today (08.28.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Cole Petrochko; CDC and the Food and Drug Administration have issued a joint warning against the reuse of fingerstick and point-of-care (POC) blood testing devices. The agencies report they have documented an increasing number of blood-borne infections, particularly hepatitis B virus, transmitted through the devices in the past 10 to
UNITED STATES: Report: 90,000 Inmates Sexually Victimized: Associated Press (08.26.10) - Tuesday, August 31, 2010; Pete Yost; A new study by the Justice Department s Bureau of Justice Statistics shows that 4.4 percent of prison inmates and 3.1 percent of jail inmates reported being sexually abused by another inmate or staff member in the previous 12 months. Nationwide, the percentages translate to the sexual victimization of 88,500 inmates in
UNITED KINGDOM: 42 Contract HIV this Year: Belfast Telegraph (08.25.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; Health Protection Agency data show 42 people have been newly diagnosed with HIV in Northern Ireland so far this year. Five of the new patients are under age 25. HPA data show more than half the transmissions resulted from sex between men, while 14 infections were traced to heterosexual contact.
OHIO: Gay Pride Day Draws Hundreds to Walk, March, Donate Funds: The Blade (Toledo) (08.29.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; Carl Ryan; Toledo s Gay Pride Day on Saturday got underway with the Northwest Ohio AIDS Walk in International Park. About 400 people took part in the event, whose goal was to raise $38,000 for the AIDS Resource Center Ohio. Our walk was really about AIDS awareness and prevention and the services that are available, said Laurie Co
NORTH DAKOTA: North Dakota Doctor May Have Exposed Dozens to Tuberculosis: Associated Press (08.27.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; A doctor in the Sanford Health system s Fargo region has been diagnosed with active TB, and efforts are underway to contact dozens of patients and workers who may have been exposed. Sanford intends to offer TB testing to 77 patients and 43 employees who were in contact with the doctor between July 1 and Aug. 16. The No
CALIFORNIA: New Leaf Closing Its Doors: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.26.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; Heather Cassell; New Leaf will close by mid-October, say officials of the nonprofit that has long offered mental health, substance abuse, and senior services targeting LGBT. New Leaf s board voted unanimously Aug. 15 to dissolve the agency, and it is working with the city and other groups to transition key services, including its HIV m
FLORIDA: AIDS Charity Has Outgrown Its Home: St. Petersburg Times (08.27.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; Justin George; When it opened in its current location some 20 years ago, the Tampa support organization Francis House was serving 15-20 HIV patients daily. Now, many of its services are facing increasing demand as state and federal funding and grants dry up, and the lackluster economy hits people with HIV/AIDS, officials at the nonpr
UNITED STATES: Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills Barriers Associated with Intentional Versus Unintentional ARV Non-Adherence Behavior Among HIV+ Patients in Clinical Care: AIDS Care Vol. 22; No. 8: P. 979-987 (08..10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; Wynne E. Norton; K. Rivet Amico; William A. Fisher; Paul A. Shuper; Rebecca A. Ferrer; Deborah H. Cornman; Cynthia A. Trayling; Caroline Redding; Jeffrey D. Fisher; Thanks to antiretroviral (ARV) therapy, HIV has become better characterized as a chronic disease rather than a terminal illness, depending in part on one s ability to maintain relatively high levels of adherence, the authors wrote. Research has explored barriers and facilitators of ARV adherence behavior; however, rela
SOUTH AFRICA: Nation Becomes a Victim of Its ARV Treatment Success: Inter Press Service (08.23.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; Kerry Cullinan; The prospect of South Africa meeting its target of providing antiretroviral treatment to 80 percent of those who need it by 2011 is being threatened by a lack of funds. Nearly 1 million South Africans are receiving ARVs through the government, and that number is supposed to triple in the next decade. This year, the
AUSTRALIA: UN Official Backs Kings Cross Injecting Room: Sydney Morning Herald (08.28.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; Louise Hall; The executive director of UNAIDS said he is very impressed with a medically supervised injection facility operating in Kings Cross. Calling it a pragmatic, cost-effective approach to preventing HIV, Michel Sidibe declined to comment on the entanglement of the pilot project s future with state elections. The site ha
CALIFORNIA: AIDS Activists File Complaint Against Larry Flynt: Associated Press (08.27.10) - Monday, August 30, 2010; John Rogers; AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) filed a complaint with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal- OSHA) on Thursday, claiming Larry Flynt Productions creates an unsafe environment by not requiring condom use by its porn performers. To underscore its point, AHF delivered to Cal-OSHA s Los Angeles o
GEORGIA: AIDS Vaccine 200 Celebrates Its 'Vaccine Soldiers': Project Q Atlanta (08.26.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; Matt Hennie; Action Cycling Atlanta on Sunday presented checks totaling $198,200 to the three beneficiaries of its AIDS Vaccine 200 ride, which was held in May. The cycling organization donated $190,000 to the Emory Vaccine Center, $6,200 to Jerusalem House, and $2,000 to Positive Impact. Since its launch in 2003, the ride has rais
MINNESOTA: STD Hotline Set to Offer Text Services: St. Cloud Times (08.26.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; The Minnesota Family Planning and STD Hotline has enhanced its website and announced plans to begin offering personalized text messaging and Web chat options in addition to its phone- based service. The service provides confidential, medically accurate information as well as referrals to low-cost and free clinics. For
WISCONSIN: Report Cites Wisconsin Hospital for Reused Syringe: Wisconsin State Journal (Madison) (08.21.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; A syringe reuse incident at Madison s University of Wisconsin Hospital that required at least one patient to undergo testing for infectious diseases has resulted in four deficiency citations by the state Department of Health Services. The report also ordered that a correction plan be submitted, and it faulted hospital
WASHINGTON: For Young Gays, Meth Use Comes with a High Risk of Contracting HIV: Seattle Times (08.26.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; Cassandra Brooks; Seattle-area organizations are offering help to gay crystal methamphetamine users, who have a higher risk of HIV infection, according to local studies. In King County, about 10 percent of men who have sex with men have used crystal meth in a given year, Public Health-Seattle & King County reports, and usage is twic
CANADA: Syringe Sharing and HIV Incidence Among Injection Drug Users and Increased Access to Sterile Syringes: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 8: P. 1449- 1453 (08..10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; Thomas Kerr, PhD; Will Small, PhD; Chris Buchner, MSc; Ruth Zhang, MSc; Kathi Li, PhD; Julio Montaner, MD; Evan Wood, MD, PhD; Toward the goal of maximizing sterile syringe access and reducing rates of syringe sharing, between 2000 and 2003 the Vancouver, British Columbia, health authority modified its syringe exchange program (SEP) policies by shifting the focus from syringe exchange to syringe distribution. SEP services were decentralized, a
UGANDA: Breastfeeding Dilemma for HIV-Positive Mothers: Inter Press Service (08.21.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; Evelyn Matsamura Kiapi; New World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines indicating that HIV-positive mothers can safely breastfeed their babies for up to 12 months, provided mother or baby receives antiretroviral (ARV) therapy for up to one year, still need to be communicated to most new mothers in Uganda . For
UNITED KINGDOM: Young Most at Risk as Number of Sex Infection Cases Soars: The Guardian (London) (08.25.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; Sarah Boseley; Newly released figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show a worrisome increase in STDs in the United Kingdom . Sexual health clinics in 2009 reported 482,700 new STD cases - 12,000 more than in the previous year. The data clearly show that people under age 25, particularly females, are most affected by STDs.
SOUTH CAROLINA: Grant Targets S.C. Health Disparities: The State (Columbia, S.C.) (08.21.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; Joey Holleman; A recently announced $6.7 million grant will help South Carolina public health experts build on an effort to reduce diseases that disproportionately affect minority populations, including HIV/AIDS, human papillomavirus, and various cancers. In 2005, the University of South Carolina s Arnold School of Public Health rece
UNITED STATES: Ob-Gyn Group Backs HPV Vaccines for 11-12 Year Olds: Reuters Health (08.23.10) - Friday, August 27, 2010; Girls ages 11-12 should receive either of the two approved human papillomavirus vaccines to prevent cervical cancer, according to a new recommendation by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. ACOG s advice is consistent with current federal guidelines. The ideal time for girls to receive the HPV vacc
JAMAICA: US Embassy Calls for Proposals on HIV: Jamaica Observer (Kingston) (08.24.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; The US Embassy has begun accepting proposals for the 2010 Ambassador s HIV Prevention Program, which is part of the US President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The program will award grants of $10,000 to $20,000 to projects that work to reduce HIV-related stigma, engage persons living with the virus, or educate at-r
RUSSIA: Rights Campaigners Detained at Russia U2 Concert: Activists: Agence France Presse (08.26.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; At U2 s first-ever Moscow concert Wednesday night, Russian police prohibited human-rights activists, including representatives from the band s own ONE anti-HIV campaign, from carrying out awareness work. The tents of Amnesty International, Greenpeace, and the ONE foundation were removed by police, and we were not allow
UNITED NATIONS: UNAIDS Appoints Mechai to Help with HIV Campaign: The Nation (Bangkok) (08.25.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; Mechai Viravaidya, a former senator known for his work advocating condom use in Thailand , has been named to the UNAIDS High Commission on HIV Prevention. Commission members, who include former French President Jacques Chirac and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Dr. Mohamed ElBaradei, use their influence to build support for
MONTANA: Mother Sues over Sex Education Curriculum: Independent Record (Helena) (08.21.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; Angela Brandt; On Friday, a mother filed a complaint against the Helena School District and the state Office of Public Instruction claiming that a new sex education curriculum, if approved, will cause her and her children irreparable harm. Kristi Allen-Gailushas, a Republican candidate for House District 82, alleges the curriculum is
UNITED STATES: Sexual Risk Taking Among Transgender Male-to- Female Youths with Different Partner Types: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 8: P. 1500- 1505 (08..10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; Eric C. Wilson, DrPH; Robert Garofalo, MD, MPH; D. Robert Harris, PhD; Marvin Belzer, MD; Associations between partner types (main, casual or commercial) and sexual risk behaviors of sexually active male- to-female (transgender female) young people were examined in the current study. In Los Angeles and Chicago, the researchers interviewed 120 transgender female youths ages 15 to 24. Participants were recrui
DENMARK: Antivirals for Herpes During Pregnancy Don't Cause Birth Defects, Study Finds: Los Angeles Times (08.24.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; Thomas H. Maugh II; First-trimester exposure to some drugs used to treat herpes simplex and herpes zoster infections did not increase the risk of birth defects, a new study from Denmark concludes. Previously, the safety of herpes drugs among pregnant women had not been adequately investigated, noted the study s authors, Drs.
UNITED KINGDOM: New HIV Cases 'Preventable': Bolton News (08.17.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; In 2009, the HIV prevalence rate in England s North West was 80 diagnosed cases per 100,000 population, according to a new report by the Health Protection Agency North West and the Center for Public Health. Many of the 498 new diagnoses across Greater Manchester in 2009 were acquired in the UK and would have been preve
SOUTH AFRICA: AIDS Patients Hurt by South African Strike: Associated Press (08.25.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; Donna Bryson; A nationwide civil service strike in South Africa is threatening the health of patients with HIV/AIDS, TB and other critical diseases. The government has brought in military medics and volunteers to help keep hospitals and clinics running while health care union members picket for an 8.6 percent wage increase and a 1,0
CONNECTICUT: Youth Risk Behavior Survey: 70 Percent of High School Seniors Have Had Sex: Hartford Courant (08.16.10) - Thursday, August 26, 2010; Grace E. Merritt; By their senior year of high school, more than two-thirds of Connecticut teens have had sex, but only about 59 percent of them are using condoms, according to data from the 2009 Youth Risk Behavior Survey. The older they get, the more sexually active they are likely to be, said Susan Yolen, spokesperson for Planned Par
RUSSIA: U2'S Bono Asks Russia's Medvedev to Help Beat AIDS: Reuters Life! (08.24.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Denis Dyomkin; On the eve of U2 s first-ever concert in Russia , band leader Bono visited President Dmitry Medvedev Tuesday and urged him to do more to fight AIDS. Bono suggested that Medvedev indentify a Russian company to join the Red campaign, which raises money for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria. Maybe you can fin
BOTSWANA: Merck, Gates Foundation to Give $60 Million for Botswana HIV Efforts: Wall Street Journal (08.24.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Kevin Kingsbury; Merck & Co. announced Tuesday that it and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation are pledging an additional $60 million for Botswana s African Comprehensive HIV/AIDS Partnerships, a public-private effort to prevent and treat HIV infection. This raises to $166.5 million the amount committed to the outreach by the
MOZAMBIQUE: US Will Give Mozambique $1 Billion to Fight HIV: Voice of America News (08.23.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Under a partnership agreement signed Monday in Maputo, the United States will provide $1 billion over five years to reduce new HIV infections, improve treatment access, and strengthen the health care system in Mozambique . The money will be supplied chiefly by the US President s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.
UNITED STATES: Obama Seeks Boosts in Funds for AIDS Prevention, Research: Dow Jones Newswires (08.20.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Jared A. Favole; In a letter sent Friday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D- Calif.), President Barack Obama said he is seeking $400 million from Congress to boost HIV/AIDS services and research. The money, which is part of amendments to Obama s budget for fiscal year 2011, would be offset by decreases from CDC and the National Institute
PENNSYLVANIA: Explosive Rise in Number of Young Adults with STDs: Philadelphia Daily News (08.20.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Natalie Pompilio; Rates of reported chlamydia among city women ages 15-19 last year equate to about one of every 10 having the STD, according to the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. Reported gonorrhea cases are up 26 percent for the first half of this year compared to the first half of 2009, leading PDPH to issue an advisory. S
CALIFORNIA: CDC Funds Bay Area Collaborative to Deliver HIV Prevention to Asians and Pacific Islanders: Indian Country Today (Canastota, N.Y.) (08.24.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; CDC is supporting new HIV prevention outreach to Asian and Pacific Islander (API) men who have sex with men (MSM) in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Asian & Pacific Islander Wellness Center (APIWC), Asian Americans for Community Involvement, and Asian Health Services will collaborate on the initiative, thanks to a
UNITED STATES: Study Rethinks AIDS Prevalence Among Haitians: Boston Globe (07.19.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Haitian immigrants to the United States have been historically stigmatized as having introduced HIV into North America, according to Dr. Linda Marc, of the Center for Multicultural Mental Health Research at Cambridge Health Alliance, and colleagues. Haitian-born persons also have been thought to have higher HIV prevale
UNITED STATES: Cancer Drugs Force HIV to Mutate to Death: Voice of America News (08.24.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Joe DeCapua; Existing drugs approved to treat cancer and tested for anti- HIV activity proved potent in a new study, researchers report. After treatment, HIV mutated itself to death - and did so fairly quickly. Well, we were specifically looking for drugs that had already been approved by the [Food and Drug Administration] for othe
AUSTRALIA: Concern as Pap Test Rates Drop: Australian Associated Press (08.24.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Danny Rose; The proportion of women adhering to Australian guidelines for Pap testing is falling, according to data from PapScreen Victoria, a program supported by the state and Commonwealth. The rate of women ages 25-29 who have a Pap test every two years has fallen almost 10 percent since 1996-97, the group said. The national ro
OHIO: State Funds Mix-Up Delays HIV Drug Payments: Columbus Dispatch (08.21.10) - Wednesday, August 25, 2010; Misti Crane; Adding to the concerns of Ohio HIV patients who receive government assistance for their medications, a recent computer glitch left at least nine people in danger of losing their insurance coverage. Some COBRA clients who lost their jobs but whose previous insurance is extended through state-supported payments have been
SWAZILAND: Swazi Anger at Prince's HIV Exaggeration Claim: BBC News (08.20.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; AIDS activists in Swaziland , Africa s last absolute monarchy, have harshly criticized Prince Mangaliso s recent remarks suggesting the kingdom s HIV epidemic is being exaggerated for the benefit of pharmaceutical firms. The prince, a top adviser to King Mswati III, said HIV prevention campaigns amount to little more t
UNITED STATES: Gilead Competitor Applies to Make Generic Hepsera: Associated Press (08.20.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; Gilead Sciences Inc. said Thursday it has received notification that Sigmapharm Laboratories LLC has filed an application with the US Food and Drug Administration to make and market a generic version of Gilead s hepatitis B drug Hepsera. In its statement, Gilead said Sigmapharm s notification alleges that two of Gile
GEORGIA: STD Vaccine Offered for Free: Chattanooga Times Free Press (08.19.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; Emily Bregel; For the next 12 to 18 months, health departments in three north Georgia counties are offering the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine at no cost to youths up to age 18. Catoosa, Dade, and Walker counties are taking advantage of federal stimulus funds to provide the three-shot series, which normally costs more than $350.
COLORADO: School Is Denver's First to Offer Contraceptives in Fight Against Teen Births: Denver Post (08.22.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; Jeremy P. Meyer; Denver s Bruce Randolph School now hosts a clinic operated by Denver Health, whose medically trained professionals can dispense condoms, birth control, and emergency contraception to students with parental consent to access the health facility. At Bruce Randolph, 13 girls had babies in the past two years, and five moth
CHINA: Hepatitis E Vaccine Appears Effective in China Trial: Reuters (08.23.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; Tan Ee Lyn; An investigational hepatitis E vaccine was safe and effective when compared with placebo, suggests a new study from China . Hepatitis E virus, which causes serious liver disease, is spread by ingestion of feces-contaminated food and drinks. Usually associated with poor sanitation, HEV typically results in self-limited,
UNITED STATES: Nationwide Meat Recall Announced: CNN.com (08.24.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Monday that Zemco Industries, based in Buffalo, N.Y., has recalled 380,000 pounds of deli meat that may be contaminated with bacteria. Consumption of food contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, an uncommon but potentially fatal disease. Healthy
ILLINOIS: AIDS Warnings, Instantly; Chicago Woman Living with HIV for More than 20 Years Uses Twitter to Quickly Broadcast Safe-Sex Messages, Urge Testing: Chicago Tribune (08.21.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; Lolly Bowean; Following her HIV diagnosis in 1986, Chicago-based Rae Lewis- Thornton made it her mission to promote AIDS education by speaking out at schools and colleges, writing first-person magazine articles, and producing TV segments on the topic. Appearing on the cover of Essence magazine, Lewis-Thornton was widely regarded as
MINNESOTA: STD Vaccine for Teens a Tough Sell: Star Tribune (Minneapolis) (08.18.10) - Tuesday, August 24, 2010; Josephine Marcotty; Four years after the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine was first made available, only about 16 percent of girls in Minnesota have completed the three-shot series, according to data from the state Department of Health. One-third of girls have taken at least one shot, a figure comparable to national rates. HPV vaccines
NEW YORK: Tuberculosis Reported at MTA Site: Wall Street Journal (08.21.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Chris Herring; At least one Metropolitan Transportation Authority worker has been diagnosed with TB, the New York City health department said Friday, adding that its investigation might turn up more cases. In addition to the confirmed case, the department said it is aware of a suspected case at the same site, which it did not identif
MISSOURI: NanoVir Gets $3 Million Grant for HPV Drug: Sydney Morning Herald (08.16.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Developing an antiviral to completely eliminate many types of human papillomavirus is the goal of a $3 million National Institutes of Health grant recently awarded to a St. Louis researcher and his company. This award brings to more than $9.5 million the value of grants received by NanoVir since 2004, when it was estab
KENYA: Kenyan Court Sentences 2 TB Patients to 8 Months: Associated Press (08.21.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Tom Odula; A judge has invoked a rarely used law to sentence two treatment-noncompliant TB patients to eight months in prison. According to Joseph Sitienei, chief of the public health and sanitation ministry s TB and lung disease section, the men were taken into custody about 10 days ago and sent to Kapsabet prison to make sure t
WISCONSIN: AIDS Resource Center Expands Services: Green Bay Press Gazette (08.20.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Scott Williams; The AIDS Resource Center (ARC) of Wisconsin is adding medical care services to its Green Bay facility, becoming a comprehensive one-stop center for more than 600 people living with HIV/AIDS in the region. Mike Gifford, ARC s chief operating officer, said HIV/AIDS involves specialized needs that cannot be met by traditi
NEW YORK: Ossining Deli Diners Warned of Hepatitis: Journal News (White Plains) (08.22.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Barbara Livingston Nackman; The Westchester County Health Department is warning recent patrons of J&D Deli & Catering (Delgado s Deli) in Ossining they could have been exposed to hepatitis A virus by an infected employee. Anyone who purchased sandwiches or uncooked foods from the deli from July 26 to Aug. 9 is potentially at risk, said Ac
THE NETHERLANDS: Hepatitis C Virus Infections Among HIV- Infected Men Who Have Sex with Men: An Expanding Epidemic: AIDS Vol. 23; No. 12: P. F1-F7 (07.31.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Anouk T. Urbanus and others; Since 2000, outbreaks of sexually transmitted hepatitis C virus have been reported among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). In the current study, the authors conclude that the prevalence of HCV in this population is high and increasing. The setting for the research was a large STD clinic in Amsterdam, where
CHINA: China AIDS Campaigner Detained: Activists: Agence France Presse (08.21.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; A Chinese AIDS activist who has lobbied for the government to compensate those who contracted HIV through unsafe blood transfusions has been detained, advocates said. Tian Xi, a 23-year-old who contracted HIV as a boy through a blood transfusion, told fellow activists that authorities were angered by his petitioning of
UNITED STATES: AIDS Advocates Applaud Sen. Bill Nelson's Call for More Funding: The Hill (Washington, D.C.) (08.20.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Julian Pecquet; Florida Sen. Bill Nelson (D) recently announced his support for robust funding of the nation s AIDS Drug Assistance Programs. As of Aug. 12, 2,937 people in 13 states were on waiting lists in the hope of accessing HIV drugs through ADAP. More than a third of those placed on an ADAP waiting list, 1,178 patients, are in
ARKANSAS: Change in Air for State's Sex Education Classes: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette (Little Rock) (08.15.10) - Monday, August 23, 2010; Sarah D. Wire; Arkansas Department of Health officials say the state will apply for federal grants to provide abstinence-based sex education that includes information about contraceptives. Of Arkansas high school students polled, 53.6 percent reported being sexually active, compared with 46 percent of such students nationally, accord
ILLINOIS: BEHIV Receives Foundation Grants: Windy City Times (Chicago) (08.11.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; Two recently announced grants totaling $22,500 will benefit Chicago-based Better Existence with HIV. A Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois donation to support BEHIV s HIV prevention work is the insurer s fifth grant to the group. In addition, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, which has provided financial support fo
NEBRASKA: Study to Combat County's STD Epidemic: KETV.com (Omaha) (08.18.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; The Douglas County Board of Health has announced a year-long epidemiological study to tackle the county s STD problem. The outreach will focus on northern Omaha and will use free screening as a strategy to identify the populations most affected. Grant funds will support the study, which begins in September.
MISSOURI: STD Cases in Missouri Heartland Counties: KFVS12.com (Cape Girardeau) (08.11.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; Recently released statistics indicating that STD rates in some southeast Missouri counties are among the state s highest came as no surprise to Suzanne Williams of the Butler County Health Department. Though Butler ranked near the bottom among area counties for chlamydia, nearby Pemiscot and Mississippi counties ranked
MISSOURI: Interactive Database for STDs: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (08.05.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; A new interactive database allows the user to see how specific Missouri counties and ZIP codes are affected by four STDs: chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. To access the database, visit www.STLtoday.com/std/.
UTAH: Quiznos Worker Tests Positive for Hepatitis: Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City) (08.19.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; Jasen Lee; Persons who ate food from a Salt Lake City Quiznos restaurant on Aug. 6-7 are at risk of hepatitis A and encouraged to obtain an injection of immune globulin or hepatitis A vaccine as soon as possible. The warning is prompted by a diagnosis of hepatitis A in an employee of the restaurant, located at 30 E. Broadway (300
CANADA: Inflammatory Disease Drugs Could Hold TB Treatment Key: Edmonton Journal (07.30.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; Charlie Fidelman, Montreal Gazette; Postmedia News; Research by American and Canadian scientists suggests how the mechanism behind the anti-inflammatory drugs used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis might be important in the treatment of TB. The research in Nature Immunology describes how TB manipulates the process of cell death, or necrosis, allowing TB to
AFRICA; UNITED STATES: Crucell, Harvard to Take Part in Experimental AIDS Vaccine Test in Africa: Bloomberg News (08.11.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; Simeon Bennett; Dutch biopharmaceutical company Crucell NV has announced that a joint Phase I trial of an experimental AIDS vaccine will take place at sites in the United States and Africa. The trial will enroll healthy HIV-free adults to test a product that combines two adenovirus-based vaccines. Individually, the candidates have pro
UNITED STATES: Salmonella Traced to Iowa: Washington Post (08.20.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; David Brown; On Aug. 13, Iowa-based Wright County Egg voluntarily recalled eggs potentially contaminated with salmonella bacteria, expanding the recall Wednesday. Salmonella can be life- threatening to people with weak immune systems, including AIDS patients. The eggs, some laid as far back as May 17, were distributed nationwide. T
WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Makes Push on Free Birth Control: Wall Street Journal (08.18.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; Janet Adamy; Wisconsin health officials are seeking to make permanent a Medicaid pilot project that offers reproductive health services to otherwise ineligible women. Wisconsin s is one of 27 Medicaid programs that provide prescription birth control, Pap smears, STD testing and, in some cases, infertility treatment to women who ear
UNITED STATES: More US Teens Get Vaccinated, CDC Finds: Reuters (08.19.10) - Friday, August 20, 2010; Routine adolescent vaccination coverage increased substantially from 2008 to 2009, CDC says in a new report focusing on youths ages 13-17. Among adolescent girls, uptake of at least the first injection of human papillomavirus vaccine increased from 37.2 percent to 44.3 percent. Uptake of the full three-shot HPV series
SINGAPORE: Youth Olympics' Athletes Warned of HIV/AIDS Dangers: Xinhua News Agency (08.17.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; At an informational session Tuesday in Singapore , the UN warned participants in the Youth Olympics to be on guard against HIV/AIDS. There are still a lot of young people affected by HIV, said Dawn Foreringham, UNAIDS regional program advisor for Asia and the Pacific. That s why 14 to 18 years old [the age of Youth Ol
NIGERIA: Federal Government, United States to Sign Agreement on HIV/AIDS: This Day (Lagos) (08.18.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; Under an agreement announced Tuesday in Abuja, the United States will provide technical assistance to help Nigeria ramp up its fight against HIV/AIDS. Professor Onyebuchi Chuckwu, the minister of health, said Nigeria will boost its own spending on the effort. James Patrick, leader of the US delegation, said the framewo
SOUTH AFRICA: Minister Calls for Relaunch of HIV Testing: The Times (Johannesburg) (08.16.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; South Africa s HIV screening and counseling campaign has tested millions of people in the four months since it was introduced but the effort now needs to be reinvigorated, the nation s health minister said on Sunday. We launched the campaign in April but there was a big lull during the World Cup and we need to relaunch
CONNECTICUT: Syphilis Up in Fairfield County: Patch (Fairfield) (08.15.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; Nancy Burton; Reports of syphilis are on the increase in Fairfield County, even as gonorrhea and chlamydia are on the decline, health officials report. Through the first six months of 2010, Fairfield County in coastal Connecticut reported 11 cases of syphilis; the 2009 total was 23. Five years ago, the county reported 13 cases for t
NORTH CAROLINA; SOUTH CAROLINA: CDC Awards $1.3 Million to Carolinas HIV Groups: Q Notes (Charlotte) (08.03.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; Matt Comer; Four AIDS service organizations in North and South Carolina received $1.3 million of the $42 million recently awarded by CDC. The grants generally run for five years and will be used for HIV prevention initiatives. The Carolinas-based organizations and their award amounts are Carolinas CARE Partnership in Charlotte ($2
TEXAS: Dallas AIDS Service Organizations Win Fight to Keep Client Info Off Web: Dallas Voice (08.12.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; David Taffet; Negotiations lasting almost a year have ended with agreement that local AIDS agencies will not have to post confidential client information to a database housed on a secure Internet- based server. The Department of State Health Services (DSHS) said information entered into the ARIES database would be used to audit AIDS
UNITED KINGDOM: Genetic Signature May Lead to Better TB Diagnosis: Reuters (08.18.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; Kate Kelland; British researchers report in Nature that they have found a genetic signature that may help improve the diagnosis and treatment of TB. Of the more than 2 billion people worldwide with TB, the vast majority have the latent form of infection. Among them, about 10 percent will go on to develop active TB. However, current
JAPAN: More Firms Opening Doors to HIV-Positive: Daily Yomiuri (Tokyo) (08.19.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; Naoko Moriya; Recent revisions in Japanese law are helping boost employment among the country s HIV-positive population. Under Japan s Disabled Person Employment Promotion Law, disabled employees must comprise more than 1.8 percent of a company s workforce. In a revision that went into effect in July, the scope of the law was expand
WASHINGTON: State May See Push for Circumcision After Evidence Shows Health Benefits: Seattle Times (08.16.10) - Thursday, August 19, 2010; Cassandra Brooks; Growing evidence that male circumcision can help reduce the transmission of HIV and other diseases has local and national agencies rethinking their recommendations regarding the procedure. The American Academy of Pediatrics and CDC are expected to update their circumcision guidelines later this year to reflect the late
NEW YORK: New York Man Gets 37 Months for Fake Condom Scheme: Associated Press (08.12.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; A New York man has been sentenced to 37 months in federal prison for his role in a scheme that distributed more than 1 million counterfeit Trojan condoms. Prosecutors said Jian Wang was part of a six-person ring that trafficked a variety of fake brand-name products manufactured in China . The condoms, they said, wer
NEW YORK: New York Teacher Who Let Students Use Profanity in AIDS Discussion Settles Lawsuit with City: New York Daily News (08.13.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; Dave Goldiner; A Staten Island teacher who was suspended for about eight months for letting her eighth grade students use slang terms during a lesson on HIV/AIDS has won a settlement against the city. Faith Kramer s lawsuit in Brooklyn Federal Court had sought $2 million; the amount of the settlement was not revealed in court documen
TEXAS: Lubbock Board of Health Seeks to Reduce STD Numbers: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (08.14.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; Sarah Nightingale; The Lubbock Board of Health voted Friday to collect data on why the county s STD rates are so high, especially among teens and young adults. State data from 2008 show about one of every 45 county residents ages 15 to 24 is infected with chlamydia. Assistant City Manager Scott Snider said the board should bring the matt
VIRGINIA: Planned Parenthood Urges McDonnell to Accept Federal Money for Sex Education: Washington Post (08.17.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; Anita Kumar; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia has launched a campaign to urge Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) to apply for a federal grant to support comprehensive, as opposed to abstinence-only, sex education. PPAV s appeal to its members has resulted in 589 e-mails sent to the governor s office so far. Planned Parenthood urges Gov
FLORIDA: Students Not Tested for TB Kept Away: Palm Beach Post (08.17.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; Laura Green; On Tuesday, more than 50 students and staff at Seminole Ridge High School were asked not to attend the first day of school because they could not prove they had undergone TB screening. Last spring, a student there was found to have TB. In response, the Palm Beach County Health Department offered free TB screening in Ju
TEXAS: AIDS Arms Gets CDC Grant to Expand Prison Outreach: Dallas Voice (08.12.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; David Taffet; Helping prisoners avoid HIV and other diseases during and after incarceration is the goal of a $1.6 million, five-year CDC grant to a Dallas non-profit. Through its Free World Bound Program, AIDS Arms has provided HIV risk-reduction and assistance to prisoners in 116 Texas facilities over the past eight years. The prog
GLOBAL: Cancer Threat Rises in Developing World: Chicago Tribune (08.17.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; Kate Kelland, Reuters; The experiences of fighting HIV globally are informing a burgeoning movement to prevent, diagnose, and treat cancer in developing nations, says a Lancet article by leaders in the anti-cancer movement. For HIV, multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, and TB generally, effective therapy has become integral to control, noted th
UNITED KINGDOM: Campaign for Hepatitis Tests in Pharmacies as Deaths Rise: The Guardian (London) (08.18.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; Sarah Boseley; Testing in retail pharmacies is more likely to identify hepatitis than comparable screening in doctors offices, suggest the results of a pilot study in the UK. In response, health officials are urging the National Health Service to fund the outreach permanently. We desperately need new approaches to testing that will f
UNITED STATES: Salk Gets $21 Million to Study HIV/AIDS: San Diego Union-Tribune (08.16.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; The National Institutes of Health has awarded $21 million to a consortium led by the Salk Institute for Biological Studies to investigate how the body s immune system responds immediately after it is exposed to HIV. It is hoped the research will contribute to the development of new HIV therapies and better understandin
MINNESOTA; NORTH DAKOTA: Chlamydia Cases Surge in Minnesota, North Dakota: Worthington Daily Globe (08.04.10) - Wednesday, August 18, 2010; Andi Murphy; Youth groups, non-profits and other organizations have formed the Minnesota Chlamydia Partnership to respond to a climb in the STD there and in neighboring North Dakota. We re trying to [raise] chlamydia in Minnesota as a public health issue, said Peter Carr, STD and HIV section manager at the Minnesota Department of H
DELAWARE: State to Conduct TB Testing at Appoquinimink High: Community News (Hockessin) (08.16.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; The Delaware Division of Public Health has identified 80 students potentially at risk of TB infection at Appoquinimink High School in Middletown, where a student was diagnosed with the disease. An Aug. 12 letter from the state and the school district notified the families of the at-risk students. The ailing student was
CHINA: China Pledges to Redouble Anti-AIDS Fight: United Press International (08.12.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; China will make HIV prevention a key priority, Vice President Xi Jinping told UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe on Thursday. The government will combine the prevention and containment of HIV/AIDS with reform of the medical and health care systems to improve the people s health by strengthening the public health
UNITED STATES: Women Need to Take Lead in Safe Sex: Miami Times (04.28.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; Yolanda Young; In 1993, the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) gave its stamp of approval to a then-novel item: the female condom. Yet according to the Center for Health and Gender Equity, in 2007 about 11 billion male condoms were circulated worldwide compared with 26 million female ones. Cost used to be an issue, but it is no lo
TEXAS: A Microscope with a Macro Effect: Houston Chronicle (08.12.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; Todd Ackerman; A portable, battery-powered microscope designed by a Rice University student may help diagnose TB in low-resource settings at the point of care, according to researchers. The laboratory-grade microscopes used for such diagnoses are costly and are not optimized for portability. With off-the-shelf components, Andy Miller
UNITED STATES: Teen Sex Not Always Bad for School Performance: Associated Press (08.15.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; Alicia Chang; Teenagers in committed sexual relationships are similar to peers who abstain with regard to grade-point average, how attached they are to school, and whether they expect to attend college, according to a study presented Sunday in Atlanta at a meeting of the American Sociological Association. The results challenge the a
UNITED KINGDOM: Threat to Mobile TB Unit: Financial Times (London) (08.16.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; Andrew Jack; The United Kingdom s only mobile TB unit, which serves the homeless and other marginalized residents of London, is slated to be discontinued in December. The National Health Service is considering assigning general practitioners (GPs) to take the place of the van, which carries an X-ray machine and is staffed with a dr
CANADA: Sex Infections Soar in Ottawa: Toronto Sun (08.13.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; Jon Willing; Ottawa Public Health will ask the city council for more funding in order to meet growing demand, especially for services at the sexual health center. It s definitely packed, Program Manager Andrew Hendriks said at the Clarence Street walk-in center, which saw 4,530 people from April through June. While that is the high
UNITED STATES: Steep Drop in Circumcision in US: New York Times (08.17.10) - Tuesday, August 17, 2010; Roni Caryn Rabin; A study by CDC researchers on rates of adverse events related to infant male circumcision in the United States has stirred debate on the Internet about the cultural and health values of the procedure. Presented last month at the 18th International AIDS Conference, the retrospective study used hospital discharge data fr
NORTH CAROLINA: Siler City Burger King Customers Urged to Get Shots: WRAL.com (Raleigh) (08.13.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; In a statement issued late Friday, the Chatham County Public Health Department urged persons who ate at the Siler City Burger King on Aug. 2 or 3 to get a shot to prevent hepatitis A infection. An employee of the restaurant, located at 1712 E. 11th St., has tested positive for the virus. It is important that persons wh
GEORGIA: VA: 33 Augusta Patients Overlooked in 2009 Alerts: Associated Press (08.11.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; Last year s effort to contact patients possibly exposed to infectious bodily fluids at the Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Augusta inadvertently overlooked 33 people, the facility s director said Wednesday. Rebecca Wiley said the VA wants to test these patients even though the risk of infection is small. In
PAKISTAN: 3.5 Million Children in Pakistan at Risk, UN Says: New York Times (08.16.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; Salman Masood; Waqar Gillani; As many as 6 million people, including 3.5 million children, are at risk of disease in the wake of Pakistan s historic flood, a UN spokesperson said today. Hepatitis, typhoid, dysentery, and diarrhea-related illness all pose threats to the flood-ravaged population. We may be close to seeing this second wave of death,
MISSISSIPPI: Free STD/HIV Testing Draws a Crowd to Pascagoula Soup Kitchen: Mississippi Press (08.14.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; Kaija Wilkinson; On Friday, nearly 100 people visiting the Our Daily Bread (ODB) soup kitchen in Pascagoula took the opportunity to undergo free HIV and syphilis testing from the Mississippi Department of Health. At the Pascagoula site, people who tested also could pick up backpacks filled with goodies including $10 Walmart gift certif
MAINE: Three Contract Hepatitis A in Waldo County: Bangor Daily News (08.14.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; Bill Trotter; Maine health officials are investigating reports of hepatitis A in three residents of Waldo County, in the south-central part of the state. At least one of those identified attended a number of social functions across the state while infective, according to an advisory from the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prev
UNITED STATES: Loneliness and HIV-Related Stigma Explain Depression Among Older HIV-Positive Adults: AIDS Care Vol. 22; No. 5: P. 630-639 (05..10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; Christian Grov; Sarit A. Golub; Jeffrey T. Parsons; Mark Brennan; Stephen E. Karpiak; Service providers and researchers should assert more aggressive and innovative efforts to resolve both psychosocial and physical health issues that characterize the graying of the AIDS epidemic in the USA, according to the authors of the current study. Thanks to treatment advances, more adults with HIV are living into
CHINA: Chinese AIDS Study Urges Women Be Empowered to Reduce Vulnerability to AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (07.26.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; In China , HIV-positive rural or ethnic minority women often are unaware of their rights under the law, a study backed by the UN has found. The root cause is illiteracy, said researcher Bu Wei, a professor with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. They don t know how to protect themselves with laws and what rights t
GLOBAL: HIV Victims Positively Unwelcome: Times of India (08.14.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; Kounteya Sinha; Today, 66 countries, territories and areas deny entry, stay or residence to HIV-positive individuals, according to the International AIDS Society. Among them: 26 deport migrants testing HIV-positive; seven bar stays beyond certain timeframes; and six deny entry for the short-term. Many HIV- related travel restrictions
UNITED STATES: Gay Men Condemn Blood Ban as Biased: New York Times (08.03.10) - Monday, August 16, 2010; Jacqueline Mroz; While the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA ) mulls whether to allow gay men to donate blood, adherents on both sides of the question continue to press their case to the agency and to the public at large. No one has a right to give blood, said Dr. Steven Kleinman, senor medical adviser to the American Association of B
NEW YORK: Free HIV Testing at Weeks School: Post-Standard (Syracuse) (08.12.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; The annual Summer Sizzler community HIV testing event will take place Monday at Edwin E. Weeks Middle School, 710 Hawley Ave. in Syracuse. Free, rapid-result HIV testing will be offered from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; no appointment is necessary. For more information contact the event s sponsor, the Central New York HIV Care N
GEORGIA: Hundreds Expected for Free Health Care Clinic in Macon: Macon Telegraph (08.13.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Mike Stucka; HIV screening is just one of the services to be offered at a free clinic targeting uninsured and homeless persons Saturday in Macon. Physicians will be on hand to perform full physical exams and prescribe medications, and local pastors will offer counseling and encouragement. Licensed therapists from River Edge Behavio
TEXAS: Country Club Employee Diagnosed with Tuberculosis: KVUE.com (Austin) (08.11.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Noelle Newton; Barton Creek Resort and Spa in Travis County reports that an employee is on medical leave for TB. The facility has taken all necessary precautions regarding this issue and has been assured by the Austin Health and Human Services Department that there is no risk or cause for concern for our associates, members or guests
OHIO: Akron AIDS Collaborative Stresses Prevention, Detection of HIV, AIDS: West Side Leader (Akron) (08.12.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Kathleen Folkerth; Activists looking back at the 15-year history of the Akron AIDS Collaborative (AAC) see a microcosm of the HIV epidemic. The AIDS service organization came into being as the Akron Brother Circle to reach out to African-American men. As HIV became more prevalent among women and youth, the organization shifted focus and
UNITED STATES: Mixed Feeling About HPV Vaccine: MedPage Today (08.02.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Charles Bankhead; A sizable majority of US pediatricians and family practice physicians stock and recommend the human papillomavirus vaccine for their patients, suggest the results of a recent analysis in the journal Pediatrics. About 90 percent of respondents to a survey sent to 848 physicians said they strongly recommend the HPV vacci
CANADA: HIV Meds Don't Up Intravenous Drug Abusers' Risk- Taking: Reuters (08.12.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Amy Norton; Intravenous drug users with HIV do not increase sexual risk- taking after initiating antiretroviral therapy, according to a new Canadian study. Some short-term studies have suggested otherwise, raising concerns that ART might be associated with IDUs having more unprotected sex and more sex partners. The new study used
INDIA: Popularity of Morning-After Pills Fuels Concerns in India: Agence France Presse (07.23.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Some Indian women may be using emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) as a primary method of averting pregnancy rather than as an emergency back-up, doctors there say. In addition to increasing the risk of adverse events, regular use of ECPs is an indication that women are not using condoms to protect against HIV and STD
UKRAINE: Doctors Punished for Fighting AIDS: Inter Press Service (08.04.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Pavol Stracansky; The Ukraine government s response to injection drug use is exacerbating the country s HIV epidemic and the situation is likely to get worse, HIV activists there say. Ukraine officials are prosecuting injection drug users and thwarting medical approaches to fighting drug addiction, in the process neutralizing prevention
MISSISSIPPI: HIV/AIDS Program Budget Exceeded: Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (08.13.10) - Friday, August 13, 2010; Jerry Mitchell; The Mississippi Department of Health has overspent its Ryan White HIV/AIDS program funds by about $850,000, state officials say. Some funds have been over-allocated, said Liz Sharlot, communications director for the department. Since that time, we have made the necessary corrections, and we sent the appropriate documen
UNITED KINGDOM: Girls' HPV Vaccine Numbers Please NHS Cambridgeshire: BBC News (08.08.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; The National Health Service in Cambridgeshire has exceeded the UK target for human papillomavirus vaccination for the second year in a row, officials recently reported. More than 90 percent of Cambridgeshire girls ages 12-13 have received the vaccination in the past year, an NHS spokeswoman said. We are very pleased wi
VIETNAM: Vietnam Launches Contest to Fight HIV/AIDS: Xinhua News Agency (08.11.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; The Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the World Bank office in Vietnam are sponsoring a contest seeking the best ideas to contain the spread of HIV and mitigate its socio-economic impact. Communication themes center on awareness, disease- reduction interventions, prevention of vertical transmission, and support and tre
RUSSIA: Nine out of 10 Russian Prisoners Are Sick, Prosecutors Say: Bloomberg Businessweek (08.11.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; Lucian Kim; More than 90 percent of the inmates in Russian prisons have some type of disease, often socially significant conditions such as tuberculosis, hepatitis, and HIV, according to a posting on the website of the country s prosecutor general. The death in November of a Moscow tax attorney in pretrial detention raised awarene
CALIFORNIA: San Francisco Marks 20th Anniversary of Ryan White CARE Act: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.12.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; Seth Hemmelgarn; On the steps of the Civic Center next Wednesday, Aug. 18, the San Francisco community will gather to mark the 20th anniversary of the passage of the Ryan White CARE Act. The event from noon to 1 p.m. will commemorate how the Ryan White legislation has helped establish a system of HIV/AIDS care for people locally and na
UNITED KINGDOM: Free Drugs May Help More Get Chlamydia Treatment: Reuters Health (06.10.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; Genevra Pittman; Many partners of chlamydia patients will seek out antibiotics for the infection if provided a voucher, according to a recent study. The results suggest a way to expand treatment for the STD among people who want to avoid clinics and may not otherwise get treated, said the study authors. Over 18 months, doctors in Lothi
KENYA: Assessment of Changes in Condom Use Among Female Sex Workers in a Prospective Cohort Study Introducing Diaphragm Use for Disease Prevention: American Journal of Epidemiology doi:10.1093/aje/kwq158 (07.26.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; Maria F. Gallo; Lee Warner; April J. Bell; Jeffrey Wiener; David A. Eschenbach; Elizabeth A. Bukusi; Anjali Sharma; Betty Njoroge; Elizabeth Ngugi; Denise J. Jamieson; In the current study, the researchers assessed changes in condom use rate and number of sex partners among 140 female sex workers in Kibera, Kenya , who participated in a six-month study of diaphragm use to prevent STDs during 2004-2005. Analyses were stratified by partner type, and multivariable Tobit regression model
AUSTRALIA: Schools Urged to Install Free Condom Machines: Australian Broadcasting Corporation News (08.06.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; Amy Simmons; The government should provide free, easily accessible contraceptives to help stem STDs and unplanned pregnancies among Australian teens, say Family Planning Victoria officials. Placing condom machines in high schools, as part of a broader sexual health program, would be a great start, said Sally Cockburn, FPV s chair.
GLOBAL: Going Beyond HIV: Doctors Urged to Fight Patients' Other Illnesses Too: Chicago Tribune (08.11.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; Ed Finkel; The care of HIV-positive individuals should include close attention to the co-morbid conditions that can arise from the infection or HIV treatment, says a study presented at the recent 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna. We just want to make sure that both patients and doctors treating people with HIV don t j
NORTH CAROLINA: Sex Education Changes Coming to North Carolina Schools: Asheville Citizen-Times (08.08.10) - Thursday, August 12, 2010; Julie Ball; Many North Carolina students returning to school after the summer break will see changes in their sex education courses as educators implement the state s 2009 Healthy Youth Act. The law ensures the availability of information on contraceptives, STDs, and sexual assault. Under the act, school systems are no longer requ
ZAMBIA: UNDP Says HIV/AIDS Still Posing Development Challenges to Zambia: Xinhua News Agency (08.10.10) - Wednesday, August 11, 2010; HIV/AIDS continues to present a major challenge to development efforts in Zambia , a senior UN Development Program official told the Times of Zambia this week. Outgoing UNDP Resident Representative in Zambia, Macleod Nyirongo, made his remarks at a ceremony marking the presentation of a UN red-ribbon award to Zambia, w
UNITED STATES: Black AIDS Institute Launches Treatment Network: POZ Magazine (08.10.10) - Wednesday, August 11, 2010; The Black AIDS Institute has announced the launch of the Black Treatment Advocates Network. The purpose of the network, described as the first collaborative group of its kind, is to link HIV-positive African Americans to treatment, reduce health disparities, and unify advocacy efforts. In partnership with local AIDS se
COLORADO: No New Cases of Hepatitis A Reported in Grand County: Sky-Hi Daily News (Granby, Colorado) (08.10.10) - Wednesday, August 11, 2010; Tonya Bina; As of Monday, no new hepatitis A infections had been reported in Grand Lake since health officials announced last week a confirmed case in a restaurant worker. The two restaurants where the patient worked have been extremely cooperative, said health officials, and patrons can safely dine at both establishments. Nonethe
CANADA: Tattoo Artists Need Closer Monitoring, Study Says: Vancouver Sun (08.07.10) - Wednesday, August 11, 2010; Vivian Luk; Tattooing is associated with a higher risk of hepatitis C, Canadian researchers found in a newly published review and meta-analysis of studies from 30 countries. Individuals with multiple tattoos over large swaths of skin were at a higher risk of contracting hepatitis C, said lead author Dr. Siavash Jafari of the Unive
UNITED KINGDOM: Older Adults Get HIV Diagnosis Later, Die Sooner: Reuters (08.05.10) - Wednesday, August 11, 2010; HIV prevention efforts should focus more on those over 50, suggests a recent study of adults in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland . Almost half of the 8,255 older HIV-positive adults in the study acquired their infection at age 50 or older, according to the report in the journal AIDS.
UNITED STATES: Vertex: Telaprevir Could Shorten Hep C Treatment: Associated Press (08.10.10) - Wednesday, August 11, 2010; Some patients taking an experimental hepatitis C drug plus standard therapy achieved rapid, extended viral responses after a shortened course of therapy, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc. reported on Tuesday. The clinical ILLUMINATE trial evaluated whether there would be any benefit to extending therapy from 24 to 48 weeks i
UNITED STATES: Georgia's AIDS Drug Waiting List Second Longest: Project Q Atlanta (08.10.10) - Wednesday, August 11, 2010; The number of patients on waiting lists for help through state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) stood at 2,359 at the end of July, a 65 percent increase in only one month, according to a report by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors. Among the 13 states that were maintaining waiting lists,
ILLINOIS: BEHIV Celebrates 20: Windy City Times (Chicago) (08.04.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Mason Harrison; At a private home in Chicago s Rogers Park neighborhood recently, donors and supporters marked the 20th anniversary of Better Existence with HIV. Executive Director Eric Nelson said that despite the poor economy and scarcity of state funding, BEHIV is moving forward with plans to assist new clients: We ve added three n
KENTUCKY: University of Louisville Gets $3 Million Grant for Cancer Research: Courier Journal (Louisville) (08.05.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Laura Ungar; The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded a $3.15 million grant to the University of Louisville to support the work of the Owensboro Cancer Research Program. OCRP is a partnership of the university s Brown Cancer Center and the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center at Owensboro Medical Health System. Th
CALIFORNIA: HIV/AIDS Kids Enjoying Their Own Magical Summer: Daily News of Los Angeles (07.27.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Susan Abram; For the sixth summer in a row, HIV-positive children and young adults from all over the West Coast have come to Camp Kindle, a free camp in the Santa Clarita Valley, for the fun and games their HIV-negative peers take for granted. I like coming to this camp because there s a lot to talk about, said a 14-year-old who, a
CANADA: Love the Glove: Glove Use in Hospitals Appears to Cut Risk of Needlestick Injury: Canadian Press (07.31.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Helen Branswell; Wearing gloves reduces the risk of injury by needles and sharp medical devices, or sharps injuries, by about 66 percent, according to a new study by Canadian and US researchers. Double-gloving brought the risk down further, by about 80 percent. The study involved 636 health care workers from 13 medical centers in the
CANADA: Only 74 Percent of Canadians Would Get HIV Vaccine: Study: Toronto Sun (08.04.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Even a 100 percent effective HIV vaccine would likely be attractive to only three-quarters of Canadians, suggest the results of a recent study by University of Toronto researchers. One reason for rebuffing a vaccine, said a study co-author, is that many people believe it would be irrelevant to them. Peter Newman, a pro
INDIA: Bid to Expand Female Condom Program to 17 States: Times of India (New Delhi) (08.03.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Kounteya Sinha; In the next few months, India will expand its female condom program from eight states to 17, HIV prevention officials said recently. India used to import female condoms, a costly practice, but the National AIDS Control Organization now purchases them from Hindustan Latex Limited. NACO buys the condoms for 20 rupees (43
CHINA: China Takes More Aid Money for AIDS and Malaria than African Countries: The Telegraph (London) (08.05.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Malcolm Moore; Since its launch, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria has given China nearly $1 billion in grants. Despite this, few countries forced to compete for health grants with the world s second-largest economic power have voiced any opposition, according to Jack Chow. A former US ambassador on global HIV/AIDS, Chow
UTAH: Chlamydia Infections Slowing in Utah: Salt Lake Tribune (08.05.10) - Tuesday, August 10, 2010; Heather May; Last year, Utah recorded 6,148 chlamydia cases, according to data recently released by the state Department of Health. The total is 130 more than were logged in 2008, an increase of 2 percent, compared to annual growth in chlamydia cases of between 5 percent and 19 percent during the past decade. It s still going up, i
SOUTH KOREA: Migrant Workers in Seoul to Be Given Free Mobile TB Checkups: Korea Times (08.05.10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Kim Su-yon; In Seoul, officials said the city will intensify a mobile free TB screening program targeting migrant workers, the homeless, and others at risk of the disease. TB screening will be offered on the third Sunday of each month at churches and labor support centers, as well as at rehabilitation, welfare, and senior centers.
COLORADO: Shots Urged for Patrons of Two Eateries: Denver Post (08.07.10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Howard Pankratz; On Friday, the Grand County Public Health Department announced that a worker employed at two Grand Lake restaurants has confirmed hepatitis A. People who ate at Max and T s between July 26 and July 30 or Sagebrush BBQ and Grill between July 24 and Aug. 3 may be at risk of hepatitis A and should receive immune globulin
UNITED STATES: Kerry Takes Aim at 'Silent Killer' Hepatitis: TheBostonChannel.com (08.05.10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; On Thursday, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) filed a measure authorizing nearly $600 million over the next five years to fund a national strategy to prevent and control viral hepatitis, according to a statement from Kerry s office. If enacted, federal health agencies would develop a national program that expands chronic vira
ILLINOIS: West Side Community Activists Encourage People to Talk and Get Tested: Austin Weekly News (Oak Park) (08.04.10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Vee L. Harrison; The East and West Garfield Prevention Coalition - churches, social service providers, educators, and community organizations on Chicago s West Side - recently organized a training session to raise awareness of the disease and encourage testing among community residents. The coalition is focusing on the West Side towns
UNITED STATES: Men Who Have Sex with Men in the United States: Demographic and Behavioral Characteristics and Prevalence of HIV and HSV-2 Infection: Results from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2006: Sexually Transmitted Diseases Vol. 37; No. 6: P. 399-405 (06..10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Fujie Xu; Maya R. Sternberg; Lauri E. Markowitz; The team undertook the current study to describe demographic and behavioral characteristics, together with HIV and herpes simplex virus type 2 infections, among men who have sex with men (MSM) identified through a population-based nationally representative survey. The study data were drawn from the National Health and
UNITED STATES: Adolescents' Reports of Communication with Their Parents About Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Birth Control: 1988, 1995 and 2002: Journal of Adolescent Health Vol. 46; No. 6: P. 532-537 (06..10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Anna C. Robert, MSN; Freya L. Sonenstein, PhD; Adolescents reports of discussions with their parents regarding STDs and birth control methods from 1988 to 2002 were the subject of the current report. The study is based on data from the 1988 and 1995 National Survey of Adolescent Males and from the 1988, 1995 and 2002 National Survey of Family Growth. The sample inc
AFRICA: Desperate Heroin Addicts Inject Blood of Other Users: New York Times (07.13.10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Donald G. McNeil Jr.; A few cities in Africa are reporting that drug addicts in search of a high are turning to injecting themselves with the heroin-tainted blood of another addict. The reports of flashblood or, alternately, flushblood, come from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania ; on the island of Zanzibar; and in Mombasa,
TEXAS: Poll Shows Most Texans Support Sex Education: San Antonio Express-News (07.14.10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Gary Scharrer; A statewide opinion poll of 972 likely voters finds eight of 10 Texans support high school sex education that includes discussion about contraceptives, condoms, and abstinence. Most of those surveyed also support letting teachers and educators, rather than the State Board of Education, create public school curriculum s
UNITED STATES: Cancer-Causing Virus Found More Often: News and Observer (Raleigh NC) (07.24.10) - Monday, August 09, 2010; Sarah Avery; Few studies have established a causal link between oral sex and human papillomavirus-related head and neck cancers, although several recent US and European studies have noted an increase in such cancers. Oral sex is one means by which HPV can be transmitted, note public health officials. A third of head and neck cancer
CALIFORNIA: Shanti Volunteer Training: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.05.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; Cynthia Laird; San Francisco s Shanti Project will kick-off its next round of volunteer training on Friday, Aug. 13. Persons who complete the 25-hour course are paired with a client with HIV/AIDS or breast cancer, for whom they provide emotional support, practical assistance, and companionship. For more information, contact Megan Obr
CALIFORNIA: Emerging AIDS Treatment Forum: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (08.05.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; Cynthia Laird; At a community forum in San Francisco on Wednesday, Aug. 11, experts will present key developments from the recent 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna. The Stop AIDS Project and the San Francisco Department of Public Health are sponsoring the event, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Stop AIDS Jen Hecht will be the mod
KENTUCKY: Church, Hope Center Band Together Against HIV/AIDS: Lexington Herald-Leader (08.04.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; An HIV/AIDS awareness event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 14 at Lexington s Douglass Park. The outreach is being presented by St. Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church and the Hope Center, a community agency assisting homeless and at-risk persons. In addition to food, live music, and inflatables for the
FRANCE: Impact of Individual Antiretroviral Drugs on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Human Immunodeficiency Virus- Infected Patients: Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 170; No. 14: P. 1228-1238 (07.26.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; Sylvie Lang, MSc; Murielle Mary-Krause, PhD; Laurent Cotte, MD; Jacques Gilquin, MD; Marialuisa Partisani, MD; Ann Simon, MD; Franck Boccara, MD, PhD; Dominique Costagliola, PhD; for the Clinical Epidemiology Group for the French Hospital Database on HIV; The authors noted that the role of exposure to specific antiretroviral drugs on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI) in HIV-positive patients has been a subject of debate in medical literature. To assess whether we confirmed the association between exposure to abacavir and risk of [MI] and to estimate the i
UNITED STATES: Problematic Alcohol Use and HIV Risk Among Black Men Who Have Sex with Men in Massachusetts: AIDS Care Vol. 22; No. 5: P. 577-587 (05..10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; Sari L. Reisner; Matthew J. Mimiaga; Sean Bland; Margie Skeer; Kevin Cranston; Deborah Isenberg; Maura Driscoll; Kenneth H. Mayer; Black men who have sex with men (MSM) and engage in HIV risk behaviors may be more likely to have concurrent problematic alcohol use, according to the current study. Between January and July 2008, 197 black MSM were recruited via modified respondent-driven sampling in Massachusetts. Participants completed an interviewe
SOUTH AFRICA: South Africa Recruiting Men to Combat AIDS: Detroit Free Press (08.04.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; The ideal South African man, according to a new anti-AIDS campaign, is monogamous, uses condoms, and does not hit women. There is a new man in South Africa, announces the tag line in radio, television, billboard, and newspaper ads. Sober, responsible faces depict men in all types of jobs, including a miner and a busine
GLOBAL: It Works, but Female Condom Neglected in Anti-AIDS Battle: Agence France Presse (07.20.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; The public still knows very little about the female condom, despite its incredibly high rate of acceptability among both men and women, Oxfam s Jim Clarken said at the recent 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna. The CEO of Oxfam Ireland joined other AIDS campaigners in calling for efforts to raise th
UNITED STATES: Foundation Targets HIV/AIDS Awareness in Minority Communities: New York Amsterdam News (06.17.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; Glenn Townes; With an emphasis on minority communities in Southern states, the Ford Foundation is donating $5 million annually for the next five years to grassroots groups fighting HIV/AIDS. The $25 million program is giving special attention to Washington, D.C., where about 3 percent of the predominantly African-American population
UNITED STATES: No Pap Smears for Women Under 21: Guidelines: Reuters (07.21.10) - Friday, August 06, 2010; Frederik Joelving; Most women should not bother getting a Pap test until they turn 21, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). However, certain populations under 21 that still do need screening are detailed in new ACOG guidelines. Exceptions include women with compromised immune systems, since they ca
ESTONIA: 222 Persons Diagnosed with HIV in Seven Months: Baltic News Service (08.02.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; Data from the National Health Board show that Estonia registered 222 new HIV cases in the first seven months of 2010, including 28 in July. Most of the newly diagnosed patients live in East-Viru County. New HIV cases have been trending downward in recent years: The nation logged its highest count, 1,474 new cases, in 2
FIJI: Growing HIV/AIDS Cases in Fiji Worrying: Xinhua News Agency (07.29.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; Fiji registered 21 new HIV cases through June this year, prompting Health Ministry officials to call on the entire nation - including religious groups, parents, and teachers - to do more to fight AIDS. Forty-three cases were logged in all of 2009 in Fiji, whose population stands at just over 850,000.
CHINA: Chinese Youth Turn to Internet for Information About Sex: Survey: Xinhua News Agency (08.04.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; In a recent survey of 3,000 Chinese teenagers, more than three-fourths identified the Internet as their most important source of information on sex. Books and friends followed, with school and parents ranked as the least important resources. Even so, 71 percent said the web s obscene content is disturbing for teens. Th
NORTH CAROLINA: Brunswick County Students Will Begin STD, Contraceptives Education in the Fall: WETC.com (Wilmington) (08.04.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; On Tuesday, the Brunswick County School Board voted 3-2 to approve offering a more comprehensive sex education curriculum for middle school students. Under a new state law signed by Gov. Beverly Perdue, school districts are required to offer more than abstinence-only sex education. Students must be taught about STDs, c
PENNSYLVANIA: Philly Health Unit Says Gonorrhea on the Rise: Philadelphia Inquirer (08.04.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; Josh Goldstein; In an advisory sent Monday to health care providers, Philadelphia health officials warned that reported gonorrhea cases rose 26 percent in the first half of 2010 compared with the same period in 2009. The Philadelphia Department of Public Health said 2,876 gonorrhea cases were diagnosed in the first six months of this
UNITED STATES: History of Forced Sex and Recent Sexual Risk Indicators Among Young Adult Males: Perspectives on Sexual & Reproductive Health Vol. 42; No. 2; doi: 10.1363/4208710 (06..10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; Laureen H. Smith; Jodi Ford; The authors undertook the current study to learn whether young men who have been forced to have sex are at heightened risk of sexual risk-taking and whether that risk varies according to the gender of the perpetrator. The study was based upon data from 1,400 males, ages 18-24, who participated in the 2002 National Surv
LATVIA: HIV Prevention in Latvia Nearly Non-Existent Due to Multiple Reorganizations: Baltic News Service (07.20.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; Organizational changes and staff shortages are hampering the fight against HIV/AIDS in Latvia , a local expert there says. And both problems have been partly responsible for the lack of outreach to high-risk groups documented in a recent UNICEF report, said Iveta Skripste, a public health methodologist with the Latvian
UNITED STATES: Merck Reports Encouraging Results for Hepatitis C Treatment: Wall Street Journal (08.04.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; Peter Loftus; On Wednesday, Merck & Co. reported promising news about its experimental hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment boceprevir, a protease inhibitor. In two late-stage clinical trials, patients taking boceprevir in addition to standard pegylated interferon and ribavirin had higher rates of sustained virological response tha
UNITED STATES: Federal Government Announces $42 Million in HIV Prevention Grants: The Hill (Washington, D.C.) (08.03.10) - Thursday, August 05, 2010; Julian Pecquet; On Tuesday, CDC announced it has awarded $42 million in grants to 133 community-based organizations (CBOs) fighting HIV/AIDS in 28 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico , and the US Virgin Islands . The National HIV/AIDS Strategy unveiled last month at the White House emphasizes targeting those at greatest risk
INDIA: Gay Condom Launched in India: The Advocate (08.03.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; A new condom brand, Spice Up, is being targeted to men who have sex with men in India . Hindustan Latex Family Planning Promotion Trust and the National AIDS Control Organization say a study found that gay and bisexual men were not using condoms because those designed for vaginal sex caused discomfort, according to Ga
GEORGIA: Congressman Hosts Health Fair in South Fulton: Atlanta Journal-Constitution (08.03.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; April Hunt; Free screenings for HIV, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health concerns will be offered at the annual 13th Congressional District Health Fair on Aug. 14 in Jonesboro. This year s event, which takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., will focus particularly on diabetes. Professionals will be on hand to answer quest
INDIANA: Lincoln Grants: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette (08.01.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; Lincoln Financial Foundation has announced more than $720,000 in education grants for 22 local non-profits. Among the grantees is the Youth Empowerment Program, which is receiving $60,000. The six- to eight-week outreach works to educate 13- to 19-year-olds about HIV/AIDS, STDs and unplanned pregnancy in an environment
TEXAS: Thousands Treated to Free Concert for Knowing Their HIV/AIDS Status: KHOU.com (Houston) (08.02.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; Nakia Cooper; More than 15,000 young people attended Saturday s fourth annual Hip Hop for HIV concert at Houston s Reliant Center. Though the show was free, ticket holders had to go through testing and education for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. Clinic sites across the city offered testing to anyone ages 13-40, and Housto
FRANCE: Changes in Sexual Behaviors: from Secular Trends to Public Health Policies: AIDS Vol. 24; No. 8: P. 1185-1191 (05.15.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; Nathalie Bajos; Michel Bozon; Nathalie Beltzer; Caroline Laborde; Armelle Andro; Michele Ferrand; Veronique Goulet; Anne Laporte; Charlotte Le Van; Henri Leridon; Sharman Levinson; Nicolas Razafindratsima; Laurent Toulemon; Josiane Warszawaski; Kaye Wellings; The study authors explored the relative contribution of secular trends and public health policies to changes in sexual behavior. Data from a random probability survey of sexual behavior of people ages 18-69 in 2006 (n=12,364) were compared with those from two surveys performed in 1970 (n=2,625) and 1992 (n=20,055).
SOUTH KOREA: Hepatitis B Linked to Lymphoma in Study: Reuters (08.03.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; Maggie Fox; New research finds that people chronically infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV) are nearly two times as likely to develop non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). HBV is already known to cause liver cancer - around 340,000 cases globally each year - and some researchers have suspected it might cause lymphoma, a cancer of the blood
CHINA: AIDS Expert Tells China's Gay Men to Face Up to Responsibilities: Xinhua News Agency (07.30.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; Du Jie Shang Yang; Xu Yalan; Men who have sex with men need to shoulder more of the burden for preventing new HIV infections among MSM in China, the head of the China Program of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation said during a news broadcast Friday. Unprotected sex between men has become the main route of HIV infection in Beijing this year, a
SOUTH CAROLINA: S.C. Prison Chief: Lawsuit Coming over HIV Inmates: Associated Press (08.03.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; Meg Kinnard; The US Department of Justice may sue South Carolina over a policy that segregates HIV-positive state inmates, the director of the state Department of Corrections (DOC) said Tuesday during a meeting of the governor s Cabinet. Jon Ozmint said the DOJ s June 22 letter indicated the government would sue within 90 days unle
UNITED STATES: FDA Warns Against Using Miracle Mineral Solution: CNN.com (08.02.10) - Wednesday, August 04, 2010; The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers to immediately discontinue use of a supplement claiming to treat a range of diseases from HIV to hepatitis following reports it is making people sick. When used as directed, Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS), also marketed under the name Miracle Mineral Supplement, pro
TEXAS: Honors: Star-Telegram (Fort Worth) (08.01.10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; The AIDS Outreach Center has been named the recipient of the 2010 Best of Fort Worth Award in the Social Service Center category by the US Commerce Association. Active in Tarrant and seven surrounding rural counties, AOC provides HIV prevention and advocacy services as well as assistance to HIV patients and their famil
PHILIPPINES: Philippines Worried About Rapid Rise in HIV/AIDS Cases: Deutsche Presse-Agentur (08.03.10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; Responding to a worrying spike in new HIV/AIDS diagnoses, the Philippines health department today vowed to increase its outreach to those most at risk. The nation logged 109 new HIV/AIDS cases in June, compared to 40 for June 2009. In the first six months of 2010, the department tallied 809 HIV/AIDS cases, compared to
CHINA: China Details Plan to Fight Co-Infection of HIV and TB: Xinhua News Agency (08.03.10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; The Ministry of Health has released a brochure warning health authorities that TB has become a leading cause of death among Chinese HIV patients. The ministry has ordered increased cooperation and information sharing between health personnel involved in fighting HIV/AIDS and those working against TB. It further ordered
WASHINGTON: At-Risk Groups Urged to Get Tested for Hepatitis B: Seattle Times (07.28.10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; John Lok; The King County Department of Health recommends that all high- risk populations be tested for hepatitis B - particularly individuals from regions where the virus is endemic, injecting drug users and persons with multiple sex partners. Most patients think if they don t have symptoms, they must be fine, said Dr. Kris Kow
UNITED STATES: Socioeconomic Gradients in Sexually Transmitted Diseases: A Geographic Information System-Based Analysis of Poverty, Race/Ethnicity, and Gonorrhea Rates in California, 2004-2006: American Journal of Public Health Vol. 100; No. 6: P. 1060- 1067 (06..10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; Yuri P. Springer, PhD; Michael C. Samuel, DrPH; Gail Bolan, MD; To investigate how the spatial dispersion of gonorrhea cases varied among the four dominant racial/ethnic groups in California, the current study quantified the relationship between gonorrheal infection rates in the state and a measure of poverty status. From 2004 to 2006, reported gonorrhea cases were geocoded, and po
EASTERN EUROPE; CENTRAL ASIA: Eastern European Street Kids Facing 'HIV Epidemic': CNN.com (07.19.10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; Simon Hooper; Drug use and high-risk sexual behavior among vulnerable youths, together with concurrent stigma, are fueling an underground HIV epidemic in much of the former Soviet Union, says a recent UNICEF report. Eastern Europe and Central Asia are the world s only regions where new HIV infections continue to rise, according to
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: D.C. Pushes Female Condoms to Fight HIV Epidemic: Associated Press (07.28.10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; Jessica Gresko; In the hope that better access translates to more use, Washington is distributing the FC2 female condom citywide. The District has one of the country s highest HIV infection rates: A 2009 study found roughly 3 percent of residents age 12 and older were HIV-positive. Five community groups are handing out 500,000 FC2 con
CALIFORNIA: California Pressures Bristol-Myers Squibb on Cost of AIDS Drug: Sacramento Bee (07.29.10) - Tuesday, August 03, 2010; Bobby Caina Calvan; Phillip Reese; In the last decade, the number of clients seeking help from California s AIDS Drug Assistance Program has grown by 60 percent. Concurrently, ADAP s spending on drugs has ballooned by almost 200 percent, from $302 for each antiretroviral prescription a decade ago to $583 per prescription today. Now state officials are c
FLORIDA: Miami VA: Remaining Veterans Notified of Disease Exposure: Miami Herald (07.29.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Fred Tasker; The Department of Veterans Affairs hospital in Miami said Wednesday it had succeeding in contacting all 79 veterans it failed to notify last year regarding a potential viral exposure. In March 2009, the facility said mistakes in the sterilization of colonoscopy equipment between 2004 and 2009 may have exposed more than
MISSOURI: 4 VA Patients Have Hepatitis: St. Louis Post-Dispatch (07.31.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Tim O'Neil; A Veterans Health Administration spokesperson said Friday that four patients of the dental clinic at the VA s John A. Cochrane Medical Center in St. Louis have tested positive for hepatitis. Two have tested positive for hepatitis B and two for hepatitis C. In June, the facility began informing 1,812 clinic patients tha
NEW YORK: More Visitors to STD Clinic, but Cases Drop: Buffalo News (07.23.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Thomas J. Prohaska; A new report to the Niagara County Board of Health indicates the number of visitors to the county s STD clinic is up, though the number of diagnosed cases is generally down. Wanda Smiley, director of patient services for the county Health Department, reported 1,538 people in 2009 visited the free clinic in the Trott Ac
UNITED KINGDOM: Hepatitis C Testing in Sexual Health Services in England, 2002-07: Results from Sentinel Surveillance: Sexually Transmitted Infections Vol. 86: P. 126-130 (04..10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Emily Tweed; Lisa Brant; Martin Hurrelle; Paul Klapper; Mary Ramsay; the Hepatitis Sentinel Surveillance Study Group; The study s goal was to describe testing for hepatitis C virus (HCV) in sexual health services in England from 2002 to 2007, using data from a sentinel surveillance study of hepatitis testing. Data on all anti-HCV tests conducted during the study period were collected from 20 participating laboratories. Test requests o
ZIMBABWE: Pregnant Teens Shun HIV Treatment for Fear of Stigmatization: Inter Press Service (07.22.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Ignatius Banda; Teenage girls in Zimbabwe who are sexually active remain a difficult group for health workers to target with HIV/AIDS prevention messages. Despite the country s programs to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission, some young mothers are unwilling or afraid of accessing antenatal health care. We now test all pregnant
GLOBAL: China, India Should Open Wallet for AIDS War: Global Fund: Agence France Presse (07.23.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Countries with emergent economies could help the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria overcome an impending shortfall in resources, its executive director says. I believe that in a globalizing world, in a world where countries like China are joining, and want to join, world governance, at a time when the G-8 is be
GLOBAL: Rage, Panic in AIDS Fight: Washington Post (07.29.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; David Brown; President Barack Obama is reneging on his commitment to make big increases in global AIDS spending, say activists, causing some to pine for his predecessor, George W. Bush. The Global Health Initiative, the Obama administration s $63 billion, six-year program, devotes $44 billion to HIV and TB. The remainder goes to ma
NEW YORK: Legislative Update: Associated Press (07.30.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Michael Gormley; Gov. David Paterson has signed into law two bills designed to encourage HIV testing and shield participants in needle- exchange programs (NEPs). One law, which takes effect Sept. 1, makes HIV testing routine in all health care settings for patients ages 13 to 64. It lets patients agree to HIV screening as part of their
UNITED STATES: Boomers May Be Last Boom of Hepatitis C: Chicago Tribune (07.26.10) - Monday, August 02, 2010; Amy Norton, Reuters; A new study of US blood donors shows a strikingly lower prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) compared with 1992-93, according to lead researcher Dr. Edward Murphy of the University of California-San Francisco. HCV is a blood-borne infection that is primarily contracted from dirty syringes, but a small number of cases
UNITED STATES: Miami Man, 22, Debuts in 'HIV+Me' Video Campaign from Logo, the Gay MTV Network: Miami Herald (07.29.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Steve Rothaus; A south Florida man is the latest spokesperson for the HIV+Me prevention and awareness campaign produced by Logo, MTV s gay-oriented network. The stigma is the biggest thing about HIV, Jesse Sanchez says in his video. Yeah, you can treat it. Yeah, people are understanding that you re not going to die, that you re not c
OHIO: AIDS Research Center Gets NIH Grant: Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH) (07.27.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; The National Institutes of Health has awarded a five-year, $9 million renewal grant to Case Western Reserve University/University Hospitals Case Medical Center for AIDS Research (CFAR). Scientists there plan new studies into how to limit HIV s transmission, how to eradicate the virus from infected patients, and how HIV
MISSOURI: Panels to Probe Problems at St. Louis VA Clinic: Associated Press (07.29.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Jim Salter; Equipment sterilization problems at the St. Louis Veterans Affairs Medical Center s dental clinic will be investigated by two independent panels, Rep. Russ Carnahan (D-Mo.) said Thursday. In June, the VA began informing 1,812 veterans who underwent dental procedures at the clinic between Feb. 1, 2009, and March 11, 201
CALIFORNIA: In Juvenile Hall, a Struggle over STD Testing: Bay Citizen (San Francisco) (07.14.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Trey Bundy; Young men test positive for chlamydia at San Francisco s juvenile hall at a rate five times that of California s general population, but political and financial support for the screening is difficult to sustain. Since May 1, screening has identified five cases of chlamydia in 170 teenage boys tested at the Youth Guidan
ARIZONA: CDC-Funded Program Offers Life Coaching for Native American Youth: Navajo Times (Window Rock, Arizona) (05.27.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Colton Shone; Track Change is a Phoenix-based program that helps gay Native American youths reduce risky behaviors that could lead to HIV infection. The CDC-funded effort provides support, guidance, and education to males ages 14-24 to help them recognize and avoid self-destructive behaviors. Gerardo Angulo, the Native health and c
UNITED STATES: Gay Couples Need HIV Prevention, Says Study: Bay Area Reporter (San Francisco) (07.15.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Matthew S. Bajko; Couples should be included in HIV prevention campaigns that have traditionally targeted only single gay and bisexual men, according to new research. The study examined sexual agreements among 566 gay male couples from the San Francisco Bay Area. These agreements consisted of decisions the couples made about whether the
LATIN AMERICA: Prevention Is Weakest Link in AIDS Fight: Inter Press Service (07.22.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Daniela Estrada; Many Latin American countries have enacted laws and policies to provide youth with sexual health education and services; implementation, however, has been spotty. At the 2008 International AIDS Conference in Mexico City, Latin American and Caribbean ministers pledged to boost by 75 percent the number of schools that of
UNITED STATES: Hope Against Hepatitis C: New York Times (07.22.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Andrew Pollack; Robust new therapies against hepatitis C virus could begin reaching the market as early as next year, and two protease inhibitors are top candidates. Though infected individuals can remain asymptomatic for decades, about 5 percent to 20 percent of people with HCV will develop cirrhosis over a period of 20 to 30 years,
NEW JERSEY: New Jersey Says AIDS Patients Won't Lose Coverage: Philadelphia Inquirer (07.30.10) - Friday, July 30, 2010; Adrienne Lu; On Thursday, New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie s administration announced that nearly 1,000 residents who are to be cut from the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) on Aug. 1 will still be able to access treatment through a temporary program. Under Christie s budget, tighter income restrictions for ADAP clients were enact
INDONESIA: Hepatitis Remains Big Problem in Indonesia: Minister: Xinhua News Agency (07.29.10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; Indonesia s health minister warned today that hepatitis is a serious issue for the nation. Even though we have carried out many programs, hepatitis remains a big problem, said Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih, who estimated that as many as 30 million Indonesians may be affected. Ali Sulaiman, of the hepatology division of th
CHINA: China Reports Surging Hepatitis C Infections: Xinhua News Agency (07.28.10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; New hepatitis C virus infections in China shot up from 70,000 in 2006 to 131,849 in 2009, the Ministry of Health reported Wednesday. According to the China Foundation for Hepatitis Prevention and Control, 38 million Chinese were infected with the virus as of the end of 2007. Because HCV and HIV share similar routes of
NEW YORK: Upstate Medical University AIDS Center Gets State Grant: Post-Standard (Syracuse) (07.14.10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; Charley Hannagan; The Designated AIDS Center at Upstate Medical University- Syracuse, which provides HIV specialty and primary care to 863 people in a 17-county region, has been awarded a five-year, $662,500 grant to expand hepatitis C treatment for co-infected HIV patients. In addition to medical care and social support, the money will
AUSTRALIA: HIV Result Giving. Is It Time to Change Our Thinking?: Sexual Health Vol. 7; No. 1: P. 8-10 (02..10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; Loretta M. Healey; Catherine C. O'Connor; David J. Templeton; An integral component of the HIV testing process is ensuring that patients receive post-test discussion when learning their results. New South Wales Health Department (NSW Health) policy recommends in-person results for all patients undergoing HIV testing. The study authors assessed the number of patients who returned
UNITED STATES: Study Finds PrEP Is Safe in Gay and Bi Men: POZ Magazine (07.26.10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; David Evans; Animal studies have suggested that antiretroviral drugs taken before exposure to HIV may prevent infection. One pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) candidate, proved safe in a new CDC study presented Friday at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna. The double-blinded study involved 400 HIV-negative men who have
ZIMBABWE: Drive to Circumcise Zimbabwean Men: AIDS Conference Told of 'Conveyor Belt' Technique: The Guardian (London) (07.21.10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; Sarah Boseley; AIDS advocates are championing the use of male circumcision, and particularly a process that allows one doctor to perform 40 procedures per day, to cut the rate of HIV among Zimbabwean men. Population Services International (PSI) officials are working with the Zimbabwean government to circumcise at least 1.2 million me
GEORGIA: AIDS Program at Capacity: Chattanooga Times Free Press (07.16.10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; Emily Bregel; Georgia has closed its AIDS Drug Assistance Program to new enrollees. A projected 125 patients will be added to the ADAP waiting list each month, and the tally could reach 1,300 by year s end without additional funding, according to state health officials. The program, which receives $12 million in state funding and $3
CALIFORNIA: Lawmakers Debate Whether to Extend, Expand, End Syringe Sales: Contra Costa Times (07.24.10) - Thursday, July 29, 2010; Josh Richman, Oakland Tribune; Over-the-counter syringe sales without a prescription will become illegal in California at the end of the year unless the Legislature takes action. The pilot program, signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegge