Circumcision News and Research

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Male circumcision may reduce HPV-associated penile precancerous lesions

A University of North Carolina-led international study shows that among Kenyan men, circumcision is associated with a lower prevalence of human papillomavirus-associated precancerous lesions of the penis.

29 Jul 2011

Rwanda testing non-surgical circumcision device in national campaign

BBC News on Sunday looked at Rwanda's national circumcision campaign, which began in December 2010 to help lower the incidence of HIV in the country.

26 Jul 2011

Circumcision prevents HIV transmission & cocktail of anti-HIV drugs prolong life

Reports came in last Wednesday that circumcision reduces transmission of HIV, in regions where transmission is high. To researchers, this procedure proves to be a cost-effective way to handle the pandemic. In South Africa, a study reported that men with circumcisions reduced new HIV infections by 76%.

24 Jul 2011

IAS conference concludes with positive news on HIV prevention

"Scientists on Wednesday wrapped up their biggest forum in the 30-year history of AIDS, unveiling stunning weapons to prevent the spread of HIV," Agence France-Presse reports about the 6th International AIDS Society Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Rome.

22 Jul 2011

Maintaining and increasing AIDS funding critical

A new report showing "research funding for four key HIV prevention options - preventive vaccines, microbicides, PrEP and operations research related to medical male circumcision" - increased in 2010 compared with 2009 "is certainly good news, but we cannot rest on our laurels," Margaret McGlynn, president and CEO of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Zeda Rosenberg, CEO of the International Partnership for Microbicides, and Mitchell Warren, executive director of AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention, write in a post on the Global Health Magazine's blog.

21 Jul 2011

IAS conference opens with push for treatment as prevention

The 6th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention taking place in Rome this week "started optimistically as the hype surrounding the use of antiretroviral treatment to prevent HIV infection gained momentum. But the focus of much discussion … will undoubtedly be on how to transform the recent promising research findings into workable policy," PlusNews reports.

20 Jul 2011

Swaziland's King Mswati urges men to get circumcised to prevent HIV infection

Swaziland's King Mswati III on Friday called on men in the kingdom to get circumcised to help reduce their risk of contracting HIV, Agence France-Presse reports. "Urging his nation to 'take care of your lives - stay away from activities that could give you the disease,' the king struck a very different note from his pronouncement to parliament a decade ago that HIV-positive people should be 'branded and sterilized,'" the news agency writes.

19 Jul 2011

Circumcision subjected to vote this November in San Francisco

The debate over whether routine circumcision of baby boys being either hygienic, safe or brutal and medically unnecessary continues in San Francisco. This November, residents will vote if the procedure shall be continued.

10 Jul 2011

South African circumcision program moving forward with support from Zulu king

NPR's Morning Edition on Monday examined how a circumcision program in South Africa's Kwa-Zulu Natal, run by the Society for Family Health at the Boom Street Community Health Clinic, "is gaining momentum" because of a decree issued last year by King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu about the importance of circumcision in helping to reduce the risk of HIV infection.

29 Jun 2011

Voluntary medical male circumcision is a cost-effective, safe way to prevent HIV

Emmanuel Njeuhmeli, a senior biomedical prevention advisor in the USAID Office of HIV/AIDS, discusses efforts to raise awareness about male circumcision as a "cost saving and effective form of HIV prevention" in a post on USAID's "Impact Blog."

29 Jun 2011

Florida officials ask Feds for more time on Medicaid pilot program

News organizations in Florida, Colorado and Louisiana report on developments in state Medicaid issues.

23 Jun 2011

Make antiretroviral therapy 'cornerstone' of HIV prevention

Ahead of the U.N. High Level Meeting on AIDS, AVAC: Global Advocacy for HIV Prevention and multiple signatories in a statement call on governments, advocates and researchers to act on the evidence from HPTN 052 and make antiretroviral therapy a cornerstone of the set of proven strategies we have to prevent and treat HIV.

9 Jun 2011

International coalition launches common platform to end AIDS epidemic

An international coalition of scientists and activists today launched a common platform for ending the AIDS epidemic. Thirty years into the epidemic, as world leaders come together at the United Nations to recommit to a global AIDS response, the broad-based international coalition issued a statement calling for world leaders to support a rational, evidence-based approach to responding to AIDS.

8 Jun 2011

New Kaiser Family Foundation tool shows which global health interventions are working

Today, the Kaiser Family Foundation unveiled an innovative, online tool that allows users to learn quickly and easily about which global health interventions work. The Global Health Intervention Review (GHIR) compiles the latest information on the efficacy of key global health interventions, including the strength of the evidence, and presents the information in a variety of accessible formats. Users can view a comprehensive overview and a key findings table.

2 Jun 2011

UNAIDS Director says Pope's comments on condoms open dialogue for HIV prevention

UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe on Saturday "told a Vatican conference [Pope Benedict XVI] had opened the door to greater dialogue with his groundbreaking comments on condoms and HIV prevention - even as Vatican officials stressed abstinence and marital fidelity as the best prevention," the Associated Press reports.

1 Jun 2011

AIDS epidemic turns 30

It is 30 years since the beginning of the AIDS epidemic. It was fatal then but has now become a treatable, if still incurable, chronic illness. AIDS therapy now has tools that prolong the lives of people infected with the virus and prevent others from acquiring it. They range from antiretroviral therapy (ART), to circumcision and campaigns to reduce promiscuity. On the horizon are gels and pills that protect against infection during intercourse. Even the outlook for an AIDS vaccine is no longer as bleak as it used to be.

31 May 2011

AVAC calls on donors, policy makers to strengthen support for AIDS vaccine research

This year HIV Vaccine Awareness Day comes at the dawn of a true prevention revolution that could finally turn the tide of the AIDS epidemic. AIDS vaccine research is a critical part of that revolution and on this day AVAC calls on donors, policy makers and others to strengthen support for AIDS vaccine research.

19 May 2011