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Rate of HIV/AIDS among Hispanics continues to rise

FINDINGS: Researchers from UCLA's Division of General Internal Medicine and Health Services Research surveyed 600 Hispanics recruited from Los Angeles County sexually transmitted disease clinics, community-based organizations and needle-exchange programs.

26 Nov 2009

Some HIV patients experience improved quality of life post diagnosis, says new study

A new study from researchers at the University of Cincinnati (UC) and the Cincinnati Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center reaffirms that some patients with HIV experience an improved quality of life following their diagnosis.

26 Nov 2009

Potentially dangerous needlestick injuries often go unreported

Medical students are commonly stuck by needles - putting them at risk of contracting potentially dangerous blood-borne diseases - and many of them fail to report the injuries to hospital authorities, according to a Johns Hopkins study published in the December issue of the journal Academic Medicine.

26 Nov 2009

Tibotec Therapeutics' INTELENCE granted FDA traditional approval

The FDA granted traditional approval for INTELENCE® (etravirine) tablets, a non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI). INTELENCE is the only NNRTI specifically indicated for use in treatment-experienced adults who are experiencing virologic failure with HIV-1 strains resistant to an NNRTI and other antiretroviral (ARV) agents.

25 Nov 2009

Global Fund approves 'in principle' $47M grant for reducing spread of HIV among MSM, transgender in South Asia

The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has approved, "in principle," a $47 million grant to reduce the spread of HIV among gay and other men who have sex with men in seven south Asian countries, IANS/Thaindian.com reports. According to a statement IANS/Thaindian.com reports was released by the Global Fund, in New Delhi, "This [project] marks the first time, the Global Fund will support a major regional project in Asia specifically addressing men who have sex with men (MSM), transgenders and HIV."

25 Nov 2009

Under-five child mortality up 20% in Zimbabwe, new data shows

UNICEF and the government of Zimbabwe announced Tuesday that, according to new social development data, the mortality rate for children under age five has risen by 20 percent since 1990, Reuters reports.

25 Nov 2009

Despite gains, HIV/AIDS remains public-health priority, UNAIDS, WHO say

"The U.N. report said 'AIDS continues to be a major public-health priority' and called for more funds to support efforts to curb the epidemic and to distribute lifesaving drugs," the Wall Street Journal reports.

25 Nov 2009

Pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies test medicines and vaccines to treat HIV/AIDS

America's pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are testing 97 medicines and vaccines to treat or prevent HIV/AIDS and related conditions, according to a new report released today by the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA).

25 Nov 2009

HAMS: A support and informational program to deal with alcohol problems

There is a new game in town when it comes to dealing with alcohol problems. It is harm reduction, offering pragmatic and realistic strategies where traditional approaches to alcohol problems have failed. Spearheading this movement is a group called HAMS -- Harm Reduction, Alcohol Abstinence and Moderation Support. HAMS is a free-of-charge, lay-led support and informational group for people who drink alcohol.

25 Nov 2009

‘Testing Millions’ campaign in conjunction with World AIDS Day launched by AHF

As part of a groundbreaking global effort to test several million people for HIV in conjunction with this year’s observation of World AIDS Day on Tuesday, December 1st, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is spearheading and coordinating the ‘Testing Millions’ campaign. The campaign, which has been organized by AHF in coalition with hundreds of global partners from 52 countries around the world, is mobilizing non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local and national governments, international relief agencies, faith-based organizations and civil society to participate.

25 Nov 2009

Obese, HIV patients do not respond to antiretroviral therapy, says new study

The immune systems of HIV patients who are obese don't respond to antiretroviral therapy as well as do those of people of normal weight, according to a study conducted by researchers from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU). The findings were presented by San Diego-based Nancy Crum-Cianflone, MD at the annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.

25 Nov 2009

Over 33m people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS/WHO report finds

An estimated 33.4 million people worldwide are living with HIV/AIDS, according to a report released Tuesday in Shanghai by the WHO and UNAIDS that shows "more people are living longer due to the availability of drugs," Reuters/Washington Post reports (Rujun/Chan, 11/24).

24 Nov 2009

Also in Global Health news: Home HIV treatment; voluntary testing in Kenya; women/HIV scorecard; Global Fund Zimbabwe grant; contraceptives in Tanzania

The New York Times reports on a Lancet study that found treating Ugandan HIV patients at home is cheaper and just as effective as treating them in a clinic.

24 Nov 2009

Gilead Sciences and GSK to commercialize Viread in 5 Asian countries

Gilead Sciences, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline today announced a licensing agreement to commercialize Viread® (tenofovir disoproxil fumarate) for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection in adults in five countries in Asia. The companies’ combined commercialization activities will expand access to Viread for the treatment of HBV, once approved, to patients in Asia where the prevalence in most countries is greater than 8 percent.

24 Nov 2009

HIV peaked in 1996, according to the United Nations

The number of HIV cases worldwide — 33 million — has remained steady during the last two years and the epidemic peaked in 1996, according to the United Nations, The Associated Press reports. The disease looks stable in most regions, except for Africa, according to the UN. "

24 Nov 2009

Ohr Pharmaceutical to develop OHR/AVR118 for cachexia treatment

Ohr Pharmaceutical Inc. is developing OHR/AVR118 for treatment of cachexia based on technology acquired earlier this year from Advanced Viral Research Corp. OHR/AVR118 has shown excellent therapeutic efficacy and safety in human clinical trials in over 100 patients with applications for cachexia in Cancer and AIDS patients, as well as Rheumatoid Arthritis.

24 Nov 2009

Health reform bill: 10 key positive and negative consumer protection provisions

Consumer Watchdog released a list today of the 10 key positive and negative consumer protection provisions of the U.S. Senate health reform bill, HR 3590, which passed an important procedural vote this weekend.

24 Nov 2009

Misconceptions about contraception contribute to lack of family-planning n Uganda

University of Alberta graduate student Jennifer Heys wants to make her message clear: there needs to be more education in Ugandan communities about contraception.

24 Nov 2009

Vitamin D: A multi-purpose nutrient for overall health

A string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of vitamin D has renewed interest in this multi-purpose nutrient, increased awareness of the huge numbers of people who are deficient in it, spurred research and even led to an appreciation of it as "nature's antibiotic."

24 Nov 2009

Opinion: China forced abortions; U.S. work in Africa; foreign aid; Uganda legislation

"One of the few incontrovertible assertions one can reasonably make is that no one supports forced abortion," syndicated columnist Kathleen Parker writes in a Detroit News opinion piece that examines reports of "coerced abortions" and involuntary sterilizations in China.

23 Nov 2009