HIV And AIDS News

Are You The Difference?

2009-06-12T11:19:00.000-07:00

Sacramento’s largest HIV/AIDS nonprofit is rallying the region to take on a challenge that no city in America has ever attempted. CARES, the Center for AIDS Research, Education and Services, has partnered with community leaders, churches, politicians and hospitals to develop a five year campaign that will strive to eradicate all new cases of HIV in the region. The organization debuted the prevention and outreach strategies during their 20th Anniversary Gala on Thursday, June 4.

The campaign is called “Are you the difference?” and uses ambitious HIV/AIDS prevention and outreach strategies focusing on five key areas: getting people to know their HIV status; reducing new infections; ensuring sustainability of services; building a compassionate community; and improving health outcomes for people with HIV/AIDS.
Please visit HERE for more details.

Massachusetts Senate Passes Amendment To Restore AIDS Funding

2009-05-25T20:51:00.000-07:00

The state Senate on May 19 passed a budget amendment to restore some funding to the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) AIDS budget that had been cut in the Senate Ways and Means Committee’s original proposal for Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10). State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz (D-Boston) filed the amendment, which brings the state’s AIDS budget up to $35.3 million. Ways and Means had originally funded DPH’s AIDS budget at $34.4 million. Read full Story here.

U of M discovery offers potential breakthrough in preventing HIV transmission

2009-03-05T14:06:00.000-08:00

Public health officials have not had much success in preventing the spread of HIV around the world, but research at the U of M could change that. There are between two and three million new cases of HIV reported each year. Most of the infections are in sub-Saharan Africa where women represent close to 60 percent of the cases. Full Story Here!

The Life Ball HIV / AIDS Charity Event

2009-02-17T10:27:00.000-08:00

The Life Ball is organized by AIDS LIFE, an independent non-profit organization, created with the objective to raise money to support people in areas of the world most affected by HIV and AIDS. In 2008, a record result of 1.4 million US-Dollars was raised. In 2007 an additional 1 million US-Dollars was generated at the Dinner Gala with Bill Clinton the night before Life Ball 2007. Half of the raised funds go to national relief projects and half go to international organizations in support of HIV/AIDS treatment, research and prevention.

For further info on attending the life ball please contact www.SteeleTravel.com

New Increase In HIV Infections In Uganda

2008-12-18T06:35:00.000-08:00

Nearly two decades after Uganda managed, with meagre resources, to drastically reduce its HIV prevalence, the rate of new infections is rising again, despite significant amounts being spent on prevention.

An update on the global epidemic, published by UNAIDS in July 2008, pointed to signs in Uganda of "a possible resurgence in sexual risk-taking that could cause the epidemic to grow again." Full Story Here...

Today Is The 20th Anniversary of World AIDS Day

2008-11-29T18:26:00.000-08:00

World AIDS Day is observed every year on December 1st.The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. World AIDS Day provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS epidemic.

Here's a few facts about HIV/AIDS.

In 2007 the estimated number of persons living with HIV worldwide was 33.2 million and there were 2.7 million people newly infected.

The first antibody HIV test becomes available in 1985.

In 1987 the "Global Programme On AIDS" is launched by The World Health Organization.

So today lets remember those friends and family members we have lost to this global killer. And, take time to thank all those who give their time and money to help beat this deadly virus. If theres a little extra money in the christmas fund this year, maybe you can see it in your heart to give a donation to a local HIV/AIDS charity this year.

25,000 Americans Don't Know They're HIV Positive

2008-11-20T20:46:00.000-08:00

Nearly 60,000 people in the United States were infected with HIV and some 25,000 are unaware of their infection, a forum on HIV research said Thursday.

Major barriers still stand in the way of making testing for the human immunodeficiency virus the norm, despite the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's recommendation of routine HIV testing of people age 13 to 64.

The Forum for Collaborative HIV Research is holding a two-day National Summit on HIV Diagnosis, Prevention and Access to Care in Washington. Full Story Here...

HIV Vaccine Fails

2008-11-17T12:25:00.000-08:00

A clinical trial testing the effectiveness of what was believed to be a promising new HIV vaccine has resulted in failure.

The vaccine, made by the pharmaceutical company Merck, offered no protection against infection by the Aids virus.

The Step Study showed that the vaccine did not prevent infection in those not previously infected with HIV, nor did the vaccine reduce the amount of virus in those study participants who became infected with HIV through exposure from an
infected person while in the trial. Full story Here

Advocates Want Funding Restored For Community AIDS Programs

2008-10-12T12:30:00.000-07:00

A coalition of AIDS advocacy groups are calling on Canada's next federal government to restore funding they say the Conservatives diverted from support programs for people living with AIDS and HIV.

In 2004-2005, an all-party agreement promised to increase federal AIDS funding from $42.2 million to $84.4 million a year by 2009. The funding was to go toward research, community support for those living with HIV and AIDS and programs for people most at risk for HIV infection. Full Story Here

U.N. Head Fears Financial Crisis Will Affect AIDS Fight

2008-09-18T07:30:00.000-07:00

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon expressed deep concern Tuesday that the U.S. financial crisis will have a serious global impact, especially on rich donor nations that play key roles in fighting poverty.

He urged a resumption of stalled world trade talks, which the U.N. sees as crucial to opening world markets to poorer developing countries. Full Story here...

Dr. Jeong-Nam Kim And Purdue University Health Communications Study

2008-08-13T08:28:00.000-07:00

Dr. Jeong-Nam Kim is doing a health communications study at Purdue University. Specifically, their research explores how information sharing behavior, through
online communities (such as blogs) influences coping strategies among people
with chronic conditions including cancer, diabetes, AIDS, etc. It's a very short survey. I personally took it, it's a very short survey and only take a few minutes of your time. Please click HERE to take it.

We Need A Domestic War On AIDS

2008-08-07T11:04:00.000-07:00

Rep. Barbara Lee, D-Oakland, is the only member of Congress attending the 17th Annual International AIDS Conference, now in progress in Mexico City.

Lee coauthored the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) back in 2003, as well as the recent reauthorization which puts $48 billion toward helping millions of people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS around the world. She told me this afternoon she wishes progress in fighting the disease here in the United States would be so successful. Full Stroy HERE.

Roche To Stop Antiretroviral Research, Company Says

2008-07-16T13:41:00.000-07:00

Pharmaceutical company Roche in a memo circulated last week announced that it will stop research on antiretroviral drugs because of "disappointing results in clinical trials," the Financial Times reports. According to the memo, which was sent to HIV/AIDS specialists and advocates, Roche has canceled its program to research compounds that were targeting two different ways to attack HIV. The company stressed that it will continue to manufacture its current antiretrovirals -- Fuzeon, Viracept and Invirase -- as well as its HIV diagnostic test and other treatments related to the disease.

The First Annual 30 Days To 500 Fund Raiser

2008-06-08T12:29:00.001-07:00

I decided to try and give a fundraiser for two HIV organizations that have helped me in my life. The two organizations that will benefit from the fundraiser are, The Greater Community AIDS Project (GCAP), and The Center For AIDS Research, Education, And Services (C.A.R.E.S.) of Sacramento.

So anyways I am hoping with the kindness of my readers we can hit $500.00 to go to these 2 organizations. 100% of all donations will go directly to them. $250 each organization.

We need the support of our readers - you are our community. However, please put your health and family first - pay the rent, buy your medications and groceries, get your kids their clothes for school. But, if there is a little left over, these 2 great organizations can really use your help. Below is a donation button, as well as on the side of the page. Full finacial disclosures are available upon request. Please contact the webmaster for them. Thank you again. The Race is on 30 days lets go!!!

National HIV Testing Day 2008 Webinar for Bloggers

2008-06-08T11:42:00.000-07:00

National HIV Testing Day --June 27th--is approaching, and the Webinar's goals are to heighten awareness and understanding of HIV testing, and encourage bloggers to share this information with their readers. The Webinar is designed for bloggers who blog about health related topics and/or those who reach communities infected, affected, or at highest-risk for HIV.

I have been invited to participate in the webinar. It will focus on these follwing questions:

1. Why should we care about HIV testing?
2. Who should get tested for HIV?
3. What happens when someone goes to get an HIV test?
4. What are some of the reasons people dont get tested for HIV?
5. What are messages about HIV testing we can share with our blog readers?

If any readers want to leave comments or questions to be addressed at the webinar please leave a comment. The presenters will be Dr. Bernie Branson, CDC national HIV testing expert, Dr. Celia Maxwell from Howard University.

After the live event, a podcast and transcript of the Webinar will be available on AIDS.gov

The Seventh Annual AIDS Lifecycle

2008-06-08T11:34:00.000-07:00

As part of the seventh annual AIDS Lifecycle, a seven-day bicycle ride from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise funds for and awareness of HIV and AIDS, 2,500 bicyclists and 500 volunteer roadies will spend Friday night at a Ventura beach.

All funds generated by the cyclists will go to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation and L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center.

New HIV Prevention Project

2008-05-27T17:24:00.001-07:00

This June 11th, a new dramatic video series will launch that has been
proven to be effective in reducing high-risk sexual behavior.

“HIV is Still a Big Deal” follows Josh, a young gay man living in
Manhattan, as he deals with everything from love to unsafe sex. When
a sample of 500 men was surveyed three months after viewing the first
episode, researchers found that men were three times more likely to
disclose their status to potential partners and about 1.5 times more
likely to get tested for HIV. Watch it Here.

NIH Program To Study New, Rare and Unidentified Diseases

2008-05-20T14:47:00.000-07:00

They're the cold cases of medicine, patients with diseases so rare and mysterious that they've eluded diagnosis for years.

The National Institutes of Health is seeking those patients _ and ones who qualify could get some free care at the government's top research hospital as scientists study why they're sick.

“What Abbott Was Trying To Hide - Court Unseals Norvir Documents

2008-05-09T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Prescription Access Litigation (PAL) Project works to make prescription drug prices more affordable for consumers, using class action litigation and public education. PAL and its members seek to challenge illegal pricing tactics and deceptive marketing by drug companies, Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and other pharmaceutical industry players.

Prescription Access Litigation coalition member SEIU Health and Welfare Fund filed a national class action lawsuit against Abbott. The lawsuit claimed that Abbott violated federal anti-trust laws, alleging that Abbott raised Norvir’s price in order to boost sales of Kaletra, at the expense of competing PI drugs that require Norvir as a booster. In a nutshell, the lawsuit argued that Abbott tried to “leverage” its patent-protected monopoly over Norvir into a monopoly over the market for protease inhibitors. Full Story Here.

The Pulitzer Center And Kwame Dawes ' Living and Loving with HIV in Jamaica'

2008-05-06T13:57:00.000-07:00

The Pulitzer Center is an organization with the mission to promote in-depth coverage of international affairs, focusing on topics that have been under-reported, mis-reported - or not reported at all. They are featuring a multimedia project by Kwame Dawes, Titled “Hope: Living and Loving with HIV in Jamaica". Hats off to Kwame and The Pulitzer Center. You can find the multimedia project HERE.

Global Fund Considers Loans To Help Fight HIV

2008-05-06T11:29:00.000-07:00

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria may loan cash to developing countries when they grow too wealthy to qualify for grants, the fund's director, Michel Kazatchkine, said on Sunday.

HIV Infections Down 20% Since 2001 In Infants

2008-04-08T13:54:00.002-07:00

The number of babies born with the virus that causes AIDS or infected by breast milk decreased by 20 percent in six years, according to a United Nations report that credited treatment programs.

New infections dropped to 490,000 in 2007 from about 540,000, the World Health Organization and U.N. Children's Fund said. AIDS deaths among children younger than 15 declined to 290,000 from just more than 300,000, the agencies said.

FDA Approval of VITROS Anti-HIV 1+2 Diagnostic Immunoassay

2008-03-28T11:51:00.000-07:00

On March 27, 2008, FDA approved a new HIV diagnostic test, the VITROS Anti-HIV 1+2 Reagent Pack and VITROS Anti-HIV 1+2 Calibrator, manufactured by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics. The VITROS Anti-HIV 1+2 Reagent Pack and VITROS Anti-HIV 1+2 Calibrator is an in vitro chemiluminescent immunoassay intended for the in vitro qualitative detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 in human serum and plasma using the VITROS ECi/ECiQ Immunodiagnostic System.

The results of the VITROS Anti-HIV 1+2 assay, in conjunction with other serological evidence and clinical information may be used as an aid in the diagnosis of infection with HIV-1 and/or HIV-2 in persons with signs or symptoms of, or at risk for, HIV infection.

U.N. Report: AIDS Cases Could jump In Asia By 2020

2008-03-26T13:32:00.000-07:00

Reuters is reporting the number of people in Asia infected with HIV could jump by almost 8 million by 2020 unless more is done to combat the spread of the virus that causes AIDS, a report presented to the U.N. secretary-general said on Wednesday.

That increase could be kept to 3 million if a response program is adopted immediately, according to the report from The Commission on AIDS in Asia.

HIV Spreading In Mini-Epidemics

2008-03-19T11:05:00.000-07:00

HIV is spreading among gay men in mini-epidemics, a study published today found.

Data from more than 2,000 infected men in London showed distinct clusters or "bursts" of the disease.

Researchers now believe targeted local campaigns in bars, nightclubs and via the internet could be the most effective way of curbing the spread of the disease by sexual contact. Full Story Here...