MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'hiv prevention'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 02:17:50 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4992925&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F07%2F01%2Fthe-ma-legislature-has-finalized-a-budget-for-2012-cutting-15m-for-hivaids-services%2F Statement from Rebecca Haag, President & CEO, AIDS Action Committee: “We are deeply disappointed with the Conference Committee budget cutting $1.5 million in the HIV/AIDS line item. This is the third year in a row that the HIV/AIDS line item has been cut by $1.5 million or more. Last year’s cut of $2 million resulted in reduced prevention and screening programs, residential support services, non-medical case management for persons living with HIV/AIDS, and elimination of the regional Service Coordination Collaborative system. “The state’s investment in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention over the last three decades has paid off with a 59 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses over the last 10 years, which will result in savings of more than $1.6 billion in health care costs. Mas... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4992925 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:02:14 +0100 4992925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4960267&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F06%2F22%2Fupdates-from-the-state-house-june-22-2011%2F From health care funding to anti-discrimination laws, public policy plays a key role in the fight against HIV/AIDS. That’s why AIDS Action maintains a strong advocacy presence at the local, state, and federal levels. Our public policy work is especially important on Beacon Hill, where decisions are routinely made that impact the lives of people at risk for and already living with HIV/AIDS here in Massachusetts. We wanted to give you a brief update on some important legislative efforts currently underway: The 2012 State Budget The state legislature is in the final days of coming up with a budget proposal to send to Governor Patrick for fiscal year 2012, which begins on July 1st. Over the last few months, the House and Senate passed their own versions of the budget, and now a small c... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4960267 Wed, 22 Jun 2011 18:35:47 +0100 4960267 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4775550&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F05%2F02%2Faids-action-issues-response-to-63-legislators-who-signed-letter-calling-mariatalkscom-into-question%2F Note: Due to the high volume of visits to MariaTalks.com, the site is occasionally going offline. If you experience delays when trying to view the site, please be patient and try again at a later time.   It’s been nearly two weeks since the Boston Herald ran a cover story calling into question the nature and purpose of MariaTalks.com, a website operated by AIDS Action Committee with funding from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Since then, we’ve hoped that those who visited the site would see what we know to be true, that MariaTalks.com is a great resource for Massachusetts teens, providing comprehensive, medically accurate, and developmentally appropriate information about sexual health in a non-judgmental, easily-accessible format.   That has largely happened.... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4775550 Mon, 02 May 2011 20:15:17 +0100 4775550 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4768196&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F04%2F29%2Fstanding-against-racism-what-you-can-do%2F The Fourth Annual Stand Against Racism takes place today, April 29. The YWCA-sponsored event will see more than 250,000 individuals and organizations take a Stand Against Racism by raising awareness of racism and suggesting ways to eliminate it. AIDS Action Committee is participating in Stand Against Racism today as part of our mission to attack the root causes of HIV/AIDS. The existence of racial and ethnic health care disparities has long been recognized. They were most notably documented in a comprehensive 2002 report from the Institute of Medicine that cites local, state, and federal researchers and commissions, titled Unequal Treatment: Confronting Health Care Disparities. No one should be surprised that these disparities have been persistent in the transmission and treatment of HIV a... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4768196 Fri, 29 Apr 2011 14:57:40 +0100 4768196 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4758934&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F04%2F27%2Fmassachusetts-house-passes-public-health-amendment-adding-25m-to-hivaids-funding%2F Statement by Rebecca Haag, AIDS Action President & CEO BOSTON, April 27, 2011—“The public health amendment passed by the House yesterday is a smart and focused investment in public health. Prevention and wellness programs are critical to long-term savings in health care. Over the last 10 years, the state’s investment in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention has paid off with a 59 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses. This will result in a savings of more than $1.6 billion in health care costs. “Even as the rate of new infections has declined dramatically, the number of people living with HIV and AIDS has increased by 42 percent. Today, there are approximately 18,000 people living in Massachusetts with a diagnosis of HIV. Care is prevention and the House deserves praise for recog... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4758934 Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:56:59 +0100 4758934 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4753920&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F04%2F26%2Feverything-you-wanted-to-know-about-mariatalkscom-but-were-afraid-to-ask%2F Launched in 2008, MariaTalks.com is an online resource that provides comprehensive, medically accurate, and developmentally appropriate information about sexual health in a non-judgmental, easily-accessible format. The site features a narrator, 18-year-old Maria, who provides information in a youth-friendly way, and the site promotes parents as the primary source of information about sex for their children. All of the content on MariaTalks.com has been developed in collaboration with public health and pediatric experts. The goal of the site is to help young people make healthy, informed decisions about sex. Research shows that when comprehensive sexual health information is made available to young people, they will delay sexual activity and make safer choices once they are sexually active.... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4753920 Tue, 26 Apr 2011 17:51:34 +0100 4753920 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742609&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F04%2F22%2Ffunding-the-fight-against-hivaids%2F It’s budget season, and as you’ve probably heard funds for health and prevention programs are on the chopping block nationwide. We’re busy reminding lawmakers that investing now in HIV prevention and care services will save billions in the long run. In Massachusetts alone, it is estimated that without the programs we had in place from 1998-2008 we would have seen an additional 4,085 HIV cases in our state, resulting in over $1.5 billion in health care costs, not to mention the challenges each of these people would have faced managing a life-threatening disease. In Massachusetts Last week, the Ways & Means Committee of the Massachusetts House of Representatives released its budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2012, which begins July 1. The committee recommended $2 million in cuts to ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742609 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 13:43:30 +0100 4742609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4734484&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F04%2F18%2Fdisappointing-results-prompt-early-end-to-fem-prep-study-of-pill-based-prep-in-african-women%2F The recent success of the iPrEx study has raised hopes that pill-based pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) will become an important new tool for preventing HIV transmission.  However, because the iPrEx study included only men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women, many HIV researchers and advocates have been awaiting the results of other studies to see whether pill-based PrEP can also reduce the risk of HIV infection in other groups, including mixed-HIV-status couples, heterosexual women, and injection drug users. The hopes that pill-based PrEP might be a widely applicable prevention tool suffered a major setback on April 18, when Family Health International (FHI) announced its decision to end the FEM-PrEP study due to disappointing early results.  After reviewing the study’s i... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4734484 Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:25:37 +0100 4734484 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4709352&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F04%2F13%2Faids-actions-statement-on-ma-house-budget-cuts%2F Statement by Rebecca Haag, AIDS Action President & CEO on $2 million cut to HIV/AIDS line item in the Massachusetts House budget: “The House budget released today is a short-sighted approach to the state’s investment in public health. Prevention and wellness programs are critical to long-term savings in health care. The state’s investment in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention has paid off with a 59 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses over the last 10 years, which will result in savings of more than $1.5 billion in health care costs. “The fact is that care is prevention. Massachusetts has been successful in reducing new infections because we’ve invested heavily in connecting people with care. The combination of Medicaid and community-based services for people with HIV resul... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4709352 Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:59:36 +0100 4709352 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4626987&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F03%2F23%2Faids-actions-statement-on-the-passing-of-elizabeth-taylor-1932-2011%2F “We at AIDS Action Committee were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Elizabeth Taylor, a tireless advocate in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Taylor once said, ‘It is bad enough that people are dying of AIDS, but no one should die of ignorance.’ She dedicated much of her life to educating the public and politicians about the need for honest and heartfelt action in the fight against HIV/AIDS, starting with her co-founding the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AmFAR) and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Beginning her work in 1984, she was one of the first celebrities to lend her status to HIV/AIDS awareness and fundraising, to which she remained steadfastly committed over the last 27 years. AIDS Action Committee will be forever grateful for the support her foun... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4626987 Wed, 23 Mar 2011 18:49:54 +0100 4626987 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4622471&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F03%2F22%2Fselected-highlights-from-the-2011-retrovirus-conference%2F This article also has an embedded video interview with Duke University researcher Dr. Bryan Cullen who spoke at CROI about miRNA research and its potential application to HIV.   See also: 32. Drug Resistance and Treatment Failure Is HIV Drug Resistance Spreading? Early Warning Signals Say ‘Yes’  (from aidsmap.com).  Surveys conducted by the Netherlands-based PharmAccess Foundation have found evidence of increasing HIV drug resistance in Sub-Saharan African nations.  The survey looked for trends in drug resistance among ‘treatment-naïve’ HIV-infected persons – those who have never been on ARV treatment. When drug-resistant HIV is found in treatment-naive persons, it is a sign that they were originally infected with resistant virus from someone already taking ARVs.  ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4622471 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:20:00 +0100 4622471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4495380&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F02%2F18%2Fnew-research-calls-lube-safety-into-question%2F The aidsmeds.com website has published an excellent article called “Lube Alert,” which summarizes a forthcoming paper in the journal AIDS Research and Human Retroviruses: The new report by Population Council researchers is the most recent of several studies raising questions about the safety of different lubes — in particular, whether their use reduces, raises, or has a neutral effect on the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. Quoting directly from the aidsmeds article: “According to laboratory studies the group conducted…a large number of popular lubes may actually make it easier for HIV to get past the body’s defenses, notably during anal sex without a condom. Even more alarming is the finding that four lubes in particular cause ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4495380 Fri, 18 Feb 2011 20:17:54 +0100 4495380 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4482933&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F02%2F15%2Frebecca-haag-responds-to-the-new-york-times%2F Rebecca Haag, AIDS Action’s President and CEO,  has a letter published in today’s New York Times in response to a February 8th article entitled “An H.I.V. Strategy Invites Addicts In” that examined a reduction in HIV infections through an innovative prevention and treatment program in Vancouver, Canada Rebecca’s letter highlights the success that Massachusetts has seen in reducing new HIV infections by 59% in the years 1998 to 2008 by providing aggressive prevention and behavioral interventions in addition to making sure that those who are living with HIV are connected to care and treatment. (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4482933 Tue, 15 Feb 2011 21:34:15 +0100 4482933 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445974&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F02%2F07%2Ftime-to-bring-hivaids-awareness-to-the-village%2F This blog post was by Larry Day, the Manager of HIV Health Promotion here at AIDS Action Committee. Larry wrote this post in observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is Monday, February 7, 2011. As I sit here in my bedroom writing this post on my laptop, I’m looking for inspiration and direction. In the background, a network news anchor is droning on about world events, then suddenly I hear a few words that strike a chord; “these people are tired of 30 years of the status quo, they are ready, no they are demanding change and their taking charge and creating that change.” Well there it was, my muse was in the midst of the crowds in the ancient city of Cairo. The people rising up and demanding change. Sick and tired of being sick and tired and rising up to do somethin... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445974 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 17:18:42 +0100 4445974 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4438992&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F02%2F05%2Fin-us-blacks-carry-heaviest-hiv-burden%2F This blog post was authored by Monique Tula, VP of the HIV Health & Policy Institute here at AIDS Action Committee. Monique wrote this post in observance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is Monday, February 7, 2011.   Last week the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released an online Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) newsletter. Timed a few days before the Feb. 7th National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD), the issue includes three articles focusing on HIV/AIDS in the Black Community in the U.S. The articles highlight the extreme disparities in the rates of HIV/AIDS  among U.S. Blacks compared to Whites (and to a lesser extent, compared to Latino/as).   Here’s a couple of highlights: In 2006, estimates of new HIV infections (HIV incidence) a... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4438992 Sat, 05 Feb 2011 21:43:24 +0100 4438992 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411675&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F01%2F28%2Fcdc-issues-interim-guidance-for-using-hiv-prevention-pill%2F The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have just released interim guidance on the use of HIV-fighting drugs for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, or PrEP.  The idea behind PrEP is to give uninfected persons HIV medications – also called antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) – to keep them from becoming infected with the virus. CDC issued the new PrEP guidance in the wake of a major international study called iPrEx whose findings were released in November.  The study showed that taking a once-a-day ARV pill – combined with regular HIV testing, condom use, and other proven prevention methods – could safely reduce rates of HIV transmission among the study participants, which included both men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women who have sex with men.  Although person... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411675 Fri, 28 Jan 2011 22:17:00 +0100 4411675 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4405986&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Fstatement-on-governor%25e2%2580%2599s-budget-cuts%2F Statement by Rebecca Haag, AIDS Action President & CEO, on $2M cut to HIV/AIDS line item in Governor’s budget: “The governor’s budget released today reflects what we all know: Times are tough. But this is a short-sighted approach to the state’s investment in public health. Prevention and wellness programs are critical to long-term savings in health care. The state’s investment in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention has paid off with a 50 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses over the last 10 years, which has resulted in millions of dollars saved in health care costs. But if we undercut the infrastructure of programs supporting public health, we will not be able to sustain a model of care that effectively manages chronic diseases like HIV, diabetes, and asthma, all of which a... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4405986 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:22:37 +0100 4405986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4411676&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2011%2F01%2F27%2Fstatement-on-governor%25e2%2580%2599s-budget-cuts%2F Statement by Rebecca Haag, AIDS Action President & CEO, on $2M cut to HIV/AIDS line item in Governor’s budget: “The governor’s budget released today reflects what we all know: Times are tough. But this is a short-sighted approach to the state’s investment in public health. Prevention and wellness programs are critical to long-term savings in health care. The state’s investment in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention has paid off with a 50 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses over the last 10 years, which has resulted in millions of dollars saved in health care costs. But if we undercut the infrastructure of programs supporting public health, we will not be able to sustain a model of care that effectively manages chronic diseases like HIV, diabetes, and asthma, all of which a... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4411676 Thu, 27 Jan 2011 20:09:26 +0100 4411676 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4266140&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F12%2F17%2Frecent-news-coverage-highlights-aids-action-ongoing-fight-against-hivaids%2F AIDS Action Committee is always proud to help spread the message that the fight against HIV/AIDS is far from over — to people at risk and to the public at-large. With a number of exciting prevention and medical breakthrough stories taking place in recent weeks and with World AIDS Day on December 1st, local news media were paying more attention to HIV/AIDS than usual. Here’s a sampling of stories that ran featuring members of the AIDS Action Committee staff and board of directors. Youth On Fire, our drop-in center for homeless and street-involved youth in Harvard Square, is mentioned in a front page story in the Boston Globe about Homeless Youth: Young, alone, and homeless: As numbers rise in state and nation, Boston group seeks to create shelter Youth On Fire’s Mandy Luss... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4266140 Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:55:52 +0100 4266140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197297&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F11%2F24%2Fiprex-study-a-summary-of-the-key-features-findings%2F The news has been buzzing for the last 24 hours with the release of the National Institutes of Health’s results of the iPrEX trial.  Some of you may have participated in the study right here in Boston at Fenway Health.  Others might have seen the ads all over town toting the tag line, “can a pill a day prevent HIV?”.  Well, the results are out and it brings forth a new era in HIV prevention – it does work!!!  But, it is not 100% effective and here are some insights that need to be considered as work continues make it better. The iPrEX trial was a large research study examining whether a pill containing drugs (Truvada) used to treat HIV can also help prevent HIV infection.  This approach is called PrEP or pre-exposure prophylaxis (before exposure).   If you have your HIV test... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197297 Wed, 24 Nov 2010 16:01:20 +0100 4197297 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4197298&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F11%2F23%2Faids-action-committee-encouraged-by-new-pre-exposure-prophylaxis-study%2F BOSTON, November 23, 2010—Results published today from a National Institute of Health clinical trial shows that taking a once-a-day anti-HIV pill  can reduce the risk of HIV infection by 44 percent in gay and bisexual men, transgender women who have sex with men. Half of the participants in the clinical trial were given a daily pill containing two anti-retroviral drugs (ARVs), emtricitabine and tenofovir. Both drugs are already widely available in the ARV combination pill Truvada, which is commonly prescribed in HIV treatment. The other half of the trial participants were given a placebo pill. Participants were tested for HIV monthly, and received risk-reduction counseling, condoms, and management of any sexually-transmitted infections. During the trial period, 64 people in the placebo ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4197298 Tue, 23 Nov 2010 21:56:29 +0100 4197298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4183466&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F11%2F19%2F%25e2%2580%259cour-lives-begin-to-end-the-day-we-become-silent-about-things-that-matter%25e2%2580%259d%2F The following is a guest post from Elizabeth Marie Rivera-Valentine, a staff member at TransCEND, AIDS Action’s HIV prevention and health education program by and for transgender women. The Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) first started after the murder of Rita Hester in 1998 here in Boston. Her death kicked off the “Remembering Our Dead” web project. Since then several more trans community members have been brutally murdered at the hands of ignorance and hate which has resulted in the mobilization of other cities nationally to organize TDORs for their local communities. We are now approaching the 12th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance, taking place this Saturday, November 20th. TDOR is not only for remembering those in our community who have been lost to violen... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4183466 Fri, 19 Nov 2010 21:55:27 +0100 4183466 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4168147&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F11%2F11%2Fsometimes-all-it-takes-is-meeting-one-or-two-people-who-really-care%2F Homelessness greatly increases people’s risk of contracting HIV, especially among youth, who now account for HALF of all new HIV infections each year. To meet the needs of young people most at risk, AIDS Action operates the Youth on Fire Drop-in Center for homeless and street involved youth. Since 2000, Youth on Fire has worked with over 2,500 youth through its Harvard Square location. Youth on Fire engages its members first and foremost by providing life’s necessities — hot meals, showers, laundry. As members grow comfortable, they may also access on-site medical treatment (including HIV and STD screening), mental health counseling, housing search support, and more. During November, which is National Homeless Youth Awareness Month, AIDS Action is recognizing Yout... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4168147 Thu, 11 Nov 2010 18:43:15 +0100 4168147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4086457&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F10%2F20%2Fwhite-house-visits-aids-action%2F It’s not often that people living with HIV/AIDS get to sit down and talk with the White House official responsible for implementing federal policy initiatives that directly impact them. But that’s what happened at the AIDS Action Committee on Oct. 19, when Jeffrey Crowley, Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, participated in a town hall style meeting with about 30 clients of AIDS Action. AIDS Action President and CEO Rebecca Haag introduced Crowley who gave an overview of the Obama Administration’s National Policy on HIV/AIDS, which was released this past July. The plan — the first ever released by the federal government to coordinate federal, state, and local responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic — calls for a 25 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses over the ne... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4086457 Wed, 20 Oct 2010 20:25:27 +0100 4086457 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3999215&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F09%2F24%2Fbeyond-the-headlines-whats-going-on-with-hiv-and-gay-and-bisexual-men%2F The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has released a new report on HIV infection among men who have sex with men (MSM). Based on data from the 2008 National HIV Behavioral Surveillance system, the report shows that 19% of the 8,153 men surveyed are HIV-positive; 44% of these men were unaware of their HIV status when they participated in the study, which included filling out a questionnaire with a trained surveyor and receiving an HIV test. Surveys were conducted in the twenty-one metropolitan areas with the highest HIV/AIDS prevalence nationwide, including Boston.  Before diving into the data, it’s important to note that early media coverage of this report has overstated the reach of its findings. Early stories ran with headlines such as, “One-in-Five Gay Men HIV-Positive”. In fact,... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3999215 Fri, 24 Sep 2010 21:42:05 +0100 3999215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3969145&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F09%2F14%2Fjohanns-amendment-defeated-public-health-fund-safe-for-now%2F The Johanns Amendment to the Small Business Jobs and Credit Act just failed 46-52 in the US Senate. The Amendment would have used the newly created Public Health Fund to offset the cost of repealing an unrelated change in business tax reporting. Put simply, $11 billion dedicated to improving our nation’s preventative health care would have been squandered. AIDS Action Committee asked our Cyber Action activists to let Senator Scott Brown know that they wanted him to vote no on using the Public Health Fund for unrelated purposes. Senator Kerry had previously stated that he opposed the amendment, and did vote no. In the end, Senator Brown voted in favor of the amendment, but our voices were still heard loud and clear. Thank you for taking action. Brave senators beat back this attack ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3969145 Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:46:50 +0100 3969145 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3925053&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F09%2F01%2Fjoin-us-for-lasting-strength-community-forum-on-hiv-and-aging%2F Did you know nearly 40% of people living with HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts are over the age of 50? And that in ten years researchers predict that number to be nearly 60%? We are about to enter an era in which new HIV infections become less common, while caring for HIV positive people during the latter half of their lives becomes a predominant concern. To talk about the challenges of aging with HIV, approaches to meet these challenges, and programs currently available to support HIV positive people over 50, AIDS Action Committee is inviting community members to an event called “Lasting Strength: Community Forum on HIV and Aging”. A panel discussion with audience participation, this event will take place Tuesday, September 14 from 6pm-7:30pm at AIDS Action Committee’s main o... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3925053 Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:00:05 +0100 3925053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3858327&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F08%2F11%2Fan-indepth-look-at-the-18th-international-aids-conference%2F The International AIDS Conference, which occurs every two years, has a broader scope than any other AIDS conference. Most other AIDS conferences and meetings tend to focus on either the hard science/medical aspects of HIV disease or the social aspects of the epidemic. In contrast, the International AIDS Conference encompasses the scientific, medical, social, and personal dimensions of HIV/AIDS. It brings together medical researchers, social scientists, community activists, and persons living with the virus from around the world. It provides a unique opportunity for the various stakeholders to learn more about each other’s accomplishments, goals, and concerns, and to strategize about ways to enhance their communication and work together more effectively toward common goals. This year�... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3858327 Wed, 11 Aug 2010 21:15:11 +0100 3858327 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3798746&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F07%2F28%2Fuse-of-hiv-pill-for-prevention-appears-safe-in-early-tests%2F The recently ended 2010 International AIDS Conference (IAC) in Vienna, Austria, provided some very welcome news on the development of HIV prevention technologies.  AIDS Action’s Ashley Smith has already blogged about an important breakthrough in microbicide research. I also want to draw your attention to the promising – but still early – results of a study involving another prevention approach known as pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP.  The idea behind PrEP is to give uninfected persons HIV medications to keep them from becoming infected with the virus.  At the IAC, researchers reported on a PrEP study involving nearly 400 gay and bisexual men from Boston, Atlanta, and San Francisco.   The study team, which included researchers from Fenway Health, found that once-daily dosing o... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3798746 Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:40:26 +0100 3798746 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3790666&cid=t_106039_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fnew-vaginal-gel-helps-prevent-hiv-infection%2F AIDS researchers have finally developed a vaginal gel that can help protect women against HIV infection, after years of failed clinical trials. The husband-and-wife team, Quarraisha Abdool Karim, PhD, and Salim S. Abdool Karim, MD, PHD, of the Center for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and Columbia University, announced their progress at the start of the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria last week. The gel, which uses an anti-HIV drug called tenofivir, only offers limited protection: It offers about 39% protection, and according to Quarraisha Abdool Karim, it can offer about 54% protection for women who are highly adherent. The gel is meant to be applied 12 hours before having sex and 12 hours after having sex, and isn’t meant to be used mor... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3790666 Mon, 26 Jul 2010 19:21:00 +0100 3790666 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3784451&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F07%2F23%2Fmicrobicide-breakthrough-may-dramatically-improve-hiv-prevention%2F This study was conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa with over 800 women participating. Researchers followed them for 30 months to determine if using the Tenofovir Gel before and after sex, reduced HIV transmission more than using a placebo gel. Tenofovir, the microbicidal agent in the gel has been used effectively as an oral medication to treat individuals infected with HIV. During the study all of the women received counseling, access to condoms, STD testing and treatment, as well as HIV and pregnancy testing.   Many different microbicide products have been tested over the years but none with this type of positive result. Here are a few reasons why these results are exciting: Tenofovir Gel was found to be effective at reducing transmission of HIV by 39%. (In people wh... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3784451 Fri, 23 Jul 2010 20:43:30 +0100 3784451 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3691051&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F06%2F23%2Fhelp-shape-womens-programs-at-aac%2F Click the image below to download a PDF version of the flyer for our upcoming discussion lunch where we’ll talk about the future of women’s programs at AIDS Action. We need the input of women in our communities to ensure we offer the best programs and services possible. Please join us and spread the word! (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3691051 Thu, 24 Jun 2010 01:48:50 +0100 3691051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3687323&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F06%2F22%2Ftake-control-national-hiv-testing-day%2F Knowing your HIV status is critical to your health. If you are HIV+, early treatment can greatly improve your quality of life, and you will be less likely to spread the virus to others. Studies show that when people know they are positive, they are more likely to engage in behaviors that protect others. And when the result of a test is negative, people are also more likely to go forward engaging in behaviors that protect themselves. If you’ve never been tested for HIV or it’s been a while, treat National HIV Testing Day (NHTD) as your opportunity to take control of your status. NHTD is June 27th this year. The annual event, intended to raise awareness and increase access to HIV testing, is coordinated by the National Association of People with AIDS. AIDS Action Committee is... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3687323 Tue, 22 Jun 2010 16:59:10 +0100 3687323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3502807&cid=t_106039_93_f&fid=35707&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FHemodynamics%2F%7E3%2FWdRyLKdumis%2F1996-protease-inhibitors-were-confusing.html For my zine, I wrote this; although my life changed in other ways shortly afterwards, and somehow that also meant that I stopped publishing my zine. Those were in the days before blogs, children; in the days of photocopiers when self-published writers had to go to the Leather Tongue video store and drop off five copies of the zine for the magazine rack, in hopes that there might be only two when they returned a month later.Not long after this I ended up going to work for an HIV vaccine research group, which restored my sense of urgency. It also stalled the question of doctor or account planner (see previous 1996 post); then I learned immunology, did some needle exchange, and with much more excitement and no inertia, I decided to become a doctor.October 14, 1996At my job [at an HIV preventi... hemodynamics blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3502807 Sun, 25 Apr 2010 05:26:00 +0100 3502807 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3490821&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F04%2F21%2Fhiv-race-and-lateness-to-care%2F The following post is written by Leela Strong, Associate Director of Client Services at AIDS Action Committee. April is National Minority Health Month. Right now many of us are feeling optimistic about the possibility of national health care reform, but it is vital that we continue to find new ways to eliminate health disparities in communities of color. Health promotion is about more than just access to health insurance. Black, Latino and Asian Americans with access to the same level of insurance as their white counterparts are still living shorter and sicker lives in Massachusetts and throughout the United States. AIDS Action Committee sees the effect of disproportionally marginalized health among communities of color in the face of the Massachusetts HIV/AIDS epidemic. Only 12% of commo... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3490821 Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:58:32 +0100 3490821 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3483074&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F04%2F19%2Fget-the-411-its-std-awareness-month%2F The following post was written by Katie Boos, MPH, Multimedia and Public Information Programs Manager at AIDS Action Committee. Katie oversees STD 411, Maria Talks, AIDS Action’s Hotlines, and other media-based prevention programs. April is STD awareness month, a time when public health practitioners like me gear up to spread the word about STD prevention, testing, and treatment. Sexually transmitted diseases (STD), or infections (STI) if you are using public health speak, have had a fascinating and disturbing social history, similar and yet different from HIV. And while we know more now about the science of STDs than ever before, discussions about them still contain judgmental and fear-based messages and are often wrapped up in morality wars around the topic of sex. So you can imag... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3483074 Mon, 19 Apr 2010 15:37:38 +0100 3483074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3449090&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F04%2F08%2Ften-common-myths-about-hivaids%2F The information found in this post is based on resources available on the “Myths and Misinformation about HIV and AIDS” web page of AIDS Action Committee’s HIV Health Library. Myth #1: HIV is the same as AIDS. Fact: HIV and AIDS are two different things. HIV is the name of a virus – the human immunodeficiency virus.  The term AIDS is short for acquired immune deficiency syndrome.  An HIV-infected person is said to have an AIDS diagnosis when HIV has weakened their immune system to the extent that they either have, or are at unusually high risk of getting, certain diseases that are uncommon in persons with a healthy immune system. It is important to know that not all HIV-infect people develop AIDS.  Effective HIV treatment can often slow or stop the progression of HIV disease and... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3449090 Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:15:21 +0100 3449090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3441007&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F04%2F05%2Fsan-francisco-to-adopt-early-hiv-treatment-policy%2F This week, the San Francisco Department of Public Health is expected to announce a new policy for early treatment of HIV infection, according to an article in the April 2 New York Times.  Under the policy, San Francisco’s public health doctors will advise persons to begin antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as they are found to be infected with HIV – regardless of their CD4 T-cell count. For the past few years, the US Department of Health and Human Service’s (DHHS) official HIV treatment guidelines have been moving in the direction of starting ART sooner.  However, unlike the San Francisco Department of Public Health, the DHHS guidelines do not yet recommend the treatment of all HIV-infected persons.  As the New York Times article notes, there is a growing body of eviden... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3441007 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 20:32:37 +0100 3441007 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3425082&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F03%2F31%2Faids-action-sponsoring-the-8th-national-harm-reduction-conference-in-austin-tx%2F   The AIDS Action Committee will sponsor the 8th National Harm Reduction Conference, taking place November 18-21, 2010 in Austin, TX. The conference will bring together approximately 2,000 drug users, ex-drug users, researchers, sex workers, social workers, doctors, politicians and community organizers from around the country and abroad to share perspectives on Harm Reduction, a broad set a practices aimed at reducing the negative consequences of drug use and promoting healthy individuals and communities. AIDS Action Committee will likely send staff to participate in the conference as both learners and facilitators.The National Harm Reduction Conference is the only multidisciplinary gathering in the United States focusing on the health of individuals and communities impacted by drug use. ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3425082 Wed, 31 Mar 2010 15:47:52 +0100 3425082 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378682&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F03%2F17%2Fhivaids-isnt-over%2F The following article also appears in Bay Windows, New England’s Largest GLBT Newspaper. First the good news: Last week, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) did something that would have been unthinkable a mere 12 months earlier: it analyzed the rates of new HIV and syphilis infections based on population size, with one of the populations being men who have sex with men. Why would this not have happened a year ago? Because this is the sort of reality-based science and research that rarely made it to public view under the Bush Administration. When you consider the Obama Administration’s national campaign launched last April to refocus national attention on HIV/AIDS; its commitment of resources to LGBT groups to ensure that we are accurately counted in the 2010 U.S. Census; a... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378682 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:19:20 +0100 3378682 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3362539&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F03%2F12%2Faacs-sophie-godley-receives-public-health-award-from-boston-university%2F AIDS Action’s Committee’s Deputy Director of Programs, Sophie Godley, will receive the Gail H. Douglas Award for Excellence in Public Health Practice from the Boston University School of Publich Health (BUSPH) at a ceremony on April 14, 2010. Students, faculty and administration at BUSPH selected Sophie for her years of service and teaching in the fields of public health and HIV/AIDS. In a letter written to Sophie, Anne T. Fidler, Sc.D., Asst. Dean for Public Health Practice at BUSPH, said: “As a School of Public Health dedicated to the education of the next generation of public health practitioners and leaders, we could not do our jobs without the active participation of practitioners like you. You embody the spirit of public health.” Award criteria include a dedic... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3362539 Fri, 12 Mar 2010 19:46:26 +0100 3362539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3354527&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F03%2F10%2Fnew-cdc-numbers-show-high-hiv-and-syphilis-rates-among-gay-and-bisexual-men%2F Statement from AIDS Action Committee of MA, Inc.  For Immediate Release March 10, 2010 Contact: Paul Twitchell, 617-450-1215, ptwitchell@aac.org Keith Orr, 617.777.4134, korr@aac.org The 2010 National STD Prevention Conference, held in Atlanta, Georgia, is releasing new findings on the rates of HIV and syphilis among gay men. While all of us working on HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted disease have long known that gay and bisexual men have been hit hard, this is the first time the US government has attempted to truly quantify the impact.  This is both terrible news and enormously encouraging action. First, we have these data from CDC that confirm our worst fears: gay men are at least 44 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV than other men, and at least 46 times more likely to ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3354527 Wed, 10 Mar 2010 21:34:41 +0100 3354527 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3273059&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2162 LGBT ally Rep Diane Watson will not run for re-election by Karen Ocamb February 11, 2010 Longtime LGBT ally Congressmember Diane E. Watson (D-CA) formally announced Thursday that she is not seeking re-election. She wants Karen Bass, the outgoing Speaker of the California Assembly and another pro-LGBT ally, to replace her representing California’s 33rd Congressional District. Watson’s openly gay legislative deputy Charles Stewart describes below how his boss told her staff she was retiring. But first something about Watson. I first met Diane Watson in the early 1990s at AIDS activist Phill Wilson’s house for a meet and greet with the California State Senator, where she’d been serving since 1978. First thing that struck me was how tall she was – statuesque and elegant and smart. Tu... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3273059 Mon, 15 Feb 2010 15:26:33 +0100 3273059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267133&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2160 new media toolkit one-pagers chers— this is an excellent set of posts on the new media from the AIDS.gov blog. they are intended to give you an overview of just what we’re talking about when we say “new media,” with links to more information and resources as you want and/or need them. plan spending some time with these pages, namaste —rk Resources and Information from the AIDS.gov blog: Accessibility Web accessibility means that people with disabilities can perceive, understand, navigate, interact with, and contribute to the Web. Web accessibility encompasses all disabilities that affect access to the Web, including visual, auditory, physical, speech, cognitive, and neurological disabilities…read full Accessibility One-Pager Download PDF Version ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267133 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 06:17:31 +0100 3267133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267135&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2154 new media toolkit resources Here are some new media resources we’ve come across at AIDS.gov. Please note that this list is just a sample of the many new media resources available on the web. Please leave a comment if you have other suggestions. Click on the topics below to see resources: Blogs Data on New Media Use eCards Mashups New Media Basics Online Games Photo Sharing Services Podcasting RSS Feeds Social Networking Text Messaging Twitter Video Sharing Virtual Worlds Wikis Website Accessibility and 508 Compliance Website Usability Blogs Where can I learn about blogging basics? Common Craft’s video on blogs “in plain English” What are examples of government public health blogs? AIDS.gov Blog Health and Human Service Secretary Mike Leavitt’s Blog CDC’s Health M... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267135 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:16:43 +0100 3267135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267136&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2150 new media toolkit strategy Here are two tools to help you develop your new media strategy: POST Method Worksheet (PDF 49 kb), remixed from Forrester , a quick one-page form to help you get started with your new media planning. New Media Strategy Map (PDF 38 kb), remixed from the WeAreMedia project funded by the Surdna Foundation , a more in-depth tool to help you build your comprehensive new media strategy. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267136 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 05:01:26 +0100 3267136 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3267161&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2010%2F02%2F11%2Fretrospective-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day-conference-at-aids-action%2F National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day was February 7, 2010. The Test 1 Million Boston Coalition organized a weekend conference for the event, “We Are Greater Than AIDS”, which AAC hosted at our offices at 75 Amory Street. It was the first large community event we’ve organized in our new space. We were very excited, and honored that the Coalition wanted to hold their conference here. I had the privilege of playing “official” host for AAC over the weekend. Friday night the Coalition held a dessert reception for participants in our expanded lobby/client waiting area. In addition to the 40+ people who joined us for food and conversation, Boston City Councillors Chuck Turner, Ayanna Pressley, Charles Yancy, Felix Arroyo, Jr., and State Representative Liz Malia at... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3267161 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 17:30:50 +0100 3267161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262837&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2148 Researchers find ‘broad spectrum’ antiviral that fights multitude of viruses By Enrique Rivero February 01, 2010 Compound could be used against HIV-1, Nipah, Ebola and other deadly viruses Viruses are insidious creatures. They differ from each other in many ways, and they can mutate — at times seemingly at will, as with HIV — to resist a host of weapons fired at them. Complicating matters further is that new viruses are constantly emerging. One potential weapon is a small-molecule “broad spectrum” antiviral that will fight a host of viruses by attacking them through some feature common to an entire class of viruses. For example, there are two categories of viruses: lipid-enveloped and non-enveloped. Enveloped viruses are surrounded by a membrane that in effect ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262837 Thu, 11 Feb 2010 01:05:14 +0100 3262837 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3262839&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2141 Zelda Rubinstein Dead at 76 by Neal Broverman Posted on Advocate.com January 27, 2010 Zelda Rubinstein, the Poltergeist actress and HIV activist, died Wednesday at the Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Los Angeles. She was 76. The 4-foot, 3-inch actress had various health problems following a mild heart attack she suffered late last year. Rubinstein will be remembered by gays for being one of the first celebrities to lend her name and face to an HIV/AIDS public awareness campaign aimed at gay men. In a series of billboards and posters that blanketed Los Angeles in the mid ’80s, Rubinstein portrayed “Mother,” a sweet maternal figure who urged her “sons” to play safe. The posters soon spread nationally and then internationally. The actress spoke to Advocate.com rec... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3262839 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 23:47:10 +0100 3262839 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3259184&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.latalkradio.com%2Fimages%2FTerry-013110.mp3 Terry LeGrand’s The Alternative Internet Radio Channel 1Sunday nights 6:00-7:00 http://www.latalkradio.com/ chers— click below to listen or download the audiofile namaste —rk Broadcast date: Sunday, January 31, 2010 Guests Richard Kearns, a poet, journalist, activist, organizer for the LA Grassroots Elder HIV/AIDS Advocacy Summit, and long time AIDS survivor, and Elliott Katz discussed LA Grassroots Elder HIV/AIDS Advocacy Summit along with a special visit from LATalkRadio’s Greg Rempe discussing BBQ. Please click this sentence to Play audio recording of show Please click this sentence to Download audio recording of show Terry Le Grand transfers his show “The Alternative” from KTLK 1170 Los Angeles to LATALK Radio. Terry Le Grand, has been a GAY activist fo... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3259184 Wed, 10 Feb 2010 05:59:28 +0100 3259184 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3243979&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2134 This study examined the relationships between HIV-related stigma and a range of demographic, social, physical and health characteristics. A meta-analysis was conducted to assess the overall strength and direction of these relationships. Twenty-four studies of PLHIV, conducted in North America and published in peer-reviewed journals between January of 2000 and November of 2007, were examined and their findings integrated. The heterogeneity of reported results was also assessed and examined. Our review revealed substantial variability in the ways researchers measure participants’ HIV-related stigma as well as their physical, emotional and mental health. In spite of this variability, high stigma level was consistently and significantly associated with low social support (r = -0.369, p&l... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3243979 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 21:03:46 +0100 3243979 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236038&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2128 Study predicts HIV drug resistance will surge By Enrique Rivero January 22, 2010 chers— there are several useful lilnks at the end of this post. namaste —rk New research based on a novel mathematical model predicts that a wave of drug-resistant HIV strains will emerge in San Francisco within the next five years. These strains could prove disastrous by hindering control of the HIV pandemic. In a study published Jan. 14 on the website of the journal Science, researchers from the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA and the University of California, San Francisco’s HIV AIDS Program at San Francisco General Hospital, developed a complex network model that tracks the transmission of multiple strains of HIV. The model can be used to predict drug resista... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236038 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:28:44 +0100 3236038 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236039&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2124 Los Angeles City Council approves medical marijuana ordinance that will shut down hundreds of dispensaries By John Hoeffel January 26, 2010 In a 9-3 vote, the Los Angeles City Council today gave its final approval to an ordinance that will shut down hundreds of medical marijuana dispensaries and impose strict rules on the location and operation of the dispensaries that are allowed. The measure passed quickly, without debate. The ordinance, which the council first began discussing more than 4 1/2 years ago, will cap the number of dispensaries at 70 but make an exception to allow all those that registered with the city in 2007 and have remained open. City officials believe that number is around 150. Hundreds of dispensaries have opened in Los Angeles as the City Council debated its proposed ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236039 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:01:54 +0100 3236039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3236040&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2121 Medical cannabis advocate and rastafarian minister Ali Rashi offering public comment at a december Los Angeles City Council meeting about safe access and distribution. a great photo by Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Image captures some of the feel of the debate —rk LA City Council members talk about their marijuana use by Frank Stoltze Jan. 26, 2010 The Los Angeles City Council Tuesday [approved] a new ordinance that would shut down most medical marijuana dispensaries in the city. It would place a cap of 70, with up to about 140 pot shops grandfathered in. KPCC surveyed councilmembers about whether they’d ever smoked pot – medical or otherwise. It was 1968, and Councilman Tom LaBonge was a high school kid sweet on a girl. She offered him some pot. “I was 15. It was after school. I w... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3236040 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:36:13 +0100 3236040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159940&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2115 chers— if this works, share my joy of this unhistoric moment of major insignificance, la la la namaste —rk after the jump [december 15, 2009] good morning president garcetti, distinguished council members. i have given the clerk copies of my prepared remarks. my name is richard kearns. i am a 58-year-old gay man living with AIDS in los angeles for more than 20 years, an angelino poet advocate. i am delighted to announce to you this morning that on friday, february 12th, 2010, upstairs in the tom bradley conference center, on the 27th floor, we will hold, the LA city grassroots elder HIV/AIDS advocacy summit & new media training “new tricks for old dogs & their allies” sponsored by councilmember rosendahl & the city AIDS coordinators office HIVers over 50 — el... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159940 Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:49:11 +0100 3159940 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159941&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2108 chers— terry has just migrated to LA TalkRadio (channel 1), and his premiere show tonight features medical cannabis adevocates don duncan, scott imler and richard eastman. i’m not quite sure what next week’s topic will be. but i’ll be there on January 31st, talking about HIV/AIDS & aging and the upcoming summit/training february 12. Listen live @ http://www.latalkradio.com/Terry.php. namasté —rk Jan 10- This week’s topic is Medical Marijuana in Los Angeles. Guests include Don Duncan, from ASA (Americans for Safe Access), Rev. Scott Imler, the first person to open a collective in the LA area, and activist Richard Eastman……..Tune in live and call in your remarks and questions. Call-In telephone number 323-203-0815 Jan 17- “Cut Off Funding to UGA... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159941 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 21:59:20 +0100 3159941 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136689&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2104 text of flyer after jump SAVE THE DATE! LA City Grassroots Elder HIV/AIDS Advocacy SUMMIT & new media TRAINING February 12, 2010 Tom Bradley Center (26th & 27th floors) LA City Hall 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 hosted by - LA 11th district City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl - the City of LA AIDS Coordinator’s Office - richard kearns publisher of http://AIDS-write.org & http://havvacc.wordpress.com [seal of city of los angeles ) FOR MORE INFORMATION: contact rk@aids-write.org or call 310-488-1328 “new tricks for old dogs & their allies” (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136689 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 06:06:09 +0100 3136689 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136690&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2101 Step into the GLM Time Machine by Maeve Maddox january 1, 2010 The Global Language Monitor (GLM) is an Austin, Texas-based entity that documents, analyzes and tracks trends in language and publishes a list of the year’s most used English words, names, and phrases. According to GLM’s algorithm, 2009’s most used word, both online and in print, is Twitter. GLM’s top ten for 2009: Twitter Obama H1N1 stimulus vampire 2.0 (as a suffix attached to the next generation of everything. Ex. Web2.0) deficit Hadron healthcare transparency A look at the Words of the Year for 2000-2008 recalls the prominent events and personalities of those years: 2000 chad 2001 GroundZero 2002 misunderestimate 2003 embedded 2004 incivility 2005 refugee 2006 sustainable 2007 hybrid 2008 change Taking the decad... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136690 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 23:01:35 +0100 3136690 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3136691&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2098 2009 AIDS IN BLACK AMERICA City Sheet Los Angeles, California chers— this is a comprehensive resource list. print out all four pages and stick it on the frig. add phone numbers and email addresses on your contact lists, both phone and internet. use them. local & state stuff. links to officials after the jump. namasté —rk The CitySheet Series This CitySheet is a resource intended to provide Black community stakeholders that want to get involved in stopping the disease with AIDS information and potential partners. These numbers represent real people in your community who are impacted by HIV and AIDS. These organizations represent traditional Black leadership and have an important role to play in ending AIDS in the Black community. In our annual State of AIDS reports, we as... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3136691 Fri, 01 Jan 2010 22:27:21 +0100 3136691 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111640&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2096 Sunnie Rose says: January POZ Weekend Seminar - Jan 23rd and 24th! Reservation Page is now open! The Next POZ Life Seminar is Jan. 23 and 24 in the West Hollywood area. Download the PDF Flyer Registering for the POZ Life Weekend Seminar can be easy! You can either drop us a note at registration@thelifegroupla.org or call us TOLL FREE at (888) 208-8081 and we will contact you, or you can simply follow this link to the registration form. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111640 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:27:21 +0100 3111640 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3111641&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2093 commemorating the first long night that ended when raven stole the sun & moon & stars & put them in the sky (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3111641 Tue, 22 Dec 2009 03:22:56 +0100 3111641 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3097016&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2091 [december 15, 2009] good morning president garcetti, distinguished council members. i have given the clerk copies of my prepared remarks. my name is richard kearns. i am a 58-year-old gay man living with AIDS in los angeles for more than 20 years, an angelino poet advocate. i am delighted to announce to you this morning that on friday, february 12th, 2010, upstairs in the tom bradley conference center, on the 27th floor, we will hold, the LA city grassroots elder HIV/AIDS advocacy summit & new media training “new tricks for old dogs & their allies” sponsored by councilmember rosendahl & the city AIDS coordinators office HIVers over 50 — elder Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) — are predicted to double in community prevalance over the next five years to con... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3097016 Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:34:19 +0100 3097016 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3089493&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2082 Perez chosen Assembly speaker By Jim Sanders jsanders@sacbee.com Thursday, Dec. 10, 2009 Assembly Democrats this afternoon choseAssemblyman John A. Perez as their new speaker, making the first-term Democrat the first openly gay man to hold the post. Members emerged from a closed-door caucus at the historic Stanford Mansion to announce that Democrats had chosen Perez, of Los Angeles, on an unanimous vote. A public vote on the Assembly floor is expected in January. Perez walked arm-in-arm from the caucus meeting with current Assmbly Speaker Karen Bass and Kevin de Leon, a Los Angeles Democrat who had fought fiercely for the job but ultimately bowed out and formally nominated Perez before today’s voice vote. Perez said it was an “incredibly moving experience to have the un... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3089493 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:21:57 +0100 3089493 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084932&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F12%2F14%2Fcongress-ends-20-year-ban-on-syringe-exchange-funding%2F Over the weekend, Congress passed an appropriations bill, including language that will end the 20-year ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs (SEPs). These programs are shown to effectively reduce new HIV infections among intravenous drug users, and to provide avenues to get otherwise hard to reach HIV-positive people into care. The following is a press release from the national advocacy group, AIDS Action Council, whose Executive Director, Rebecca Haag, is also President & CEO of AIDS Action Committee here in MA. For Immediate Release December 13, 2009 Contact: Ronald Johnson, (202) 530-8030 x3096, rjohnson@aidsaction.org  William McColl, (202) 530-8030 x3096, (202) 595-4167, wmccoll@aidsaction.org AIDS Action Applauds Congress for Historic End to Twenty Year Ban on th... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084932 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 15:43:27 +0100 3084932 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3084931&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2079 will be making announcement during public comments at LA city council meeting tuesday, december 15, 2009 text of jpeg after jump SAVE THE DATE! LA City Grassroots Elder HIV/AIDS Advocacy SUMMIT & new media TRAINING February 12, 2010 Tom Bradley Center (26th & 27th floors) LA City Hall 200 N. Spring Street Los Angeles, CA 90012 hosted by - LA 11th district City Councilmember Bill Rosendahl - the City of LA AIDS Coordinator’s Office - richard kearns publisher of http://AIDS-write.org & http://havvacc.wordpress.com [seal of city of los angeles ) FOR MORE INFORMATION: contact rk@aids-write.org or call 310-488-1328 “new tricks for old dogs & their allies” (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3084931 Mon, 14 Dec 2009 04:03:17 +0100 3084931 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079526&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F12%2F10%2Fmedicare-will-now-cover-hiv-tests%2F Medicare, the government-run insurance program that covers some 44 million Americans, will now pay for beneficiaries’ HIV tests. Federal regulators made the announcement Tuesday, December 8. A federal law passed in 2008 gives the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the authority to cover additional preventive services, so long as the coverage has a substantial impact on beneficiaries’ health. Early detection and treatment of HIV is critical to ensuring infected individuals’ wellbeing over time, justifying the Centers’ move. High risk beneficiaries, including pregnant women and gay men, will be covered, as well as any beneficiary who specifically requests the test. Medicare is now primarily accessed by people over the age of 65, but that may change with health care reform. Th... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079526 Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:09:34 +0100 3079526 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3067264&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F12%2F07%2Faacs-public-policy-director-testifies-against-budget-cuts-that-would-hurt-people-living-with-hivaids%2F I recently had the privilege of testifying at the State House on behalf of the Coalition to END HIV. We were joining the Massachusetts Coalition for Addiction Services to ask the Office of Health and Human Services to preserve existing funding for key state initiatives that support people living with HIV/AIDS and others. I wanted to share my testimony with the readers of AIDS Action’s blog. My prepared comments can be read below. Thank you for reading and supporting our efforts, Monique Tula Director of Strategic Planning and Public Policy, AIDS Action Committee EOHHS Public Hearing December 3, 2009 Testimony on FY 2011 Budget HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Mental Health and Addiction Prevention, Treatment and Recovery Services Secretary Bigby and members of the committee, thank you fo... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3067264 Mon, 07 Dec 2009 20:36:56 +0100 3067264 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044972&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F12%2F01%2Fa-message-for-gay-men-on-world-aids-day-december-1st%2F Tuesday December 1st will mark the 21st annual World AIDS Day.  Since its inception, the impetus of the day has always been about raising awareness.  Each year the organizers have adapted a theme. This year I have my own theme to deliver to my fellow gay men here in the greater Boston area:  “Educate Thyself”.  Knowledge is your best tool for remaining safe and HIV free. Education about sexual health and specifically the seriousness of HIV seems to have fallen off the radar screen.  Gay men and specifically younger gay men don’t seem to have a basic understanding of a virus that has no cure and comes with complicated and often unpleasant lifelong treatments. Yet HIV remains the number one health threat to gay men who are 25 times more likely to become HIV+ than our heterosexual ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044972 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:55:02 +0100 3044972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3044967&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2074 [december 1, 2009, world AIDS day] richard kearns, poet advocate. here is my poem for world AIDS day, 2009. (i have given the clerk copies) jeff was dying, i was not a hundred karposi lesions covered his body & made him look like nijinsky in afternoon with a faun, only skinny he was my captain of bright & stormy mornings my saint & my man he was my AIDS hero (more than mine) & i hated he was leaving me i wanted to pour into him all the life left to me — because i could never hope to be good enough to survive this plague by myself, let alone for anyone else — because i was cannon fodder — because we needed him i told him so one day he laughed & then — i don’t remember how — he scooped up my tanned gym-hard bod in his pale & thin ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3044967 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:42:18 +0100 3044967 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3037062&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2071 [november 24, 2009] good morning president pro tem perry, distinguished council members. i have given the clerk copies of my prepared remarks. my name is richard kearns. i am a 58-year- old gay man living with AIDS in los angeles for more than 20 years — a long-term survivor & AIDS activist, a medical cannabis patient & advocate, a poet & journalist. an angelino. my intent in addressing you this morning is to comment on the character of the meetings i missed last week: monday’s joint PLUM & public safety committee meeting & the city council meeting that followed it wednesday. i was too sick to make it downtown last week — i wish medical cannabis cured everything, but it doesn’t. however, i did listen & watch on the internet (thank you for making tha... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3037062 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:23:47 +0100 3037062 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3037063&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2062 LA City Attorney wrong about AG by Don Duncan November 25, 2009 The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office misrepresented the position of California Attorney General Jerry Brown today, implying that the state’s top law enforcement official said that all sales of cannabis are illegal. That never happened. On Saturday, KFI Radio in Los Angeles broadcast a previously recorded statement by the Attorney General Brown in which he says, “Unfortunately, in some communities, Los Angeles in particular, there’s a lot of exploitation and just getting into the drug business, the dope business.” Pundits at the notoriously conservative radio station (home to Rush Limbaugh and anti-gay crusader “Dr. Laura” Schlesinger) then added their own spin to the Attorney General’s comments. The reporte... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3037063 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 03:43:04 +0100 3037063 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3037064&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2058 Global Fund Approves $2.4 Billion For Global HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Programs By Nora Proops Nov 21, 2009 On November 12, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria approved grants worth $2.4 billion to support treatment of these diseases worldwide. Although it is the second largest amount ever approved by the Global Fund, the number of accepted grants fell by 35 percent from the year before. The Global Fund is an organization that attracts aid from wealthy governments and the private sector for distribution among poor countries to prevent and treat people with HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. These diseases account for 12.5 percent of deaths in low-income nations, according to 2004 World Health Organization estimates. Since its inception in 2002, the Global ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3037064 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:36:32 +0100 3037064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3037065&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2055 Discussion Top We suggest four factors that could explain the diminishing proportion of HIV/AIDS borne by the populations moving through CFs; these four factors could contribute either alone or in combination. First, with increased life expectancy for persons with HIV with the advent of better therapeutics, infected persons are aging out of the crime-prone years, generally considered to be between the ages of 15 and 24. Second, while a person may have been infected in his or her crime-prone years, with HAART, prison AIDS mortality has fallen [20], and that person is more likely to survive incarceration, be released, and stay out. Third, the past decade has seen a decline in the number and proportion of HIV/AIDS cases among injection drug users [21], [22], probably due to interventions ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3037065 Sat, 28 Nov 2009 21:48:32 +0100 3037065 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3017195&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2052 Amending motions to LA medical marijuana ordinance posted online by brett stone mmjnews november 19, 2009 All of the amending motions to the 5th draft ordinance regulating medical marijuana collectives in Los Angeles that were presented in city council on Wednesday are posted online at - http://cityclerk.lacity.org/lacityclerkconnect/index.cfm?fa=ccfi.viewrec\ ord&cfnumber=08-0923 Also the agenda for next Tuesday’s city council meeting has been released, the medical marijuana ordinance is item #10. See - http://ens.lacity.org/clk/councilagendas/clkcouncilagendas363681_1124200\ 9.pdf Peace brett (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3017195 Sat, 21 Nov 2009 19:43:35 +0100 3017195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004044&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F11%2F18%2Fmapping-hiv-infections-by-neighborhood%2F The New York Times recently published an interesting article focusing on a research effort in San Francisco which has mapped by city neighborhood, the average viral load of people with known HIV infection. The idea is to show not where the most HIV infections are, but instead to identify the areas where HIV infection is not being adequately treated. Studies like this - looking at community viral load - could have important implications for targeting resources for treatment and prevention. Providing appropriate treatment — and the support services people need to get the most from their care — would be expected to: 1) Improve the health of HIV positive people not yet in care or receiving substandard care 2) Lower community viral load and, in the process, substantially reduce the ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004044 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:24:49 +0100 3004044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004039&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2049 D.A. chides L.A. council, says he’ll target pot dispensaries Steve Cooley insists sites that sell marijuana are violating state law and will be prosecuted. Of the City Council’s effort to pass an ordinance, he says: ‘Quite frankly we’re ignoring them.’ By John Hoeffel November 18, 2009 With the Los Angeles City Council poised to take up a medical marijuana ordinance after two years of contentious debate, L.A. County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley warned Tuesday that he intends to prosecute dispensaries that sell the drug even if the city’s leaders decide to allow those transactions. “The L.A. City Council should be collectively ashamed of their failure to grasp this issue,” Cooley said, arguing that state laws do not allow medical marijuana to be ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004039 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 08:46:19 +0100 3004039 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004040&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2047 D.A. will prosecute medical marijuana dispensaries — even if L.A. does not ban sales [Updated] “It makes no sense to play political football with people’s lives.” says councilmember Reyes in update below [after jump], by John Hoeffel November 17, 2009 Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley said today he will prosecute dispensaries that sell medical marijuana even if the Los Angeles City Council adopts an ordinance that does not ban such sales. On Monday, two council committees rejected the city attorney’s advice and changed a provision in the proposed ordinance, allowing cash transactions as long as they complied with state law. “Undermining those laws via their ordinance powers is counterproductive, and, quite frankly, we’re ignoring them. They are absolutely so irrelevant it’s not... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004040 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:33:43 +0100 3004040 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004041&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2045 In rebuff to city attorney, council committees support pot dispensaries Rejecting advice that Los Angeles must ban sales, lawmakers endorse patients’ cash contributions to outlets, which cannot make a profit. By John Hoeffel November 16, 2009 Two Los Angeles City Council committees rejected the advice of the city attorney and voted Monday to approve an ordinance that allows marijuana dispensaries to continue to sell the drug to people with a doctor’s recommendation. The city attorney’s office has maintained for a year and a half that Los Angeles has no choice but to ban sales because state law and court decisions are clear that collectives can only cultivate marijuana. That opinion had stalled the council’s deliberations because dispensary operators insisted it wou... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004041 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:11:28 +0100 3004041 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004042&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2043 West Hollywood’s medical marijuana success story The small city enforces a strict ordinance and eliminates the drama that plagues L.A. By John Hoeffel November 16, 2009 A few miles from Los Angeles City Hall, a small experiment in marijuana regulation has been underway for years. While the state’s largest city passed a flawed moratorium, failed to enforce it, debated proposed rules endlessly and watched flummoxed as dispensaries multiplied, West Hollywood pressed ahead. Confronted with its own dispensary explosion in 2005, the city surrounded by L.A. imposed a moratorium on dispensaries, clamped interim rules on the ones that were open, passed a strict ordinance and capped the number allowed at four, all within two years. When the West Hollywood City Council updated its ordina... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004042 Wed, 18 Nov 2009 06:54:25 +0100 3004042 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3004043&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2041 boxer We are honored to have Senator Barbara Boxer share with Courage Campaign members her commitment to strip the horrific Stupak Amendment from any healthcare reform bill and pass true health care reform. Her message is powerful. We need to show her — and the nation — that thousands and thousands of us stand with her by signing the petition. –Rick Jacobs, Chair, Courage Campaign Dear Friend, Ten days ago, the House passed the Stupak Amendment, which would be one of the biggest setbacks to women’s health in recent decades - unless we stand together and stop it. That’s why we are launching a petition at FightForWomensHealth.com, because women must not be denied access to safe and legal medical procedures. Will you join us? Click here to stand with us t... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3004043 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:49:37 +0100 3004043 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2999759&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2034 L.A. City Council panels reject ban on medical marijuana sales John Hoeffel at City Hall November 16, 2009 Rejecting the advice of the city attorney, two Los Angeles City Council committees voted today to scrap a proposed provision that would have banned the sale of medical marijuana. The controversial measure, first proposed a year and a half ago, delayed deliberations as council members debated the wisdom of ignoring the opinion of the city’s top prosecutor. But about four hours into a raucous hearing, council members made it clear they were ready to move on. “When can we finally stop the merry-go-round?” said Councilman Dennis Zine, who kicked off the City Council’s consideration of the issue in 2005 when concerns about dispensaries first surfaced. He proposed a... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2999759 Tue, 17 Nov 2009 04:00:48 +0100 2999759 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993908&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2024 Pesticides & Politics, Part 2 the second of two guest blogs concerning medical cannabis safety by M. Backes November 11, 2009 The Los Angeles City Attorney’s office found 5.25% of the cannabis samples tested from purchases made at Los Angeles dispensaries (3 out of 52 samples) to contain pesticide residues. Legal thresholds of pesticide residue on cannabis have not yet been established by the EPA or CDPR. By comparison, when the CDPR tests fresh ginger root purchased from California supermarkets, it has found that 5% of samples contain illegally high levels of pesticide residues. Questions: Should California state and local officials be concerned about pesticide contamination on medical cannabis? How does the risk of contaminated cannabis (an unregulated agricultural product) compa... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993908 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 12:07:32 +0100 2993908 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993909&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2021 Pesticides & Politics, part 1 (This is a guest blog by M. Backes, responding to allegations by City Attorney Carmen Trutanich about pesticides on medical cannabis.) October 15, 2009 LA City Attorney, Carmen “Nuch” Trutanich, has been all over the media trying to convince Los Angeles that a pesticide used to kill Mexican fire ants is evidence that medical cannabis provided by dispensaries is poisonous and supporting Mexican drug cartels. Having abandoned the flawed interpretation of the California Supreme Court’s decision in People v. Mentch, Mr. Trutanich and LA County District Attorney Steve Cooley have now latched onto toxic reefer as their latest justification for shuttering LA’s pot shops. According to Trutanich, three samples of medical marijuana from “controlled buys�... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993909 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:48:59 +0100 2993909 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2993910&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2018 Medical marijuana gets a boost from major doctors group The American Medical Assn. changes its policy to promote clinical research and development of cannabis-based medicines and alternative delivery methods. By John Hoeffel November 11, 2009 The American Medical Assn. on Tuesday urged the federal government to reconsider its classification of marijuana as a dangerous drug with no accepted medical use, a significant shift that puts the prestigious group behind calls for more research. The nation’s largest physicians organization, with about 250,000 member doctors, the AMA has maintained since 1997 that marijuana should remain a Schedule I controlled substance, the most restrictive category, which also includes heroin and LSD. In changing its policy, the group said its goal was to cl... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2993910 Sun, 15 Nov 2009 00:37:16 +0100 2993910 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992815&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F11%2F12%2Fpolicy-update-progress-in-the-fight-against-hivaids%2F The HIV/AIDS community continues to make progress in the policy fight against the epidemic. Critical funding has been maintained or enhanced at the state and federal levels, and discriminatory policies targeting HIV+ people are coming undone. Read on for more detail on key areas of policy progress, as well as struggles that still need your help. National HIV/AIDS Strategy Comment Period Closing Friday AIDS Action Committee is proud to be a leading member of the Coalition for a National AIDS Strategy, the grassroots organization founded two years ago that successfully lobbied presidential candidates Obama and McCain to commit to creating a National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. After 26 years of the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic, the U.S. still operates without a coordinated, outcom... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992815 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 23:13:39 +0100 2992815 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989356&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2015 [tuesday, November 3, 2009] good morning president garcetti, distinguished council members. i have given the clerk copies of my prepared remarks. my name is richard kearns. i am a 58-year-old gay man with AIDS, a long-term survivor & activist, a medical cannabis advocate, a poet & journalist. i am here this morning to suggest a plan B for medical cannabis in LA please empower a special high-speed ad hoc medical cannabis team, who, starting with the text of the city’s legislative analyst submitted to the plum committee september 25th can finish translating the whereases to section numbers inside a month (sort of like going from iambic pentameter to dactylic hexameter) & not to “correct” them, but to produce a good faith medical cannabis ordinance, one that spells out fees... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989356 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:49:10 +0100 2989356 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989357&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2010 chers— wanted to put up reference info from the wikipedia entry for satyagraha, not only because it doesn’t get enough circulation, but also because i believe it could be a successful strategy when applied to the development of an LA medical cannabis ordinance. i don’t think it has truly been applied yet. take a read namasté —rk Satyagraha theory also influenced Martin Luther King, Jr. during the campaigns he led during the civil rights movement in the United States: Like most people, I had heard of Gandhi, but I had never studied him seriously. As I read I became deeply fascinated by his campaigns of nonviolent resistance. I was particularly moved by his Salt March to the Sea and his numerous fasts. The whole concept of Satyagraha (Satya is truth which equals love, and ag... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989357 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 01:25:22 +0100 2989357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2989358&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D2007 chers— this is my favorite essay on the term “namasté,” which belongs in the mix before we go too much further along. i make no claims about divinity here, because nothing can really be verifiably known about divinity. but we all share & perceive & express greatnesses whose roots reach into an inner invisible realm of spirit. namasté —rk . . . while we are singing the praises of namasté, it should be observed how efficient a gesture it is in an age of mass communication. A politician, or performer can greet fifty thousand people with a single namasté, and they can return the honor instantly. In such a situation a handshake is unthinkable . . . “Shake hands and come out fighting.” It’s the referee’s final counsel to two pugilists ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2989358 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:17:18 +0100 2989358 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977521&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1997 chers— this is the second publication of this letter, which originally went to rocky degadillo, the LA city attorney at the time (march 4, 2009). in it, i itemize the many problems with a “cultivation only” type ordinance for people who are sick & dying, an ordinance such as the current city attorney, carmen trutanich, has currently proposed, an ordinance whose intent is to shut down medical cannabis in los angeles by making the regulations unreasonable, contrary to the intent of voters and the LA city council. i will be offering a copy of it to mr. trutanich at the lgbt community forum tonight. he is a big supporter of same-sex marriage, and rode in gay pride in councilmember dennis zine’s motorcycle brigade. what’s the problem with medical cannabis? his... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977521 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 21:31:01 +0100 2977521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2977523&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1990 Dear friends and colleagues, I am reaching out to you today to invite you to join the World AIDS Day “Testing Millions” campaign.  A global coalition is working hard to make HIV testing free and accessible with linkages to antiretroviral treatment (ART).  Be a part of this worldwide movement to conquer AIDS. We at AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) believe that the best way to reach the estimated 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS is to identify those who do not know they are infected and link them to treatment. This is also the best route to combating the spread of the disease, as it is believed that the source of the majority of new infections are people who are HIV positive, but do not know it. Clearly, testing in much greater numbers is urgently needed.  AHF’s Testing Milli... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2977523 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:26:18 +0100 2977523 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974158&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1987 ViiV vows joint venture will help fight HIV By Andrew Jack November 3 2009 The new head of the pioneering HIV joint venture between GlaxoSmithKline andPfizer predicts his company can operate for at least five years without fresh funding from its shareholders. Dominique Limet, chief executive of ViiV Healthcare, which was formally launched on Tuesday, says it will generate £1.6bn a year in sales to finance its own research and would begin paying a dividend to its two owners in 2011 as it sells new products. A woman infected with HIV prepares her medicines in Indonesia. She could be one of thousands who would benefit from more effective treatments EDITOR’S CHOICE Novartis to expand Chinese research labs - Nov-03 French crackdown on parallel drugs trade - Nov-02 Interactive grap... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974158 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 17:10:49 +0100 2974158 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974159&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1984 Larger Merck says merger will actually increase R&D efficiency pharmatimes.com 05 November 2009 The new Merck & Co has opened its doors for business, and the company has been laying out its plans for future growth now that Schering-Plough has been added to the group. Chief executive Richard Clark says that “our integration teams prepared us well for a strong start…with thorough plans designed to ensure a seamless transition”. The new entity now has more than 15 late-stage candidates “spanning critical therapeutic categories” and has 106,000 employees in more than 140 countries. That figure is expected to be reduced by 15%, or some 15,000 jobs, as Merck has set itself a target of cost savings of $3.5 billion annually beyond 2011, “which are expected to co... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974159 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 15:11:25 +0100 2974159 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974160&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1980 Drug Policy Changes Under New Director Talk of the Nation The Department of Justice will no longer prosecute medical marijuana users who comply with state laws. Some reform advocates hope the move means decriminalization of pot may be in the works. Drug czar Gil Kerlikowske talks about the direction of U.S. drug policy. REBECCA ROBERTS, host please click here to kisten to audio recording of Kerlikowske’s interview on the NPR site This is TALK OF THE NATION. I’m Rebecca Roberts in Washington. Last month, medical marijuana advocates cheered when Attorney General Eric Holder announced that the Department of Justice will de-prioritize cases against medical marijuana users and dispensaries, as long as they comply with state laws. But Gil Kerlikowske, the director of the Office of N... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974160 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 08:52:54 +0100 2974160 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2974161&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1978 text transcribed from jpeg follows jump LGBT forum with los angeles city attorney carmen trutanich an evening of discussion on how the los angeles city attorney’s office may address issues concerning the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities tuesday, november 10, 2009 the village at ed gould plaza, renberg theatre 1125 n. mccadden place los angeles, ca 90038 reception 6pm refreshments will be served community forum 7-8pm presented by asian pacific islander pride council la gay & lesbian center jordan/rustin coalition log cabin republicans stonewall democratic club 2009 LA Pride Parade held in West Hollywood, California Los Angeles City Attorney Elect Carmen Trutanich rides in the 2009 LA Pride Parade in West Hollywood, California on June 14, 2009. (UPI Photo/Phil Mc... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2974161 Mon, 09 Nov 2009 07:10:52 +0100 2974161 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2963281&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1961 World AIDS Day Federal Conference Call Tuesday, November 17, 2009: 2:30pm - 4:00pm (EST) AIDS.gov is hosting a World AIDS Day Conference Call for Federal staff and grantees. The call will provide a brief update on the state of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. and a brief overview of the global epidemic. Participants will have a chance to ask these representatives about Federal HIV/AIDS programs: Dr. Howard Koh, HHS Mr. Christopher Bates, Office of HIV/AIDS Policy Ambassador Eric Goosby, PEPFAR Dr. Kevin Fenton, CDC Mr. David Vos, HUD Dr. Deborah Parham Hopson, HRSA Dr. Carl Dieffenbach, NIH/NIAID Ms. Beverly Watts Davis, SAMHSA Dr. Ronald Valdiserri, VA To participate, register here by November 15. Conference call capacity is limited to the first 3500 callers. If you have logistical... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2963281 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:50:06 +0100 2963281 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2948449&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1958 Is LA’s City Attorney a Wolf in Loose Cannon Clothes? CityWatch By Ken Draper Oct 30, 2009 So what are we to think of our Carmen Trutanich? Is the City’s attorney a sad buffoon or a wonderful, much needed, City Hall bully? As has become the case in this considerably divided national and local political climate, the answer to who won the game depends on which side of the field the fans are sitting. As a society we’ve become quite good at defending … making excuses for … the foolish performances of those we blindly support. Such is the case these days with LA’s heat-seeking and controversial City Attorney. A bunch of folks love him and rationalize away his over-the-top behavior. (“He knows what he’s doing … it’s all part of a plan … he has City Hall right where he wan... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2948449 Sun, 01 Nov 2009 03:14:55 +0100 2948449 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2948450&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmpegmedia.abc.net.au%2Fnews%2Faudio%2Ftwt%2F200910%2F20091030-twt-6-marijuana-tussle.mp3 US vows crackdown on medical marijuana By Kim Landers for The World Today, ABC news australia Fri Oct 30, 2009 Audio: LA officials to clean up the joint(The World Today) Officials in the United States are vowing to crack down on medical marijuana facilities even as the Obama administration signals a new hands-off policy on the drug. Los Angeles officials have been agonising for two years over a move to introduce what they call sensible guidelines to help regulate the booming industry. In the US, 14 states have laws allowing the use of medical marijuana, but no state has gone further than California and no city has gone further than LA, where there are more marijuana dispensaries than public schools. Brian Berens is the owner of Green Oasis, a medical marijuana dispensary in LA. “Da... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2948450 Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:29:14 +0100 2948450 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2947090&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1946 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act Signed into Law REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT SIGNING OF THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT EXTENSION ACT OF 2009a Diplomatic Reception Room 11:58 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. AUDIENCE: Good morning. THE PRESIDENT: We often speak about AIDS as if it’s going on somewhere else. And for good reason — this is a virus that has touched lives and decimated communities around the world, particularly in Africa. But often overlooked is the fact that we face a serious HIV/AIDS epidemic of our own — right here in Washington, D.C., and right here in the United States of America. And today, we are taking two important steps forward in the fight that we face here at home. It has been nearly three decades since this virus first... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2947090 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:40:17 +0100 2947090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944018&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1936 Obama to sign Ryan White reauthorization Friday Measure would provide funds for an additional four years By CHRIS JOHNSON Oct 29 2009 President Obama plans to sign into law on Friday a reauthorization of funds under the Ryan White Care Act, according to Shin Inouye, a White House spokesperson. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 would provide funding for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS for an additional four years. First enacted in 1990, the Ryan White Care Act is the nation’s largest federally funded program for people living with HIV/AIDS and is designed to assist low-income patients who are underinsured or who have no insurance. (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944018 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:47:52 +0100 2944018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944019&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1927 ONLINE JOURNALISM & BLOGGING AS A PROFESSION Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 4:30pm English Dept. University Hall 3226 Loyola Marymount University Featuring Siel Environmental Activist & Founder of Green LA Girl Blog http://greenlagirl.com/ Richard Kearns Blogger & Activist, HIV/AIDS issues http://aids-write.org http://havvacc.wordpress.com Simon Samano Associate Editor, NFL.com http://www.nfl.com/ Sponsored by the LMU English Department • Refreshments will be served For more info, contact Molly Youngkin, 310-568-6226 DIRECTIONS TO LMU We will be meeting in University Hall 3226, which is at the east end of the building. Please ask for a visitor’s pass, which is free, at the entry gate on Lincoln Boulevard and park in Visitor Parking in P2 or P3 in University Hall. If you p... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944019 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 04:22:24 +0100 2944019 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944020&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1923 Farr Introduces Medical Marijuana Fair Trial Bill Wed. October 28, 2009 WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congressman Sam Farr on Tuesday introduced legislation that would allow individuals accused of violating federal marijuana laws to offer evidence in federal court that their use of medical marijuana followed state medical marijuana laws. Rep. Farr introduced the bill, called the Truth in Trials Act, in the wake of a recent directive from the Justice Department telling federal prosecutors not to prosecute individuals who are following state medical marijuana laws. The bill would codify legal protections for defendants caught between state and federal laws, ensuring that state medical marijuana laws remain a defense in federal trials even if a future administration overturns the recent guidelines. &#... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944020 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:50:58 +0100 2944020 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944021&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1921 One City’s Insane Fight Against Obama’s Sane New Pot Policy The administration has officially put a stop to crackdowns on the medical-marijuana business, but to hear the dispensers tell it, nothing’s stopping Los Angeles from finding every last ridiculous loophole By John H. Richardson October 27, 2009 Two years ago, in the throes of a Bush administration that disregarded states’ rights whenever it felt like getting high on itself, there were fewer than two hundred medical-marijuana outlets in Los Angeles. Today, even the most conservative estimates say that number has quadrupled. On one stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard alone, four thriving pot shops estimate their tax payments at $4 million a year. Got an emergency radiation treatment and can’t find the n... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944021 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:22:49 +0100 2944021 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944022&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1915 POT GROUP: BANNING MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES WOULD COST L.A. MILLIONS Story Published: Oct 25, 2009 Los Angeles’ proposed medical marijuana ordinance, which would outlaw the sale of pot at dispensaries, would cost the city $36 million to $74 million in lost sales taxes, a marijuana advocacy group asserted Sunday. Under the proposed ordinance, only nonprofit medical marijuana collectives — groups of qualified patients and their primary caregivers — would be allowed to cultivate the drug to relieve pain from serious illnesses. According to the California chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, the proposed ordinance would “effectively shut down the city’s medical marijuana distribution system by banning all sales of marijuana... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944022 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:46:34 +0100 2944022 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2944023&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1913 Los Angeles could act on medical pot in early November A proposal to ban all sales of medical marijuana in the city is unlikely to be taken up next week. Aides to Councilman Smith say he supports it and believes it would force most dispensaries to close. By John Hoeffel October 23, 2009 The Los Angeles City Council moved Thursday to consider a controversial medical marijuana ordinance in early November, as a poll released by a national organization that supports marijuana legalization found that more than three-quarters of voters in the county want dispensaries regulated, not prosecuted and closed. FOR THE RECORD: Medical marijuana: An article in Friday’s Section A on medical marijuana misattributed a quote to Los Angeles City Council President Eric Garcetti. It was Councilman Gre... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2944023 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 01:23:33 +0100 2944023 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2927521&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1905 chers— eight posts on HIV/AIDS & H1N1 at http://HAVVACC.wordpress.com (the HIV/AIDS volunteer virtual assisted care community) weho news: free flu shots tuesday by cedars (056) cdc recommendations for HIVers (full text) (055) about.com — difference between  seasonal & swine flus (054) AIDS-meds no evidence HIV worsens H1N1 severity (053) natap-sickest H1N1 patients have comorbidities (052) weho news – michael mooney on vaccine drawbacks (051) wikipedia: 1918 flu epidemic (050) cdc swine flu social media toolkit (049) namaste —rk (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2927521 Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:32:34 +0100 2927521 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920435&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1900 City of Angles L.A. Medical Marijuana Scene in Tumult By Brian Doherty October 22, 2009 8:57 AM The medical marijuana scene in Los Angeles gets more uncertain, with judges knocking down the existing moratorium, the city attorney threatening a severe crackdown, and the city council ready to act on a new wave of restrictions. First on the court action, from the L.A. Times account: A Superior Court judge concluded today that Los Angeles’ moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries is invalid and granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the ban sought by a dispensary that had sued the city. Judge James C. Chalfant determined that the city failed to follow state law when it extended its initial moratorium. “The city cannot rely on an expired ordinance,” he ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920435 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 02:57:42 +0100 2920435 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2920436&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1898 LAnow Medical marijuana poll: Most L.A. voters support dispensaries by John Hoeffel October 22, 2009 | 10:00 am More than three-quarters of the voters in Los Angeles County want to see medical marijuana dispensaries regulated, rather than prosecuted and forced to close, according to a poll released today by a national organization that supports marijuana legalization. The poll, completed Monday and Tuesday, also found that 74% support the state’s medical marijuana law, while 54% want to see marijuana legalized, regulated and taxed. The Marijuana Policy Project, based in Washington, D.C., commissioned the poll by an independent firm, Mason-Dixon Polling & Research, after Los Angeles County Dist. Atty. Steve Cooley threatened all dispensaries in the county with prosecution. Cool... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2920436 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:44:25 +0100 2920436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916386&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1893 Los Angeles City Council to rush vote on medical pot law The draft ordinance currently being urged would severely restrict the operations of medical marijuana dispensaries, which have exploded across the city in the absence of permanent regulation. By John Hoeffel October 20, 2009 | 10:25 p.m With its moratorium on new medical marijuana dispensaries declared unlawful, the Los Angeles City Council is now poised to act quickly on a strict ordinance that it has struggled with fitfully for more than two years. On Tuesday, the city attorney’s office delivered a draft that some members want the council to take up within a week. The sudden acceleration stems from a Superior Court ruling Monday that left the city unable to enforce its ban and derailed its four-month-old drive to shut down ne... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916386 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:09:07 +0100 2916386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916387&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1890 Medical Pot Is Bringing L.A. Together In the increasingly acrimonious pot wars, all sides agree City Hall is incompetent By PATRICK RANGE MCDONALD AND JILL STEWART Published on October 21, 2009 at 5:04pm When Los Angeles Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant ruled on October 19 that the Los Angeles City Council’s two-year moratorium on medical-marijuana dispensaries was illegal, invalidating the ban, few legal experts seemed surprised — including City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, whose aide promptly admitted that the City Council had indeed been in the wrong. The judge issued an injunction banning L.A. from enforcing its moratorium against Green Oasis, a popular pot shop in Playa Vista. That decision is widely expected to prevent City Hall from enforcing its ban throughout Los Angeles.... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916387 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:36:16 +0100 2916387 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916388&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1888 Rally Thursday!! What: LA Rally & Protest - and Statewide Day of Action When: Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Where: Los Angeles City Hall - N. Main St. entrance (between Temple and 1st St.) LA is going to pass regulations that will close our dispensaries.  The raids have already started.  It’s time for ALL of us to take a stand. Call all your friends and gather at City Hall today. Stay safe and be well. Sincerely, Degé Coutee Education & Advocacy Director Patient Advocacy Network www.CannabisSavesLives.com (323) 334-5282 (Source: aids-write.org) aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916388 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:24:58 +0100 2916388 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916389&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1885 What Gets You Out of Bed in the Morning (when over- whelmed, discouraged, etc.)?: Answers to Sunday’s Question Julie Cristal had a good idea: so many good answers today (October 18) they should be “preserved” in a single note. Here they are: K.D. Miller: the fact that I have a world to change for my eight year old sister!! Lisa Hirzel: the need to keep my job. Peggi Cella: The belief that every new day holds endless possibilities and I want to be available to them. Kathleen C. Rolenz: Putting on my running shoes and running. Like I am doing right now Steve Louzos: I think of a dear friend who died a few years back. Steven would call up, blurt out a phrase and then abruptly hang up. Here’s what he would say, “Something wonderful is gonna happen today!” ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916389 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:50:18 +0100 2916389 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916390&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1882 Medical pot advocates say law still a purple haze By MARCUS WOHLSEN and LISA LEFF Associated Press Writers Tuesday, October 20, 2009 SAN FRANCISCO — A new Obama administration policy loosening guidelines on federal prosecution of medical marijuana on Monday signaled to users that they had less to fear from federal agents but still left their suppliers to contend with a tangled mesh of state laws and regulations. The Justice Department told federal prosecutors that targeting people who use or provide medical marijuana in strict compliance with state laws was not a good use of their time. Marijuana advocates and patients called the memo an encouraging step forward from the strict anti-pot policies of the Bush administration. But many worried that the web of laws in the 14 states that allow... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916390 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 04:09:46 +0100 2916390 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916391&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1879 Judge rules L.A.’s ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries is invalid The Superior Court judge’s decision undermines the city’s 4-month-old drive to shut down hundreds of the stores. By John Hoeffel October 20, 2009 Los Angeles’ ban on new medical marijuana dispensaries is invalid, a Superior Court judge said Monday in a decision that undermines the city’s 4-month-old drive to shut down hundreds of the stores. The judge issued an injunction banning enforcement of the moratorium against Green Oasis, a dispensary in Playa Vista that had challenged the ban. But city officials acknowledged the ruling would effectively block current efforts to enforce the ban against other dispensaries. The decision came on the day the Obama administration issued guidelines that ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916391 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:37:51 +0100 2916391 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916392&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1874 .LA NOW . Judge grants injunction against city’s medical marijuana dispensary ban by John Hoeffel at L.A. Superior Court October 19, 2009 | 11:13 am A Superior Court judge concluded today that Los Angeles’ moratorium on new medical marijuana dispen-saries is invalid and granted a preliminary injunction against enforcement of the ban sought by a dispensary that had sued the city. Judge James C. Chalfant determined that the city failed to follow state law when it extended its initial moratorium. “The city cannot rely on an expired ordinance,” he said. Green Oasis and a number of other medical marijuana collectives sued the city last month, challenging its efforts to control the dispensaries. The lawsuit argued that the City Council violated state law when it extended... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916392 Thu, 22 Oct 2009 03:21:06 +0100 2916392 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916393&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1871 MEMORANDUM FOR SELECTED UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS October 19,2009 FROM: David W. Ogden - Deputy Attorney General SUBJECT: Investigations and Prosecutions in States Authorizing the Medical Use of Marijuana This memorandum provides clarification and guidance to federal prosecutors in States that have enacted laws authorizing the medical use of marijuana. These laws vary in their substantive provisions and in the extent of state regulatory oversight, both among the enacting States and among local jurisdictions within those States. Rather than developing different guidelines for every possible variant of state and local law, this memorandum provides uniform guidance to focus federal investigations and prosecutions in these States on core federal enforcement priorities. The Department of Just... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916393 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 22:36:00 +0100 2916393 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916394&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1868 Pelosi Applauds House Passage of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act Washington, D.C. – Speaker Nancy Pelosi released the following statement in support of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 408 to 9. The Senate passed the bill earlier this week so the bill now goes to President Obama for his signature into law. “As everyone knows, San Francisco was hit early and hard by the devastation of AIDS. But San Franciscans responded to the needs of our neighbors by developing a system of community-based care that became the model for the Ryan White CARE Act when it was first enacted in 1990. “Today, Ryan White-funded initiatives are a fundamental component of the systems of care upon which low-income individua... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916394 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:43:11 +0100 2916394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2916395&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1864 STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY S. 1793 — Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 (Sen. Harkin, D-Iowa) The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. The Ryan White program provides critical health care and related services to uninsured and underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS. This legislation authorizes appropriations for the program for the next four years. The Administration is committed to strengthening access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS. The legislation reauthorizes all parts of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and supports continued funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative, the goal of which is to address the disproportionate impact of the disease on racial and ethnic minorities. When ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2916395 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:19:24 +0100 2916395 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2886673&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F10%2F13%2Fnational-equality-march-a-call-to-action-at-the-aids-rally-vigil%2F This past weekend, tens of thousands (some estimates have it at hundreds of thousands) of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and allied people from across the nation converged on Washington, DC for the National Equality March (NEM), the first national LGBT rights march in DC since 2000. On Saturday, October 10th, 15+ organizations hosted a rally and vigil for HIV/AIDS on the Ellipse, not even a block away from the White House. Cleve Jones, one of the co-chairs of the NEM and founder of the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt, said of the rally, “The weekend of course is about achieving full equality for LGBT Americans. We need to be using that political power to underscore that the AIDS epidemic continues. We believe a great many young people will be attending the march, and they need... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2886673 Tue, 13 Oct 2009 14:33:38 +0100 2886673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2876298&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35246&url=http%3A%2F%2Faids-write.org%2F%3Fp%3D1857 chers— this was a very thoughtful & (i thought) useful overview looking at the spread of HIV/AIDS as driven by social structures. Dr. Lynne C. Todman, Director of the Institute of Social Exclusion (ISE) at the Adler School of Professional Psychology in Chicago, presented it at the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance teleconference call may 27, 2009. Toddman’s point: “Poverty reduction must be at the core of any long-term, sustainable solution to ending HIV/AIDS.” these are the official notes from the session, which also included presentations by  Marisa Franco, National Lead Organizer, Right to the City Alliance & Jaime Grant, Ph.D., Director of the Policy Institute at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) also, see the link to the book toddman recommends below, ... aids-write.org blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2876298 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 05:10:12 +0100 2876298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2804172&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F09%2F16%2Froutine-testing-town-halls-inform-aacs-ongoing-deliberations%2F This summer AAC’s Public Policy department held a series of town hall meetings in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, Gloucester, and Brockton to discuss the feasibility of implementing routine testing for HIV in medical settings, such as a doctor’s office. The intent of the meetings was to solicit feedback from the HIV/AIDS community regarding recent changes to the Centers for Disease Control recommendations in favor of routine testing in these settings. According to the CDC, the changes in their recommendations, which are nonbinding, were made in an effort to decrease the number of people who do not know their HIV status by making HIV testing a routine part of doctor and hospital visits. We learned a great deal about what the community thinks about the CDC’s recommendations... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2804172 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 19:59:09 +0100 2804172 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2737972&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F08%2F26%2Fa-tribute-to-senator-kennedy-champion-of-people-living-with-hivaids%2F I will always remember Ted Kennedy as he stood in St. Patrick’s Cathedral in 1968 delivering the eulogy for his brother Robert.  In describing his brother, he quoted George Bernard Shaw, “Some men see things as they are and ask why.  I dream things that never were and say why not”.  His voice cracked but he stood tall and shouldered that legacy until his death.  The broad shoulders that had made him a star Harvard football player would bear not only the responsibility for his entire family, but the burdens of all those in America who were denied the rights guaranteed to them by our forefathers in the Declaration of Independence. Senator Ted Kennedy dreamed of an America where all those who lived here had access to quality affordable health care.  He asked why Blacks and Latinos ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2737972 Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:54:02 +0100 2737972 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691728&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F08%2F11%2Fhiv-treating-clinicians-support-health-care-reform-remain-concerned-about-hiv-specific-treatment%2F Yesterday the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (IAPAC) issued a press release stating the group’s support of ongoing health care reform efforts. Based on a survey, IAPAC found that nearly 91% of their 4,000 US members feel that health care reform is urgent (from somewhat to extremely), while 73% support (the hotly debated) public health insurance plan option. Despite general support for reform, individual members expressed a range of concerns about how reform outcomes will affect their profession and HIV/AIDS treatment, in particular. One nurse expressed concern about the possibility of limited health care choices, while a doctor assumes it will take significant reforms (like the ones proposed) to make it possible for his HIV-positive patients to finally afford al... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691728 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:26:56 +0100 2691728 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2682099&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F08%2F07%2Fnytimes-wash-post-come-out-strongly-against-new-restrictions-on-syringe-exchange-funding%2F The House of Representatives recently passed a bill that would end the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs — a major victory for public health advocates. Unfortunately, Representatives who do not want to see the ban go away were successful in attaching an amendment to the bill prohibiting federally-funded syringe exchange programs “from operating within 1,000 feet of colleges, universities, parks, video arcades, day-care centers, high schools, public swimming pools and other institutions.” In America’s dense, urban communities where IV drug use and HIV infection rates run high, such restrictions make it nearly impossible to run a federally-funded program, effectively maintaining the blanket ban for America’s hardest hit areas. It’s possi... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2682099 Fri, 07 Aug 2009 17:14:31 +0100 2682099 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2657873&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F07%2F30%2Fsenate-throws-wrench-in-effort-to-lift-the-syringe-exchange-funding-ban%2F The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies approved a spending bill this week that maintains the ban on federal funding for syringe exchange programs nationwide. Just last week the Subcommittee’s companion in the House approved a bill that strikes the ban, marking “the first time in 20 years that the federal government is on the verge of recognizing syringe exchange as an important, evidence-based tool in HIV prevention…,” said Rebecca Haag, AIDS Action Committee President & CEO and Executive Director of AIDS Action Council, the national advocacy group. House and Senate leaders will determine the fate of the syringe exchange ban in conference, where both sides work to reconcile differences in their ver... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2657873 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 18:59:22 +0100 2657873 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2637975&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F07%2F24%2Fact-now-federal-repeal-of-needle-exchange-funding-is-in-serious-trouble%2F UPDATED:  US House of Representatives ENDS the Federal funding ban on Syringe Exchange.  Read the AIDS Action Council press release here. Previously:  The repeal of the Federal Ban on Syringe Exchange Funding is in serious trouble. Please act now to make sure that the repeal of the federal ban goes through. Call your Representative in the US Congress and tell them to reject the Souder Amendment that prohibits HHS funding for distribution of sterile needles. This amendment is being considered today. Call Now. To find out who your Congressional Representative is visit the US House website: http://www.house.gov/. There is a “find your Representative” box in the upper left corner where you plug in your zip code. You may need the additional four numbers, in which case the site will dir... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2637975 Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:09:15 +0100 2637975 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2634611&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F07%2F23%2Faids-organizations-enlist-sen-kerry-in-securing-lgbt-rights-abroad%2F Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which greatly influences American policies and practices abroad. In the last week, HIV/AIDS and LGBT rights organizations (including AIDS Action Committee) sent two letters to Sen. Kerry urging him to adopt LGBT rights provisions in a pending Foreign Relations Authorization Bill, which influences the State Department among other things. The letters emphasize the ongoing connection between gay men and other men who have sex with men (MSM) and the growing AIDS pandemic, especially in countries that generally deny homosexuality and/or criminalize homosexual behavior. While epidemiologists have long known that the heterosexual transmission of HIV has been greater in countries outside of Europe and North Ame... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2634611 Thu, 23 Jul 2009 20:52:20 +0100 2634611 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2602183&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F07%2F14%2Fwhy-is-hivaids-absent-from-the-cdcs-health-report-for-people-over-55-years-old%2F Last week, CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics issued a 32-page report entitled “Health Characteristics of Adults Aged 55 Years and Over: United States, 2004–2007.”The report summarizes overall health status, health care access and use, and a range of health behaviors among persons 55 years and older.  It also provides information about a number of specific health conditions, including hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, hearing and vision impairment, loss of natural teeth, psychological stress, and difficulty maintaining physical of social function.  The CDC researchers found significant health disparities, particularly among older persons who live near or below the poverty line.  Sadly, the words ‘HIV’, ‘AIDS’, or ‘hepatitis’ are not mentioned ev... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2602183 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 17:19:54 +0100 2602183 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2591664&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F07%2F10%2Faids-action-council-applauds-removal-of-ban-on-federal-funding-for-syringe-exchange-programs%2F   AIDS Action Council commends Chairman David R. Obey (D-WI) and the Labor, Health and Human Services Appropriations sub-committee members on removing the ban on the use of federal funds for syringe exchange programs from the Labor, Health and Human Services FY 2010 Appropriations bill. In Chairman Obey’s prepared remarks he stated, “This bill deletes the prohibition on the use of funds for needle exchange programs. Scientific studies have documented that needle exchange programs, when implemented as part of a comprehensive prevention strategy, are an effective public health intervention for reducing AIDS/HIV infections and do not promote drug use.  The judgment we make is that it is time to lift this ban and let State and local jurisdictions determine if they want to pursue this app... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2591664 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 17:06:57 +0100 2591664 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2464357&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F06%2F08%2Femory-university-looks-at-same-sex-civil-marriage-bans-and-hiv-rates%2F In an interesting story, bans on same-sex marriage can be tied to a rise in the rate of HIV infection a new study by two Emory economists has found. In the first study of the impact of social tolerance levels toward gays in the United States on the HIV transmission rate, the researchers estimated that a constitutional ban on gay marriage raises the rate by four cases per 100,000 people. You can read the full story here (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2464357 Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:59:07 +0100 2464357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2405067&cid=t_106039_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E5%2FNXGhYM4LHOY%2FCameroon.pdf Between August 2004 and February 2005, the HIV prevention world was rocked by the suspension and cancellation of two pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) trials in Cambodia and Cameroon. To the considerable surprise of researchers, advocates and donors, these HIV prevention trials became embroiled in escalating controversies and sparked protests by activists speaking on behalf of the communities where trial participants were being recruited. The activists not only raised questions about how the research was being conducted, but also challenged the fundamental ethics and underlying motives of the research.Just this week, my colleagues at the Global Campaign for Microbicides released two in-depth case studies relating the events that led to these trial cancellations and extracting the lessons the... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2405067 Wed, 13 May 2009 20:41:01 +0100 2405067 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349469&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F04%2F17%2Fa-day-in-the-life-at-aids-action-committee%2F The money raised each year by AIDS Walk Boston supports a diverse and far-reaching range of programs and services. Here’s a snapshot of a typical day at AIDS Action Committee, to show the many ways AAC provides care for over 2,500 clients and reaches out to thousands of others in the community. 9:15 a.m. A client’s neighbors have become violent and threatening because of his perceived sexual orientation, and extreme anxiety is affecting his health. His client advocate and the Rental Start-Up Program Coordinator begin the process of finding him a new apartment and providing first and last months’ rental costs, to ensure his safety. 10:00 a.m. Through the Maria Talks website, the Massachusetts Sexual Health Helpline team gets an email from a teen seeking advice on how to deal with peer... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349469 Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:00:26 +0100 2349469 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2349470&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F04%2F13%2Fone-small-step-for-microbicides%2F The results are in, and it’s good news for microbicides development, as well as for prevention advocates around the globe. At this year’s Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), researchers presented promising data on a candidate microbicide known as PRO 2000, showing that women who used the gel had a 30% reduction in HIV transmission. Microbicides are experimental substances designed to prevent or reduce the likelihood of HIV transmission and often other sexually transmitted infections. Microbicides are applied vaginally or anally, prior to sex. These substances will hopefully one day provide an alternative option or backup for the millions of women and men around the world who are unable to use condoms.  While the recent findings fall short of the long-te... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2349470 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:12:22 +0100 2349470 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2298725&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F03%2F30%2Fact-now-to-stop-misleading-aids-charity%2F For those who care about the cause of HIV/AIDS, it’s vexing that an issue of such importance, gravity and urgency rarely seems to earn headlines, let alone placement on the front pages of national newspapers.  That’s why many of us were surprised to see that HIV/AIDS had finally made it to the front pages of the New York Times website, for well over a week running now.  Has there been a revolutionary medical or policy advance?  Not exactly.  It turns out that all it would have taken to get HIV/AIDS onto these front pages was money.  And a blind eye. The New York Times has been running ads (a lot of them) for an organization called the Center for AIDS Prevention.  Good, right? Anything that raises awareness helps us all, right? No, as it turns out. When I first saw these ads I was... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2298725 Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:41:13 +0100 2298725 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2284424&cid=t_106039_87_f&fid=34872&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blisstree.com%2Fhealthbolt%2Fthe-monday-sidebarreligion-and-health%2F Some sad but true actions by religious leaders that, in my opinion, really does nothing to help improve the world’s health. Back in 2003,  imams in northern Nigeria  claimed that polio vaccinations were part of a western plot aimed to make Muslims infertile or infect them with AIDS.  This resulted in large scale boycotting of the vaccines and an almost doubling of children crippled with polio the following year. (the good news - a big new anti-polio push is currently under way in Nigeria and this time, many of the Muslim imams are advocating for people to have the vaccination.) Meanwhile, the Pope, during his recent visit to Africa stated that ‘condoms are not the answer’ to fighting AIDS.  Not only that, he went on to add that it (condoms) only increases the probl... Healthbolt blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2284424 Mon, 23 Mar 2009 04:37:04 +0100 2284424 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2276853&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35247&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmyjourneywithaids.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F03%2F17%2F1922%2F To His Holiness Pope Benedict: Put an extra large condom over your mouth already. In fact, why not stretch it from your chin to your nose! Meanwhile enjoy Monty Python! (Source: My journey with AIDS) My journey with AIDS blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2276853 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 22:19:51 +0100 2276853 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2256028&cid=t_106039_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2FWR3AWwGA2is%2Ffeminization-of-hiv-macroeconomic.html The Appignani Bioethics Center, Guttmacher Institute and Population Council are co-sponsoring a panel discussion on "Feminization of HIV & Macroeconomic Policies." under the auspices of the fifty-third session of the Commission on the Status of Women, at the United Nations headquarters in New York, from 2 to 13 March 2009.Date & Place: Tuesday, March 10, 2009, 6.00-8.00 PM, 777 UN Plaza, 10th floor - Conference Room, NY 10017 The feminization of HIV relates to gender discrimination and social restrictions. These result in women's lacking access to education and employment as well as decision-making power. Victims of gender violence, women are deprived of sexual and reproductive rights. International agreements and decisions on gender equality must be translated into national legal... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2256028 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 19:23:33 +0100 2256028 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2222549&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F02%2F26%2Faids-action-applauds-jeffrey-crowleys-appointment-as-director-of-national-aids-policy%2F AIDS Action congratulates Jeffrey Crowley, an openly gay man with significant knowledge and experience in health care and HIV/AIDS for his appointment as Director of the Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP).  He joins a well respected and dedicated team in the Executive Office of the President’s Domestic Policy Council (DPC) and reports to Director Melody Barnes who has a long standing commitment to HIV/AIDS.    “Jeff Crowley’s appointment is the beginning of delivery on a promise made by President Obama to people living with, affected by and at risk for HIV/AIDS – that their needs will be included in the health care reform discussion and that a National AIDS Strategy will be developed which will establish outcomes, strategies and a timetables to end the domestic epidemic and ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2222549 Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:20:04 +0100 2222549 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2194894&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F02%2F18%2Fthe-search-for-an-hiv-vaccine-continues%2F by Jim Maynard The HIV Vaccine research community was excited to learn of Dr. Bruce Walker’s recent grant of 100 million dollars from Cambridge high tech software developer Philip Ragon and his wife Susan to fund the Ragon Institute.  Such a generous and committed donation – 10 million dollars per year for 10 years– will allow Dr. Walker and his collaborators at MGH, MIT, and Harvard to do the basic research needed to advance the knowledge needed for the development of a safe and effective vaccine against HIV infection.   This initiative and similar collaborations around the world are answering basic immunological questions that build towards the development of a vaccine to stop the pandemic. Finding a safe and effective vaccine will require more than bench work to develop new vac... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2194894 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:09:42 +0100 2194894 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2177561&cid=t_106039_87_f&fid=35052&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FWomensBioethicsBlog%2F%7E3%2F536617062%2Ffinally-some-good-news-for-women-at.html This study enrolled over 3000 at-risk women in Malawi, South Africa, United States, Zambia and Zimbabwe. In addition to showing that these products were safe to use, the study found that women used PRO2000 (as a topically-applied gel) plus condoms had 30% fewer HIV infections than those who used only condoms or condoms plus a placebo gel.Although the decrease in HIV infections among women using PRO2000 did not quite achieve statistical significance, this is first large-scale clinical trial showing that a candidate microbicide might actually work in women. A second trial of PRO2000, enrolling more than 9000 at-risk women in Southern Africa, is currently underway. The results of that study – known as MDP201 – will be available in November. If the data from the MDP201 trial also show that... Women's Bioethics Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2177561 Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:24:15 +0100 2177561 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2172925&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F02%2F09%2Fmaking-change-real-aids-in-black-america-in-2009%2F This weekend the Black AIDS Institute issued its yearly report on the state of AIDS in Black America: Making Change Real. The report addresses both the good and bad elements of this year’s landscape: while the new administration and Congress are supportive of HIV/AIDS issues, the CDC’s announcement of a 40% higher new-infection rate than previously thought, and the ongoing racial disparity in HIV infection rates are sobering facts.  The report includes in-depth statistics on HIV infection rates and race, and positive steps taken by the Black community in the past year to fight the disease. Download the PDF. (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2172925 Mon, 09 Feb 2009 18:59:46 +0100 2172925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167608&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F02%2F06%2Fmy-brothers-my-sisters-national-black-hivaids-awareness-day%2F February 7, 2009 will commemorate the ninth annual National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In the year that has passed since last February 7th, what have we learned? What has changed? Are we any closer to defeating the “Black Plague” of our times? Well, we have learned that the number of new infections per year in the U. S. was 40% higher than we previously were told. We know that nearly half of those new infections are Black Americans, and more than half of those infections are in gay or bisexual Black men. What has changed? Well as the national HIV epidemic has progressively become a disease of color, young Black gay and bisexual men under the age of 30 are bearing the brunt of this still growing menace. Black men who have sex with other men between the ages of 13-29 have infection ra... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167608 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:55:45 +0100 2167608 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2167609&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F02%2F06%2Fround-two-must-read-about-the-continued-hivstd-funding-debate%2F I highly recommend reading the CHAMP’s February “HHS Watch” special issue, which is devoted to the highly politicized debate over the inclusion of HIV/STD funding in the national economic stimulus bill. The titles of the articles put the issue right out there: • “The View from Under the Bus: HIV and STD Funding Becomes Lightning Rod for Stimulus Foes,” by Julie Davids of CHAMP (Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project) • “Shovel-Ready, But Shoved Aside? HIV Prevention is Real Work,” by David Ernesto Munar of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago • “Why Invest in HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB prevention?” - Talking points based on materials developed by a special subcommittee of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP) • “Statement on the Need for HIV/AIDS and STD P... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2167609 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:29:58 +0100 2167609 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2152928&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F02%2F02%2Flets-talk-about-jobs%2F If you haven’t already read this item on the Huffington Post, I highly recommend you review it when you have a few minutes: Let’s Talk About Jobs. It’s a posting called “Let’s Talk about Jobs” by Johnathon Briggs, the Director of Communications at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago.  I think he does a great job pointing out how some legislators are politicizing the proposal to include in the economic stimulus bill $400 million for HIV and STD screening and prevention – claiming that it has no place in a bill that is supposed to create jobs. Briggs makes a great case for how these prevention dollars will – in addition to helping stop preventable infections – in fact create much-needed jobs: “Most of the proposed funds would be used to retain and hire tho... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2152928 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 22:00:49 +0100 2152928 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121673&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F01%2F21%2Fabc-news-takes-a-look-at-prep-trials-now-going-on%2F ABC News’ reporter Lauren Cox takes a look at the ongoing investigational trials for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PreP).  Behavior issues and cost issues are also discussed in the article.  The full text of the article is here. (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121673 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:37:19 +0100 2121673 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2121674&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2009%2F01%2F20%2Fjoin-united-we-stand-for-health-at-the-statehouse-this-thursday-january-22nd-at-1pm%2F Due to the difficult financial times we face, the Department of Public Health has suffered tremendous cuts to its budget and is expecting more in the next few weeks.  Public Health programs prevent illness and disease and serve our most vulnerable residents, including people with HIV/AIDS, children, elders and those who are low-income.   A coalition of Public Health programs called United We Stand for Public Health is holding a press conference this Thursday, Jan 22nd, at 1pm, at the State House to urge the Commonwealth to protect public health.  Please join us as we stand up for Public Health and protect these programs from further cuts!  For more information about how to participate, please contact Deb Fournier at dfournier@aac.org    .     (Source: AIDS Action Committee's ... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2121674 Tue, 20 Jan 2009 20:53:32 +0100 2121674 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1968831&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F11%2F17%2Fstudents-from-smith-leadership-academy-visit-aids-actions-offices%2F 8th grade students from the Smith Leadership Academy paid a day-long visit the AIDS Action Committee offices in early November. They were accompanied by their homeroom teacher Laura Kacewicz and the head of Smith Leadership, Kamala Sherwood. While at the AAC office a number of staff members spoke to them, including Eric Brus in the HIV/AIDS Library, Tonia Hines & Emerson Miller from Peer Support, and Deb Fournier from Public Policy. Our BE SAFE Mass Promise Fellow Cara Mathews toured them around the offices and organized most of their activities. During the afternoon of their visit, the students made scarves out of fleece fabric that they brought with them.  When they had completed their project at the end of the day, the scarves were donated to Boomerangs to benefit AIDS Action.... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1968831 Mon, 17 Nov 2008 21:56:41 +0100 1968831 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1951858&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F11%2F11%2Fa-doctor-a-mutation-and-a-potential-cure-for-aids%2F (Pictured Dr. Gero Hütter/photo:Sixten Koerper) Writer Mark Schoofs tells of the startling case of an AIDS patient who underwent a bone marrow transplant to treat leukemia and how his story is stirring new hope that gene-therapy strategies on the far edges of AIDS research might someday cure the disease. The full text of the Wall Street Journal Heath story is here. (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1951858 Tue, 11 Nov 2008 20:02:35 +0100 1951858 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1939074&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F11%2F06%2Fny-times-explores-living-with-hivaids-in-a-thought-provoking-multi-media-story%2F             In the current online editon of The New York Times, their “Patient Voices” series continues with a look at eight men and women who share their experiences living with AIDS.  Thought-provoking and unflinchingly honest, the piece opens with the story of Robin Grinstead from Swansea S.C. who shares her small town stories, including the fact that she has not attended her church since her diagnosis was revealed by gossiping friend in March.  Other profiles include seven other powerful profiles of what it is like to live with AIDS today.  (You will need  sound capabilities on your computer for this feature) (Source: AIDS Action Committee's Blog) AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1939074 Thu, 06 Nov 2008 20:00:55 +0100 1939074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1879857&cid=t_106039_135_f&fid=35277&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.aac.org%2Findex.php%2F2008%2F10%2F14%2Fcbs-news-to-look-at-both-mccains-and-obamas-stance-on-aids-in-america%2F On Tuesday’s broadcast of the “CBS Evening News with Katie Couric,” Medical Contributor Dr. Sanjay Gupta reported on where each presidential candidate stands on AIDS in America.  There is a new infection every 9.5 minutes and an AIDS related death every 33 minutes with 1.2 million Americans who carry the virus.  Yet HIV / AIDS is America’s “forgotten epidemic,” as the nation spends almost $10 billion annually to fight AIDS abroad, but less than 10 percent of that here at home.  Dr. Gupta explored how Senators McCain and Obama intend to stop the epidemic and how they plan to care for those living with this deadly disease.  If you missed the report on CBS News on Tuesday night, for a link to the full story including video, please click here.      (... AIDS Action Committee's Blog blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1879857 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 15:57:43 +0100 1879857