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E-voucher program providing food to malnourished Zimbabweans living with HIV, TB

An electronic voucher system, introduced by the World Food Programme (WFP) and implemented by the health ministry and non-governmental organizations, is helping Zimbabweans living with HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis (TB) and their families obtain food and fight malnutrition, PlusNews reports.

22 Oct 2011

Bringing NTDs to the forefront of the global health agenda

In this "End the Neglect" blog post, Neeraj Mistry, managing director of the Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases, reports on the global burden of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in anticipation of the World Health Summit set to take place from October 23 to 26 in Berlin, Germany.

21 Oct 2011

Treating TB, HIV co-infections early, aggressively can save lives, multiple studies show

"Treating tuberculosis (TB) and HIV infections at the same time can be a challenge for patients and their doctors, but attacking both diseases early and aggressively isn't harmful and could save the lives of those who are sickest," according to a global study led by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

21 Oct 2011

Global Fund to transfer management of HIV/AIDS grant in Mali after investigation finds misuse of funds

"The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria will transfer management of a $28.77 million HIV/AIDS grant from Mali's national AIDS council, the Haut Conseil de Lutte contre le Sida (the High Council for the Fight Against AIDS, or HCLNS), to a new principal recipient at the end of the year" after mismanagement of funds was discovered in the country, a Global Fund press release reports.

21 Oct 2011

Study examines potential benefits of discordant couple HIV therapy

A new study published online in the journal AIDS uses mathematical models to predict the potential impact of treating discordant couples with antiretroviral therapy, according to a Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health press release.

20 Oct 2011

HIV advocates in Uganda 'losing faith' as country works to prevent, treat new infections, PlusNews reports

PlusNews examines how "corruption scandals, frequent treatment shortages and accusations of a misguided prevention program" have undermined progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Uganda, a country that had "won plaudits in the early days of the epidemic for the aggressive stance taken by President Yoweri Museveni." Uganda "lowered its HIV prevalence from 18 percent in the early 1990s to about six percent in 2000," the news service notes.

20 Oct 2011

Acute HCV screening strategy for HIV-infected individuals

Researchers at The Miriam Hospital demonstrated a practical strategy for regularly screening HIV-infected patients for acute hepatitis C virus infection (HCV), a "silent epidemic" that is rising undetected in this population and can lead to serious health complications.

19 Oct 2011

Report estimates human impact of cuts to U.S. global health spending over next five years

"Thousands of lives and years of gains made against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis (TB) and malaria could be lost if proportional reductions are made to achieve the $1.2 trillion in spending reductions required by the Budget Control Act of 2011," according to a report issued on Monday by the Foundation for AIDS Research (amfAR), the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog reports.

19 Oct 2011

Roundup: Mass. contemplates 'global payments'; rural hospitals struggling; Oregon liability cost studied

Although important details remain to be negotiated, the legislative leaders and Gov. Deval Patrick, all Democrats, are working toward a plan that would encourage flat "global payments" to networks of providers for keeping patients well, replacing the fee-for-service system that creates incentives for excessive care by paying for each visit and procedure.

19 Oct 2011

NanoViricides President completes stock sales program

NanoViricides, Inc. announced that its President, Dr. Anil Diwan, has completed the programmed sale of the NanoViricides stock that he had obtained as a founder.

18 Oct 2011

BGU substance abuse expert wins U.S. National Distinguished International Scientist Award

Prof. Richard Isralowitz, of Israel's Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU), recently received the U.S. National Distinguished International Scientist Award for his work as director of the Regional Alcohol and Drug Abuse Resources (RADAR) Center.

18 Oct 2011

Rep. Lee asks Obama to take leadership role in fight against HIV/AIDS

According to the Center for Global Health Policy's "Science Speaks" blog, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) on Thursday sent a letter to President Barack Obama asking for "his leadership in launching a renewed global effort to end the AIDS pandemic on World AIDS Day, December 1."

18 Oct 2011

FDA clears Cook Medical's Evolution Duodenal Controlled-Release Stent

Cook Medical announced today that its Evolution Duodenal Controlled-Release Stent was recently granted 510(k) clearance by the Food & Drug Administration.

18 Oct 2011

Globe and Mail reports on death of Zambian HIV/AIDS advocate Winstone Zulu

Toronto's Globe and Mail reports on the death on Thursday of Winstone Zulu, an HIV/AIDS advocate from Zambia who lived with the virus for two decades. "His death has devastated the international community of AIDS activists," the newspaper writes.

18 Oct 2011

Myths and misconceptions about diabetes

November is designated American Diabetes Month and while raising awareness this month about preventing diabetes is important, focusing on proper treatment is just as important for those living with the disease.

15 Oct 2011

HHWC medical doctors provide insight into depression

A staggering 230 million antidepressant prescriptions are filled each year. Yet the face of depression does not always fit the mold: a successful career, loving spouse, wonderful children, seemingly good health and finances. From the outside life appears perfect, so why are Americans depressed?

15 Oct 2011

Emergency grant to end U.S. AIDS drug crisis gets rejected

The Global Fund for AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has notified the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) that an application it submitted on behalf of the United States for an emergency grant of $50 million to end the ongoing AIDS drug crisis in the U.S. is being rejected because, as one of the wealthiest nations in the world, "the United States is not eligible for funding from the Global Fund."

14 Oct 2011

Merck announces results from ISENTRESS Phase III combination study on HIV-1

Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced results of new exploratory pre-specified analyses from the ongoing STARTMRK Phase III study of its integrase inhibitor ISENTRESS (raltegravir) Tablets in combination therapy compared to efavirenz in combination therapy in previously untreated adult HIV-1-infected patients.

14 Oct 2011

Insight into how powerful anti-HIV antibody grabs hold of the virus

Researchers at The Scripps Research Institute have uncovered the surprising details of how a powerful anti-HIV antibody grabs hold of the virus. The findings, published in Science Express on October 13, 2011, highlight a major vulnerability of HIV and suggest a new target for vaccine development.

14 Oct 2011

BHI warns consumers about inherent risks linked with hearing devices

The Better Hearing Institute (BHI) is warning consumers of the inherent risks associated with purchasing over-the-counter, one-size-fits-all hearing aids instead of consulting a hearing healthcare professional.

14 Oct 2011