HIV AIDS

MSM Most Affected By HIV/AIDS

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:11:27 -0600

Men who have sex with men are the most affected by HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts, according to a report released by the state Department of Public Health ahead of World AIDS Day, the AP/Worcester Telegram reports. According to the report, although Massachusetts has seen success in curbing the spread of HIV/AIDS among injection drug users and heterosexual men and women, it has had less success among MSM. "The message of prevention is missing too many men in Massachusetts," Kevin Cranston, director of the health department's HIV/AIDS Bureau, said.

Taboo About HIV/AIDS In Hispanic Community

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:07:40 -0600

"With the threat of so many deadly diseases out there, AIDS awareness seems to have taken a backseat," Maria Salinas, a television anchor at Noticiero Univision, writes in a Fresno Bee opinion piece, adding, "We have seen an increase in campaigns to educate people on the threat of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, among others, but AIDS continues to be the unmentionable disease."

India Promotes Safer Sex, HIV Awareness

ruzik_tuzik — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 12:04:02 -0600

Members of India's community of hijras -- pre- and post-operative transsexuals and cross-dressers -- who work as commercial sex workers are helping to promote awareness about safer sex and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, AFP/Google.com reports. According to AFP/Google.com, hijra sex workers often refuse to engage in sex unless the client uses a condom. The hijra communities provide information about HIV risks and protection in India, where discussion about sex is generally taboo and formal sex education is largely absent from schools.

EU Calls For Focus On Prevention, HIV Testing

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:10:39 -0600

Twenty-five years after HIV was first isolated by researchers, there is still no cure or vaccine against AIDS. It is estimated that today, more than 30 million people worldwide live with HIV/AIDS, and about 2 million people die every year. Over two thirds of these deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa. In Europe, more than 700,000 people are living with HIV/AIDS with 30,000 new infections reported annually.

China Pledges To Fight HIV-Associated Stigma

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:07:52 -0600

Chinese health officials and UNAIDS on Sunday pledged to fight HIV-associated stigma and discrimination by displaying a large red ribbon, an international symbol of HIV/AIDS awareness, at the Olympic Bird's Nest stadium in Beijing, AP/Google.com reports.

NYC Reports Early Success In Bronx-Wide HIV Testing Initiative

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:06:44 -0600

Early results show that HIV testing has increased by 20% since the launch of a borough-wide testing campaign earlier this year. The Health Department released the encouraging findings today, as part of a city-wide commemoration of World AIDS Day. The Bronx Knows, as the initiative is called, now has more than 50 partners in the community and is well on its way to reaching the nearly 250,000 Bronx adults who have never had an HIV test. The preliminary results are based on a comparison of HIV tests provided at a sample of partner sites in 2007 and during this year’s campaign.

Message For World AIDS Day

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:03:32 -0600

This year, which marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day, also marks a major milestone in the long struggle against this disease. Well over 3 million people in low- and middle-income countries are now receiving life-prolonging antiretroviral therapy. Such an achievement was unthinkable 20 years ago, when the world was just beginning to comprehend the significance of this disease and its catastrophic impact on individuals, families, and societies.

Governments Should Sustain Support For HIV/AIDS

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:02:56 -0600

On the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1, advocates worldwide discussed numerous challenges facing HIV prevention efforts and called on governments to follow through on pledges to support HIV/AIDS care, prevention and treatment, AFP/Yahoo! News reports.

Examining Health Disparities Based On Sexual Orientation

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:54:27 -0600

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today released a report that shows that the burden of HIV/AIDS remains squarely on the shoulders of gay/bisexual men and other men who have sex with men. The study also highlights that a significant percentage of the newly diagnosed gay or bisexual men were men of color.

Indonesia's Bill To Implant Microchips In Some HIV-Positive People

ruzik_tuzik — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:47:34 -0600

Indonesia's National AIDS Commission last week said a provision that would require some people living with HIV/AIDS to be implanted with microchips in the province of Papua is unworkable and a violation of human rights, Reuters India reports. "We reject this bylaw because it is against human rights and technically cannot be done," Nafsiah Mboi, secretary of the commission, said, adding, "How can someone know if a person is having sex or jumping and dancing?" (Reuters India, 11/27).