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Positively Positive - Living with HIV/AIDS:
HIV/AIDS News Archive - July 2009
IAS APPLAUDS SOUTH AFRICAN GOVERNMENT FOR COMMITMENT TO DRAMATICALLY SCALE UP HIV TREATMENT AND URGES ALL COUNTRIES TO MEET THEIR HIV/AIDS COMMITMENTS
31 July 2009 (Cape Town, South Africa)- The International AIDS Society (IAS) today applauded the South African government for moving quickly to consider a more aggressive approach to scaling up provision of antiretroviral
therapy (ART) for people living with HIV across the country, in the wake of strong evidence of individual and community benefits of earlier treatment presented at the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention, held two weeks ago in Cape Town.
The South African Health Council is reviewing its ART roll-out plans over the coming weeks.
AIDS patients face higher risk of HPV-related cancers as immunosuppression grows
31-Jul-2009 - Risk of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated cancers is greater for people living with AIDS and increases with increasing immunosuppression, according to a new
study published online July 31 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.
Americans Spent $33.9 Billion Out-of-Pocket on Complementary and Alternative Medicine
July 30, 2009 - Americans spent $33.9 billion out-of-pocket on complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) over the previous 12 months, according to a 2007 government survey[1]
BULLETIN:
Study Suggests Immune Systems of Untreated HIV-Infected Individuals May Deteriorate Faster than Previously Thought
July 29, 2009 - The immune systems of untreated HIV-infected individuals appear to deteriorate faster than previously thought, according to preliminary results of a small clinical trial. This finding
suggests that clinicians may need to monitor people with recent HIV infection as closely as they monitor people with more advanced disease, the study investigators postulate.
UMLAZI: AHF to Launch Popular 'Love Condoms' Campaign Worldwide
Los Angeles, CA - July 29, 2009 - In South Africa, AHF's Ithembalabantu Clinic Will Host a Launch Event on Saturday, August 1st at Mega City, Providing Free HIV Testing, as Part of South Africa's 'Love Condoms' Campaign Kickoff
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest AIDS organization in the US and which currently provides HIV/AIDS medical care and/or services to more than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and
the Asia Pacific Region, is proud to announce the global launch of its popular 'Love Condoms' Campaign "-innovative, local free condom distribution campaigns and stepped-up free HIV testing efforts in several hard-hit countries-with a series of events in numerous countries around the world.
Governor "Terminator" Kills AIDS Program
Los Angeles, CA - July 28, 2009 - In a "Heartless Act" Governor Schwarzenegger Dismantles California's Lifesaving HIV/AIDS Prevention, Testing, Housing and Treatment Services.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US' largest AIDS organization as well as the operator of California's largest alternative HIV testing program, today condemned Governor Schwarzenegger's gutting of California's lifesaving HIV/AIDS programs as he approves a budget plan that includes millions of dollars worth of cuts to the state's HIV/AIDS education, prevention, counseling & testing, housing and treatment services.
United Nations: First Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Organization from the Global South to Gain Consultative Status
(Geneva, July 28, 2009)- The United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) granted consultative status yesterday to the Brazilian Federation of LGBT Groups (Associação Brasileira de Gays, Lésbicas e Transgêneros, ABGLT), the first LGBT organization from the Southern Hemisphere to receive it, a coalition of human rights organizations said.
"This is a victory for the human rights of LGBT people ," said Toni Reis, president of ABGLT, who thanked the Brazilian Government for their support, and the other countries that voted for ABGLT.
The cytoplasmic talk of retroviruses helps them spread from cell to cell
27-Jul-2009 - "Cell-to-cell transmission is a thousand times more efficient, which is why diseases such as AIDS are so successful and so deadly," said Walther Mothes, associate professor of microbial pathogenesis at the Yale School of Medicine. "And because retroviruses spread through the tight cell-cell interface, they are out of reach for the immune system."
Report Shows HIV Prevalence Among Men Who Have Sex With Men
24 July 2009 - A study released today shows that in Chicago,
half of all HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) are unaware of their infection.
Troubling trends in American women with HIV
Research in the United States suggests that the gains from HAART are not evenly distributed across all HIV positive people.
Scientists in that country have found that HIV positive women continue to see relatively high rates of illness and death.
Read more...
British Columbia Centre for Excellence In HIV/AIDS: Genetic Test Predicts Response to Maraviroc in Treatment-Experienced HIV Patients
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -(Marketwire - July 22, 2009) - A genetic approach to determining HIV tropism can be
used to effectively identify patients who will respond to treatment with the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc, according to new data presented today at the
5th International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention in Cape Town, South Africa.
Vaccine Blocks Malaria Transmission in Lab Experiments
July 22, 2009 - Researchers at the Johns Hopkins Malaria Research Institute have for the first time produced a malarial protein (Pfs48/45)
in the proper conformation and quantity to generate a significant immune response in mice and non-human primates for use in a potential transmission-blocking vaccine. Antibodies induced by Pfs48/45 protein
vaccine effectively blocked the sexual development of the malaria-causing parasite, Plasmodium, as it grows within the mosquito. Sexual development is a critical step in the parasite's life cycle and necessary
for continued transmission of malaria from mosquitoes to humans. The study is published in the July 22 edition of the journal PLoS ONE.
ROME TO HOST WORLD'S LARGEST OPEN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE ON HIV/AIDS
22 July 2009, Cape Town, South Africa - The International AIDS Society (IAS) today announced the selection of Rome, Italy as host
of the world's largest open scientific conference on HIV/AIDS - the 6th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2011) - to be held from 17 - 20 July 2011
at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. The event will be organized by the IAS, in partnership with Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italian National Institute of Health), which is the
leading technical and scientific body of the Italian National Health Service.
EVIDENCE FROM NEW OPERATIONS RESEARCH GUIDES HIV PROGRAMME SCALE-UP IN RESOURCE-LIMITED SETTINGS
(22 July 2009 - Cape Town, South Africa) - Health Systems Strengthening and Overlapping TB/HIV Epidemics
Among Major Issues Addressed
Studies presented in the new operations research track at the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention this week offered new evidence of how
to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of HIV prevention and treatment scale-up, while demonstrating that HIV programmes are strengthening health systems in low-income countries.
AFRICA STANDS AT A THRESHOLD IN HIV RESPONSE
(21 July 2009 - Cape Town, South Africa) - Focus on the Epicenter of the HIV Epidemic in South Africa Highlights Both Significant Increases in Access to Treatment and the Millions Still in Need
Examinations of extremely drug resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) and immune control of HIV in South Africa's KwaZulu-Natal Province highlighted the strategic location of the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2009)
in the world's most HIV-impacted country.
IAS 2009 Opening Session webcast available online
Jul 20, 2009 - The Opening Session webcast of the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2009) in Cape Town, South Africa, is now available.
BENEFIT OF HIV TREATMENT AS PREVENTION UNDERSCORES NEED TO AVERT TREATMENT DISRUPTIONS AND EXPAND ACCESS TO REACH UNIVERSAL TARGETS
(20 July 2009 - Cape Town, South Africa) - Strategies for Reducing Maternal Transmission, and Two Potential New Avenues of HIV Treatment Also Highlighted in Conference Plenary
Researchers speaking in the first plenary session of the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2009) offered insights into current and future HIV prevention research and
examined genetics and HIV-related inflammation as avenues for new treatments. The presentations, which also included data on the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for prevention and an update on strategies to
reduce maternal transmission of HIV, reflect the breadth of expertise among the more than 5,000 researchers, clinicians and community leaders attending the conference, which runs from 19-22 July in Cape Town.
SCIENTISTS WARN AGAINST RETRENCHMENT ON AIDS
19 July 2009 - Cape Town, South Africa) - As 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention Opens, Leaders
Urge Continued Momentum Towards Universal Access in Africa and Globally
Amidst a lingering global recession and indications that world leaders are retreating on previous commitments to universal access to HIV prevention and treatment, the more than 5,000 AIDS researchers,
implementers and community leaders gathered in Cape Town for the 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention (IAS 2009) warned of dire public health consequences resulting from a retrenchment on the global fight against AIDS. This warning came at the opening of IAS 2009, a biennial scientific meeting organized by the International AIDS Society (IAS) in partnership with Dira Sengwe.
New Delhi: AHF India Cares Launches 'LOVE Condom' Campaign
New Delhi, India - July 17, 2009 - Campaign Kicks Off with Event Today- Includes Free Condom Distribution,Unveiling of Innovative 'Stay Negative' Ad
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is launching its 'LOVE Condom' campaign with an event today in the New Delhi region on the 18th of July, 2009. The campaign includes the distribution of free AHF 'LOVE'-brand condoms, as well as a 'Stay Negative' public service advertising campaign.
First Drug Use and HIV Research Fellowships awarded at 5th IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment & Prevention
15/07/2009 - The International AIDS Society (IAS) and the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) announced the recipients
of their prestigious joint fellowships today in Cape Town, South Africa. The fellowships were awarded to Professor Maria Gudelia Rangel of Mexico and Kenya's Dr Michah Ongeri Oyaro.
Brazil proves developing countries can use generic medicines to fight HIV/AIDS epidemic
July 14, 2009 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] - Brazil's nearly two-decade effort to
treat people living with HIV and AIDS shows that developing countries can
successfully combat the epidemic. Inexpensive generic medicines are a large part of the solution,
say researchers from Brown University and the Harvard School of Public Health.
Flowers Heritage Foundation Donates 500,000 Condoms to Non-Profit Organizations
Oakland, Calif., July 13, 2009 - The Flowers Heritage Foundation recently donated half a million condoms to non-profit organizations in San Francisco, Miami, Washington D.C,
and Puerto Rico. The initiative is part of a larger project that aims to give away 1 million condoms
each year to help communities that are vulnerable to the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Condoms associated with moderate protection against herpes simplex virus 2
July 13, 2009 - CHICAGO - Condom use is associated with a reduced risk of contracting herpes simplex virus 2,
according to a report based on pooled analysis of data from previous studies in the July 13 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Promotion of Male Circumcision at IAS 2009 Conference Is a Mistake, Says NOCIRC of South Africa
Cape Town, South Africa (PRWEB) July 11, 2009: AIDS Policy Makers Wearing Blinders to the Costs and Harms of Male Circumcision.
The human rights group NOCIRC of South Africa (NOCIRC-SA), represented at the IAS 2009 conference this week, is urging AIDS policy makers to halt male circumcision rollout, calling the plan exorbitant, dangerous and unethical.
Catholics for Choice Statement on "Caritas in Veritate"
7 July 2009 - Washington DC - Jon O'Brien, president of Catholics for Choice, issued the following statement
today about the publication of Pope Benedict's third encyclical, "Caritas in Veritate" ("Charity in Truth"). In the statement, Mr. O'Brien applauds the pope's dedication
to improving development aid but also raises concerns about what is missing.
Congresswoman salutes Jackson
July 7, 2009 - The congresswoman, who has introduced a resolution to honor Jackson as "an accomplished
contributor to the worlds of arts and entertainment, scientific advances in the treatment of HIV/AIDS, and global food security," spoke about how Jackson helped
bring Americans into public service.
Read more and Play Video...
IAS Welcomes Delhi High Court Ruling Decriminalizing Sodomy
7 July 2009 (Geneva, Switzerland) - The International AIDS Society (IAS) today welcomed Thursday's decision by Delhi's High Court to decriminalize homosexuality as a victory
for human rights and HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. The IAS urged India's Government to take affirmative steps to promote and protect the rights of all criminalized communities at risk for HIV in India,
including men who have sex with men (MSM), people who use drugs, and sex workers.
HIV-1 damages gut antibody-producing immune cells within days of infection
6-Jul-2009 - DURHAM, N.C. - The virus that causes AIDS is classified as a lentivirus, a word derived from the Latin prefix, "lenti-," meaning "slow." But new research from the
NIAID-funded Center for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Immunology suggests that HIV-1 is anything but - moving at breathtaking speed in destroying and dysregulating the body's gut-based B-cell antibody-producing system.
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