California, U.S.A. – A new grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will support the development of a topical microbicide gel for drug delivery. The innovative gel formulation will be a combination therapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections in women.

Every day, more than 3,000 women around the world are newly infected with HIV, and it is the leading cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa. Of the 33.3 million people living with HIV/AIDS across the world, 22.5 million are in Africa. HSV-2 is a global epidemic and affects up to 80 percent of the female population in Africa.

As part of the grant, SRI International researchers will develop and test a prototype bioadhesive formulation for sustained delivery of the antiviral drugs tenofovir and acyclovir to the vaginal surface. Because chronic HSV-2 infections have been shown to speed the progression of immunodeficiency disease, researchers are focused on developing a microbicide that prevents both HIV and HSV-2 infections.

“The inexpensive and easy-to-use combination therapy in development could help contain the spread of HIV and HSV, and possibly other sexually transmitted diseases,” said Gita Shankar, Ph.D., director of Formulations R&D, SRI Biosciences. “One of the strongest benefits of a topical gel formula is that it can offer protection when options such as condoms are unavailable or unacceptable.”

The awarded grant is for two years with a possible extension of three additional years. Development work will focus on creating a combination therapy that will limit the risk of drug resistance, while providing women with safe and sustained drug delivery. The novel product will be based on a patented bioadhesive polymeric platform developed at SRI.

SRI’s Biosciences division carries out basic research, drug discovery, and drug development, and provides contract (CRO) services. SRI has all of the resources necessary to take R&D from “Idea to IND” — from initial discovery to the start of human clinical trials—and specializes in cancer, immunology and inflammation, infectious disease, and neuroscience.

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Washington, U.S.A. — The Catholic HIV/AIDS Network (CHAN), Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA), Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Caritas Internationalis, the Catholic Medical Mission Board, and the Office of African American Affairs of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), will convene a Catholic Pre-Conference on HIV and AIDS at the Catholic University of America on July 21st and 22nd.

This event immediately precedes the International AIDS Conference, July 22nd – 27th, in Washington, DC. People engaged in Catholic Church-related programs responding to HIV in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin and North America are expected to attend.

Participants will discuss findings of a recent survey conducted by CHAN, which assessed the engagement of Catholic organizations in The Global Plan towards Elimination of New HIV Infections in Children by 2015 and Keeping their Mothers Alive. The survey findings will be released at the conference, demonstrating the high level of involvement of Catholic organizations in AIDS reduction and prevention programs and the desire among such organizations to increase contributions to The Global Plan going forward.

“This study demonstrates the strong commitment of Catholic Church-related organizations to defend and protect human life, especially among the most poor and vulnerable, including women and children living with or affected by HIV, ” said Msgr. Robert J. Vitillo, Special Advisor on HIV/AIDS for Caritas Internationalis.

“The Global Plan seeks involvement from religious organizations to encourage early testing and treatment for pregnant women living with HIV and their children. The study findings also indicate challenges that must be confronted by governments and churches alike in efforts to reach the goal of zero new infections among children by 2015 and of keeping HIV+ mothers alive and healthy.”

In June 2011, the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) launched The Global Plan in response to a global increase in cases of perinatal (mother-to-child) transmissions of HIV. Focusing on 22 priority countries, the plan includes a detailed timetable for action at the community, national, regional and global levels.

In addition to discussing new ways of engaging with The Global Plan, Pre-Conference participants will attend a series of interactive workshops and plenary sessions on topics such as: Faith, Spirituality and Pastoral Care in the midst of HIV, Person-Center Responses to the HIV Pandemic, and Different Strategies for Different Cultures.

Image Courtesy of  Catholic Charities USA

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Ottawa, Canada — For the first time ever, the issue of AIDS in Aboriginal populations will be discussed in the main conference program at next week’s international HIV and AIDS conference in Washington D.C. This is thanks in part to efforts of the Canadian Government and the Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network, who have worked together to advance this important issue.

“Including Aboriginal-focused sessions in the AIDS Conference program reinforces our commitment to reduce HIV and AIDS in a population where rates are still far too high,” said Minister Aglukkaq. “I want to congratulate conference organizers for taking this important step.”

“The conference provides a strong platform for HIV and AIDS dialogue and will enable global action and discussion on a range of Aboriginal-related issues,” said Ken Clement, CEO, Canadian Aboriginal AIDS Network. “We appreciate the Minister’s support and leadership in helping raise awareness of these issues.”

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, applauds the organizers of the XIX International AIDS Conference, being held in Washington D.C. next week (July 22 – 27), for ensuring that Aboriginal-focused issues are more prominently featured in this year’s conference program.

The International AIDS Conference is the leading gathering for those working in the field of HIV and AIDS, bringing together over 20,000 delegates representing scientific research, civil society, community, and government from around the world. It provides the opportunity to focus on major issues facing the global response to HIV, to evaluate new scientific developments and knowledge gaps, and to collectively plan a path forward.

The Government of Canada has been an active player in these conferences since their inception in 1985, and will contribute financially to the International AIDS Society to help support the 2012 conference.

Image Courtesy of  Nikola Bilic / Shutterstock.com

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New York, U.S.A. – New research from six countries found that stop-and-search practices by the police are making sex workers less likely to carry condoms, said the Open Society Foundations.

The report, Criminalizing Condoms, surveyed sex workers in Kenya, Namibia, Russia, South Africa, the United States, and Zimbabwe and found that police practices made it more likely that sex workers would have unprotected sex with their clients.

The law enforcement practices documented in the report fly in the face of government programs aimed at preventing the spread of HIV.

“While one arm of government works to get condoms into people’s hands, another is taking them away,” said Heather Doyle, Director of the Sexual Health and Rights Project at the Open Society Foundations.

More than 40 percent of sex workers surveyed reported that police had taken condoms from them; in Russia, that figure rose to 80 percent. In some locations sex workers reported that police have destroyed condoms with scissors, set them on fire, and even ran over condoms with their vehicles.

These actions have dire consequences for sex workers’ health. In Namibia, 50 percent of sex workers surveyed said police destroyed their condoms and 75 percent of those who then did sex work had unprotected sex. Fifty-two percent of survey participants in the United States said they sometimes opted not to carry condoms because of stop-and-search practices.

Police also use condom possession to justify detaining or arresting people on charges related to sex work. The criminalization of sex work and use of condoms as evidence make sex workers particularly vulnerable to police abuse. The report found that police in all six countries harass and physically and sexually abuse sex workers who carry condoms. Arrest on the grounds of condom possession is used to extort and exploit sex workers.

“Again and again sex workers have told us that they are afraid to carry condoms because they worry it will mean being harassed or arrested by police,” said Doyle. “The police are punishing people for doing the right thing, for carrying condoms and trying to protect their health.”

At the 19th International AIDS Conference, held on July 22-27 in Washington, D.C., the Open Society Foundations, Human Rights Watch, and sex worker rights groups will raise the issue of condom confiscation with delegates and call on health professionals, scientists, and policymakers to support decriminalization of sex work and an end to confiscation of condoms by police.

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Halifax, U.S.A. — Under a US Army contract valued at USD$4.2 million, MedMira will develop and commercialize this multiple rapid test which detects HIV, Hepatitis B and C simultaneously in 3 minutes from a single drop of blood.

MedMira Inc., a developer of rapid diagnostic technology and solutions, announced today that it has been awarded a U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity (USAMRAA) contract to develop and commercialize a rapid test capable of simultaneous detection of HIV and Hepatitis B and C.

The contract, awarded through a competitive bid process, involves a two-year base period and a 10-month option with a value of USD$4,266,144, if all options are exercised. MedMira presented its technology and multiple rapid tests, which met the U.S. Army’s advanced technology readiness level requirements. The Multiplo Rapid HBV/HIV/HCV Antibody Test resulting from this contract award will be deployed on the frontlines of military healthcare for use in emergency screening for transfusion transmitted diseases where no FDA approved donor screening tests are available. The military could also put the test to use during pre and post deployment screenings and civilian disaster relief efforts.

“We are thrilled to receive this new contract from USAMRAA for the development and commercialization of our Multiplo test. This contract award demonstrates the excellent fit between MedMira’s technology and products and military requirements. We have built a lasting relationship with the U.S. Army, delivering advanced diagnostic solutions that reduce the need for militaries to undertake ground-up development work,” said Hermes Chan, CEO, MedMira Inc. “MedMira’s technology and products are elegantly simple, portable, fast, and high quality. All of these attributes are mission critical in deploying diagnostic healthcare solutions on the frontlines of military healthcare.”

Chan continued, “Our team recently attended a conference focused on military pre-hospital trauma management where we heard first hand of the need for a multiple rapid HBV/HIV/HCV test from many of the leading experts, military personnel, and medical professionals in this field.”

Under contract number W81XWH-12-C-0151 the U.S. Army will fund all development costs and associated fees in obtaining a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) premarket approval (PMA) for this multiple rapid test. The scope of work under this contract will see MedMira advance and fully commercialize a multiple rapid test that will simultaneously detect three of the most serious infectious diseases, namely HIV-1/2, Hepatitis B, and C antibodies within three minutes using just a small drop of blood. Once approved, the product will be supplied by MedMira directly to the U.S. Army and to other customers throughout the world, both military and civilian, via the Company’s distribution network.

“A multiplexed test for transfusion transmitted diseases provides an enabling technology that will be used to mitigate risk in austere environments where emergency blood collections are necessary to save lives of severely wounded war fighters,” said Colonel Richard Gonzales, Product Manager, U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity.

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Shane Levene is a writer, artist, musician, poet. He is, some might argue, a better poet than a musician, a better artist than a poet and a better writer than an artist. However, the role that Shane Levene inhabits most fully is, undoubtedly, that of a semi-functional heroin addict.

The entries in Levene’s blog, “Memoires of a Heroinhead,” are not all about the drug. To be sure, the author often evokes a typical, if uncompromisingly realistic “Trainspotting”-esque literary snapshot– a low-rent French apartment, whitewashed walls decorated with grotesque patterns of dried blood, a man-sized receptacle for used syringes and burnt papers– but he writes about other things too: a future and a past without heroin.

The loosely organized memories, such as they may be, brings forth the most haunting pictures of the author’s life as it is, as it was and, occasionally, as it might be. The son of working class, northern English addicts– one of whom was butchered by notorious serial killer Dennis Nilsen– Levene’s childhood appears to have been almost entirely misspent. Stories of teenage youths dressing up in drag to visit Glam clubs in Soho pepper the blog’s homepage, living side by side with recounted memories of domestic abuse, murder and soul-crushing poverty.

A consummate story teller, Levene is at times brutal and jarring, at others wistful and romantic. The kind of autobiographical self-reflection, typical to the memoir genre, that usually adulterates the graphic immediacy of the narrator’s experiences, is noticeably lacking in these vignettes. Granted, some posts are significantly better than others; Levene’s writing is inconsistent and occasionally contrived. But, particularly in the case of Levene’s most recent offerings, oftentimes they are vividly beautiful and utterly beguiling. Not to mention very, very sad.

In one particularly upsetting post, the raconteur relates how some of his closest friends deliberately attempted to infect him with HIV through shared needles. In another account, Levene poignantly describes an incident in which he overhears a young girl being beaten to death in the apartment above his, but is unable to call the police for fear of them discovering his drug paraphernalia.

The rest of the blog, the parts that aren’t directly about the drugs, is filtered through the creative lens of someone who, honestly and truly, has come to terms with the fact that they are going to die– not in 30 years, but maybe next year, next month, next week, today.

Levene’s portrait of his life as an addict is bleak, his experiences routinely horrific and far removed from the world of the non-junky. Just like Christiane F. before him, Levene faithfully chronicles some of the most harrowing physical and mental consequences of his addiction.

Levene writes, “I choose the needle. We must live and die by our swords. We cannot blame our enemy for us taking up arms. That is a bitter and all consuming road to take.”

It is this stark perspective that defines Levene’s literary persona in his memoirs. Essentially, on the page, a heroin addict is who Levene is, and, as things stand, it appears that Levene’s addiction is also inherent to all he can be. Indeed, as another literary heroinhead, William S. Burroughs once wrote: “Junk is not a kick. It is a way of life.”

Image Courtesy of  Stuart Monk / Shutterstock.com

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New Dehli, India – In a national event organized by Pehchan, Hijras highlight discrimination and demand equality for their community.

Stakeholders from government, media, policy bodies, the transgender and hijra community, and civil society came together on June 2nd for the first National Hijra Habba. The event was organized by Pehchan, a five-year program that strengthens and builds the capacity of 200 community-based organizations in 17 states to advance HIV prevention. The national consultation discussed efforts to achieve equality for transgenders and hijras and drew attention to the significant challenges faced by these communities.

Addressing the event, Gauri Sawant, General Secretary, Transgender and Hijra Welfare Board, Maharashtra, said, “In India, cases of violence go unreported as the present social and legal environment is oppressive towards transgender persons and hijras. Due to their different gender identity, they are denied opportunities to earn a living, to study, and to access health services. Even changing their names and sex in official documents is not easy.”

Pehchan collaborates with India’s National AIDS Control Program and would reach 453,750 MSM (males who have sex with males), transgenders and hijras by 2015 and is the Global Fund’s largest single-country grant to date focused on the HIV response for vulnerable sexual minorities.

Held at Vishwa Yuvak Kendra in New Delhi, the Hijra Habba included speeches, experience sharing and community performances by leaders from transgender and hijra community. In-depth discussions were held on issues including social entitlements, legal status, violence, economic vulnerabilities, and feminization.

At the heart of the event was the development of an action plan for advocacy for the next three years on priority issues for these communities. Ms. Aradhana Johri, Additional Secretary, National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), affirmed the importance of these populations to the national HIV prevention strategy and acknowledged the need for continued effort to control the epidemic among transgenders and hijras.

According to James Robertson, Country Director, India HIV/AIDS Alliance, “India has been a global leader in defining an effective HIV prevention response for transgenders and hijras. The world has much to learn from this example. While progress has been made, the journey towards equality for transgenders and hijras is not yet over.”

The India HIV/AIDS Alliance (Alliance India) is a partnership that brings together organizations and communities to support a sustained response to HIV in India. Complementing the national program in India, it works through capacity building, knowledge sharing, technical support and advocacy. Through a network of partners, Alliance India supports the delivery of community-based HIV programs to key groups affected by the epidemic.

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Lesotho held its closest general elections last Sunday May 26, 2012. The current Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili won the election for the fourth time and his party also took 41 seats in the National Assembly.

Mosisili’s party, The Democratic Congress, holds the simple majority to needed to run the government. The leading opposition party, All Basotho Convention, won 26 seats in the lower house although Thomas Thabane lost the election for Prime Minister.

The Lesotho Congress for Democracy gained 12 seats while the final opposition party won the last seat. The Lesotho Congress for Democracy is Mosisili’s former party and under which he won the 1998, 2002, and 2007 elections. The Democratic Congress, Lesotho Congress for Democracy, and All Basotho Convention originally came from the same party which means that they do not have significantly different positions from each other.

Lesotho, “the world’s highest country”, is a constitutional monarchy with a bicameral legislature, but only the lower house, the National Assembly, is elected; the Senate, the upper-house, is appointed.

All of the parties are trying to address the greatest issues at stake in the country. Currently poverty and lack of employment are the greatest threats.

Mosisili has been blamed for not emphasizing the development of mining in the country, one of its main resources, but these economic problems are further exacerbated by Chinese immigrants and South Africa. Lesotho is surrounded by South Africa and Lesotho’s economy is dependent on South Africa hiring its people. However, with the decline in the global economy fewer Basotho (people of Lesotho) are being hired.

Lesotho also has a high rate of Chinese immigration. Many of the Chinese are creating businesses that are causing the local Basotho businesses to fail. This situation is creating a lot of tension between the Basotho community and the Chinese community in Lesotho. Only the All Basotho Convention has addressed this tension in its platforms which makes them somewhat unique in the country.

Another problem in the country that all of the parties are trying to address is the AIDS epidemic, specifically that over a quarter of the population is HIV positive. Additionally educational reforms need to be enacted and more schools are needed across the country.

According to the BBC, Tom Thabane, the head of the All Basotho party and former prime minister candidate, has formed a coalition of the All Bastho Convention, the Lesotho Congress of Democracy, and two smaller parties to create a greater majority than the Democratic Congress’s. According to Thabane, “We have gone way below what we were a few years ago, and that’s inexplicable…we put power in the hands of the wrong people and we are taking it away from them.”

In 1998 the elections, when Mosisili took power, were full of strife and coups. The end to this political instability came when the South African military intervened and started Lesotho on a path to democracy. Even though this election was a controversial one it has been reported as peaceful and credible according to allAfrica.com.

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At 9.30pm on May 19, the opening of the Life Ball 2012 took place, accompanied by loud electronic and pop music, resonating between the Vienna City Hall (Wien Rathaus) and the Vienna Burg Theater (Wien Burgtheater), where the red carpet, or as the ball coordinator would call it – the Magenta Carpet, was laid to receive the guests of the ball.

The audience, along the sides of the Magenta Carpet, was obviously delighted to see all national and international politicians and celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Milla Jovovich and Antonio Banderas. The more guests appeared, the higher the cheering was from the audience which went along with the guests from the Magenta Capet to Red Ribbon catwalk situated in front of the stage. The style of ball guests was both elegant and fascinating, starting with suits through to revealing outfits and colorful elaborations of body painting.

The 20th anniversary of Life Ball was host by Nicholas Ofczarek and Ben Becker, both famous actors from Austria. Starting with a short scene of the theater play ‘Everyman’, they introduced their message to the audience: the AIDS epidemic should be taken seriously by all of us, especially in the Third World.

This message was also underlined in the speech of the former US President Bill Clinton who was representing his organization Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) at Life Ball. He said that, in order to stop AIDS epidemic,“We have to train people, educate models and built system.” A part of the collected funds from the Ball will be given to Clinton’s organization; he is hoping to reduce the number of HIV-infected babies in Uganda and Sambia.

Naomi Cambell and Antonio Banderas rewarded the organization Operation Bobbi Bear with the “Crystal of Hope” which included prize money of 100 000 euros. Jackie Branfield, the founder of the organization, has been devoting her life to helping raped and HIV- infected kids in the South African province Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Milla Jovovich, the ambassador of the American Foundation for Aids Research expressed her excitement of being at Life Ball to the audience, “This is one of the best events.” In her speech, she emphasized the importance of taking action against the spreading of AIDS and praised the effort Life Ball has made till now, “You all should be pround!” Apart from a few welcoming words by the Mayor of Vienna Michael Häupl, there was little presence of Austrian politicians on stage.

Gery Ketzler, the founder of the Life Ball, thanked the audience, all the sponsors and especially the city of Vienna for allowing them to use the whole City Hall. He said, “It has been a long journey. AIDS not only hurts the body but the soul.” He continued that AIDS also stigmatizes the affected minorities. With all his effort for Life Ball, he hopes to raise public awareness for HIV and AIDS.

The spectacular fire show was among this year’s highlights, dedicated to the anniversary’s motto “Fight the Flames of Ignorance”. The dominant color red has been a tradition of the Life Ball and was generously used in all imaginable combinations and forms. This year’s fashion show was hosted by VOGUE Italia, giving a retrospective fashion show on the Red Ribbon catwalk in front of the Vienna City Hall.

The fashion show presented remarkable looks from the last two decades by top models such as Karolina Kurkova, Eva Padberg und Tatjana Patitz. The stuntwoman Miriam Höller surprised the audience with the burning Victoria’s Secret wings.

In 1993, when Life Ball took place for the first time, it only sold 150 tickets. Twenty years later, at this anniversary, there were 95 000 candidates from 73 countries wanting to buy 3780 available tickets.

Every year, there are around 500 national and international media representatives at the event. Last year, Life Ball collected two million euros for AIDS projects. The numbers show how successful Life Ball has been, whether as a charity event or as symbol of acceptance, solidarity, tolerance, and an important voice of and for the affected minority.

Image Courtesy Life Ball ©
Photo Credit : Andreas TISCHLER

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Zambia is a country found in the southern region of Africa and has a population of about 13 million people .The change of government in Zambia last year has changed many things, including the way the news is reported.

At the beginning of the year the media opened up many issues that were not publicly discussed previously and one of these includes the issue of gender violence and child sexual abuse, legally defined in Zambia as Child defilement. These issues are frightening to most parents because they are no longer comfortable to leave their children, especially their girl children, alone with any male relative or stranger, as is the custom with most Zambian families.

More and more cases of child defilement have been reported by the local media, with shocking reports of adult men raping children as young as one month old. Offences of defilement have continued to rank amongst the highest; numbers of those reported are very across the country.

This has prompted the Zambian government and ordinary citizens to demand stiffer punishment for culprits. Current punishments for perpetrators of child defilement includes jail sentences of a minimum of 9 years, but this has not deterred the rising cases of defilement, prompting calls for even more hefty prison sentences, hence the need to increase the sentence to 15 years.

However, for many parents their greatest fear is their children’s risk of contracting HIV should they fall victim of being raped. A common belief among some people suffering from HIV/AIDS is that if they have sex with a minor, then they will be cured of HIV. Most children who are sexually abused, later on test positive to HIV. This phenomenon is a destruction of the future generation, even though every adult has the responsibility to protect it. Nevertheless morals have fallen so much that children are not given a chance.

Stakeholders such as churches, and community workers have been lobbying the Ministry of Education to introduce child defilement education in the school syllabus so that children are aware of the danger of child rape and when children are victims they can seek help from social welfare for those who are not in school and to the teachers and counselors for those who are in schools. This education will help children to know when it is wrong.

The children who have been defiled are abused by close members of the child’s family such as uncles, cousins or grandfathers, and in some cases by their own biological fathers or step fathers. According to Save the Children, Cage the Rapists Posted by AllAfrica on January 11, 2012 we are told that civil society, the Church and all activists should lobby authorities so that appropriate remedies could be considered to deal with what can only be described as an epidemic of dangerous proportions.

Image Courtesy of   Espen Faugstad

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A Chinese proverb says: “A journey of thousand miles begins with a single step.” The Austrian Gery Keszler took his first step in his fight against AIDS in 1993, by founding the Life Ball for the first time. In those days, public awareness and financial support for AIDS were still in their infancy. Now, 20 years later, Life Ball has become one of the most prominent and biggest AIDS charity events in the world. On May 19th, Life Ball is embracing its 20^th anniversary in Vienna, expecting international guest stars and politicians, such as Milla Jovovich and Bill Clinton.

Life Ball is organized by the non-profit organization AIDS LIFE, whose founders were Gery Keszler and Dr. Torgom Petrosian. Since 1993, the organization has been dedicated to supporting national and international non-profit organizations dealing with AIDS issues, such as the Clinton Foundation. Its chairman, Bill Clinton, is representing the Gala concert “Red Ribbon Celebration Concert – United in Difference” at the Vienna Burgtheater. With the collected funds, Clinton is hoping to reduce the number of HIV-infected babies in Uganda and Sambia.

Auctions, events and speeches are generated at Life Ball every year, hoping to reach a high amount of donations, and moreover, to emphasize social responsibility and raise awareness in the public for those who are affected by AIDS. Life Ball has already become a symbol of acceptance, solidarity and tolerance, and an important voice of and for the affected minority. “HIV and AIDS can affect everybody regardless of gender, age, social status or sexual orientation. This is the reason why it is of the utmost importance to continue fighting the virus.” – Life Ball’s vision and mission

Every year, before the official opening ceremony in front of the Vienna City Hall, the traditional event’s fashion show takes place, making room for famous fashion designers presenting their inspiration from topics of Life Ball. This year, the editor-in-chief of Italian Vogue, Franca Sozzani, will be the patron of “VOGUE Italia hosts the 20th Anniversary Life Ball Fashion Show presented by MINI.” A retrospective fashion show is being expected on the Red Ribbon catwalk in front of the Vienna City Hall, presenting the most remarkable looks from the last two decades.

Last year, Life Ball managed to collect around two million euros for AIDS projects around the world. With its combination of charming Viennese ball tradition and a  modern, extravagant and provocative brand, Life Ball is yet again on its way to realize its mission and vision.

Image Courtesy of   Life Ball

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The fourth annual GYT: Get Yourself Tested campaign kicks off National STD Awareness Month (April) with new initiatives on-air, online, and on the ground at college campuses and in more than 5,000 health centers across the nation.

GYT is an ongoing national campaign launched in 2009 as an extension of a longstanding public information partnership between MTV and the Kaiser Family Foundation to address the high rates of STDs among those under 25.

It is supported by a broad range of organizations including the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Planned Parenthood Federation of America, which reinforce the on-air campaign with on-the-ground promotions conducted with health centers and community organizations across the nation.

“MTV has made a sustained commitment to challenging the stigma that prevents countless young people from getting tested for STDs and HIV,” said Jason Rzepka, Vice President of MTV Public Affairs. “We’re proud that GYT has helped drive notable increases in STD testing, but there’s no finish line in this race, and we will continue to do all we can to help our audience make responsible decisions about their sexual health.”

GYT is a youthful, empowering campaign aimed at reducing the spread of STDs among young people through information; open communication with partners, health care providers, and peers; and testing and treatment as needed. GYT offers a short-hand reference for young people to open up dialogue about STDs and, in particular, the importance of testing.

According to CDC, young people ages 15-24 represent nearly half of all new STDs occurring in the U.S., while representing just 25 percent of the population.  Rates of chlamydia, a preventable and treatable STD, are particularly high.  Chlamydia often has no symptoms, and when left undiagnosed and untreated can cause serious health consequences, including infertility in women.  As a result, CDC recommends annual screening for all sexually active women aged 25 and younger.

“We’re proud to be a part of GYT because of the positive difference it has made on the lives of so many young Americans,” said Gail Bolan, M.D., director of CDC’s Division of STD Prevention. “The facts are clear – STDs are common, and the life-long impact of an untreated STD is real. But, these don’t have to be accepted parts of life. GYT provides the tools young people need to be proactive about their health.”

GYT public service messages air throughout the year on MTV channels with cross promotions with health centers and community organizations.

Extensive information resources – including a dedicated website (www.gytnow.org), which provides basic information about common STDs, talking tips and a zip code locator to find local testing locations – as well as mobile testing locator, GYTNOW (498669) – provide the audience with more information.  During April, the campaign scales up its presence by introducing new messaging and outreach.  Some elements of this year’s national GYT campaign include:

• “Team GYT” — Celebrities recognizable to the GYT audience help carry the GYT message as part of “Team GYT.”  Coming from an array of backgrounds, these celebrities are hand-picked to offer a sense of inspiration and personal empowerment. This year, the campaign is pleased to welcome Litefoot, a Native American rap artist, actor and entrepreneur.Litefoot, a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, also operates the “Reach the Rez Tour,” an outreach program that promotes positive change among American Indian youth.Litefoot joins the ranks of the existing members of Team GYT including: The Jersey Shore’s Vinny, rap visionary Talib Kweli , celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton , America’s Best Dance Crew’s Jungle Boogie, professional street skateboarder Stevie Williams , head of Thehundreds.com Bobby Hundreds,Paper Twins’ artists Nica and Edgar A. English , aspiring fashion-conscious entrepreneur Allie Bashuk , surf-loving San Franpsycho, San Francisco designer/painter/artist Ube Urban, Levi Maestro of the online show “Maestro Knows,” Buff Monster, designer Han Cholo , and DJ A-Trak. Team GYT will continue to grow throughout the year as new faces are added to the campaign. All will carry the GYT brand out into various aspects of youth culture, encouraging their fans and followers to know their status.
• GYT “Party” — GYT has created a new online interactive video experience to encourage conversations about STDs and testing with partners, peers, and health care providers.  The video, a simulation of a party scene, includes five conversations among couples, peers and friends, about STDs and testing and is found at http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/gyt/talk/party. The GYT Party is filled with talking tips, an interactive quiz, key information for starting a conversation about STDs and testing and other bonus features.
• GYT Nation — GYT is also supported by an extensive on-the-ground outreach effort and is taking GYT to communities across the country. GYT promotional and informational materials, including T-shirts, posters, buttons, brochures, and stickers are being distributed to more than 5,000 health centers and organizations nationwide, including Planned Parenthood’s network of nearly 800 health centers and additional public and private clinics identified by CDC.GYT is also working with state and local health departments the National Coalition of STD Directors, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine and the National Assembly of School-Based Health Centers to provide young people with information about the campaign. And, the American College Health Association (ACHA) works with GYT to distribute materials through college health centers.

“When it comes to STDs, many of those at risk don’t know it or assume they would know if they had one,” said Tina Hoff, Senior Vice President and Director of the Kaiser Family Foundation’s Health Communication & Media Partnerships Program. “Through a combination of on-air, online, and on-the-ground messages, GYT is working to increase knowledge and remove the stigma of STD testing.”

During last year’s GYT campaign, Planned Parenthood health centers tested almost 125,000 men and women in April, and Planned Parenthood affiliates held 240 events with 1,250 youth volunteers, reaching 67,000 people.  Data collected from 10 Planned Parenthood affiliates show that STD testing has increased significantly since the launch of GYT in 2009.

Among the 10 affiliates, there was a 51 percent increase in patients getting tested in April 2011 as compared to the same time in 2008, prior to the launch of the campaign – suggesting that the campaign helped drive an increase in STD tests.

Nationally, Planned Parenthood reported significant increases in the populations most affected by STDs, including African Americans and people living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty level. Data is not available for all 80 PPFA affiliates and more than 1000 clinics, colleges and universities, and other partners that also supported the campaign in 2011.

“At Planned Parenthood, we know that affordable testing and treatment, along with education, are the best ways to ensure that young people stay healthy and safe,” said PPFA President Cecile Richards.

“For almost a century, Planned Parenthood has been providing health care information and resources aimed at preventing STDs, and our doors are open to everyone. Getting tested is simply a basic part of staying healthy, and we’re thrilled that the GYT campaign is getting that message out to teens and young people.”

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Earlier this week a Duke university study concluded that one in four HIV patients were sexually abused as children. Over 600 patients, aged 20-71, were involved in the two-year long study.

The majority of the patients in the study, titled the Coping with HIV/AIDS in the Southeast (Chase), had at one point in their lifetimes been victims of sexual or physical abuse. In addition, fifty percent of the patients were found to have suffered three of more traumatic life experiences, such as sexual or physical abuse, and also domestic violence, the loss of a child, or a loved one’s suicide attempt or completion.

These traumatic experiences, particularly ones in childhood, were also linked to worse health overall among the patients.

By checking and following up on the patients intermittently for a two year period, researchers were able to find links between traumatic experiences, HIV-related behaviors and poorer health conditions.

More traumatic experiences were also linked to patients engaging in unprotected sex, missing proper, antiretroviral medications, trips to the emergency room and hospitalizations. Patients who had been victims of trauma were much more likely to have their health decline or to pass away during the two-year period.

“For whatever outcome we looked at, psychological trauma ended up being a predictor of worse medical outcomes and poorer health-related behaviors,” said lead author Brian Pence, a Duke associate professor of community and family medicine and global health.

Pence went on to say these findings stress the significance of judging a patient’s trauma history when being given HIV care. The results, Pence hopes, can help HIV programs be structured into an environment that advocates safer sex practices, stricter adherence to medicine and better health results for patients receiving aid.

The most surprising part of the study was that the effects of past trauma on recent behavior and health was unable to be explained by normal factors.

“We would expect people with a history of exposure to trauma to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression or other mental health concerns, like drug abuse or poor coping skills, and that these things in turn would more fully explain why they had lower adherence to their medications and worse health,” Pence said.

“But, we found that trauma history was still associated with bad health outcomes independent of mental health status, drug use or coping styles. So we have more to learn about exactly how past traumatic experiences exert influence on behaviors and health outcomes years down the road.”

The study is set to appear in the April 1 edition of the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes (which can be found online here), with a supplementary editorial. The National Institute of Mental Health helped support the study.

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Women for Positive Action has launched a practical and educational tool to empower women living with HIV to deal with the challenges of stigma and discrimination as a way to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) to be celebrated March 8, 2012.

According to research, more than 3,000 women and girls contract HIV each day and the latest global estimate of women living with HIV (WLWH) in 2009 was approximately 17 million. Women make up about 50% of HIV cases and a higher proportion of new diagnoses compared with men. The share of HIV infection among women is increasing in several countries. For instance, young women — aged 15-24years — in sub-Saharan Africa are eight times more likely than men to be diagnosed with HIV.

By developing this tool, Women for Positive Action hopes to enable women access the right support and care to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their families. Designed for use in both the community and clinical settings, the tool will provide examples of the ways in which women living with HIV can be supported to combat stigma and discrimination. Additionally, the tool will discuss disclosure of HIV status and suggest ways to support women who wish to take this step. The tool is available for download at their website.

According to Annette Piech — a member of the German Therapy Activists Network DCAB HIV and the European AIDS Treatment Group — disclosure of HIV status can have positive benefits for an individual, their family and the community by reducing depression and anxiety and encouraging access to HIV support and care services.

“Disclosure is not a decision which should be taken lightly. It is a process which should only be undertaken when the woman feels fully supported and when it becomes appropriate at the various stages of life,” explains Annette Piech.

Each year around the world, International Women’s Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8 to mark the economic, political and social achievements of women. The theme for the 2012 International Women’s Day is ‘Connecting Girls, and Inspiring Futures’.

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The 20th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party hosted by Sir Elton John and David Furnish raised $5.25 million for the fight against HIV/AIDS. The gala, which took place on Sunday, February 26, at West Hollywood Park in Los Angeles, was co-sponsored by Chopard, Neuro, and Wells Fargo; American Airlines serves as the Foundation’s official sponsoring airline.

Attendees included Academy Award winning Best Actor Jean Dujardin, Steven Tyler, Gwen Stefani, with her band No Doubt, Quincy Jones, Heidi Klum, Katy Perry, Kim &Kourtney Kardashian, Aziz Ansari, Anna Paquin & Stephen Moyer, Neil Patrick Harris, Dave Grohl, Smokey Robinson, Matthew Morrison, Chace Crawford, Ian Somerhalder & Nina Dobrev, Adam Lambert, Marisa Miller, Alessandra Ambrosio, Whoopi Goldberg, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Jessica Lowndes, Mischa Barton, Billie Jean King, Brooklyn Decker, Chris Colfer, Colton Haynes, Darren Criss, Dianna Argon & Sebastian Stan, Dita von Teese, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Karolina Kurkova, Kyle MacLachlan, Liam Hemsworth, Lorraine Bracco, Ted Danson & Mary Steenburgen, Mehcad Brooks, Mena Suvari, Michelle Rodriguez, Miley Cyrus, Natasha Henstridge, Natasha Bedingfield, Paul Stanley, Paz Vega, Petra Nemcova, Ryan Kwanten, Joel McHale, Taye Diggs & Idina Menzel, Paul Wesley, Torrey DeVitto, Michael B. Jordan, Rebecca De Costa, Sandra Lee, Kat Graham, Sarah Hyland, Sky Ferreira, Anika Noni Rose, Gina Carano, Kelly Osbourne and Ziyi Zhang.

Guests arrived at the Academy Awards Viewing Party for cocktails followed by a gala dinner and viewing of the 84th Academy Awards® telecast. This year, Chef Cat Cora, the first and only female Iron Chef on The Food Network’s “Iron Chef America,” prepared an exquisite 5-course meal for guests that included sesame encrusted lamb meatballs with harissa yogurt, sauteed sea bass with lemon couscous and piquillo pepper saffron sauce, and chocolate budino with whipped cream and fresh berries.

The dinner was followed by a lively auction. Auction items included a tennis lesson with 10 time Grand Slam Champion Rafael Nadal that sold for $190,000 twice; an in-home cooking class for up to ten people with Chef Cat Cora which sold for $100,000 to Steve Tisch, owner of the NFL champion New York Giants;

The opportunity to join Elton John and David Furnish at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party that sold for $230,000and a surprise auction lot – a bite from “Vampire Diaries” stars Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerholder, set visit to the show and lunch with Elton John and David Furnish went for $80,000. Following the auction, Foster the People took the stage to perform several songs including their hits “Pumped Up Kicks”, “Helena Beat” and “Don’t Stop (Color on the Walls)” much to the crowd’s delight.

The HIV/AIDS virus was first observed by physicians in American patients 30 years ago and while tremendous strides have been made in our understanding of this terrible disease, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done and many challenges to overcome.

Twenty years ago, Sir Elton John pledged to the Hollywood community that he would hold this event every year until a cure for HIV/AIDS had been found.  Today, the Hollywood community is still standing with Sir Elton John, showing their support for the Foundation and this worthy cause.

Follow the Elton John AIDS Foundation on Facebook:  http://apps.facebook.com/causes/5321. And on Twitter @ejaforg.

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/

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The first clinical trial of a new vaccine for visceral leishmaniasis (VL) has been launched by the Infectious Disease Research Institute (IDRI), a Seattle-based nonprofit that develops products to prevent, detect, and treat diseases of poverty. The Phase 1 trial is taking place in Washington State, with a companion Phase 1 trial planned in India, an epicenter of the disease.

Visceral leishmaniasis affects vital organs and bone marrow, destroying white and red blood cells. Because VL attacks the immune system, it has been called the parasitic version of HIV/AIDS.

“Visceral leishmaniasis is a persistent and deadly global health problem,” said Steve Reed, IDRI founder and Chief Scientific Officer, who led the over twenty years of preclinical vaccine work. “Our partnership with India will speed the development of an effective vaccine and accelerate its control.

Leishmaniasis takes several forms, all of which are caused by the Leishmania parasite and transmitted by infected sand flies. VL is most common in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sudan, and Brazil and causes about 500,000 cases and 50,000 deaths each year.  Cutaneous leishmaniasis, the most common form of the disease, causes serious skin lesions and often leaves its victims permanently disfigured.  Leishmaniasis occurs in 88 countries, affecting 12 million people.

While the disease can be treated, current treatments are too expensive, difficult to administer, or toxic for widespread use in poor countries. Drug resistance is also a growing problem, particularly in India. Left untreated, VL has a 90% case fatality, and death can come within two years—much more quickly than AIDS.

Furthermore, scientists warn that the geographical range for leishmaniasis is expanding. Spurred on by global warming, mass migration and rapid urbanization, cases are being reported in previously unaffected areas. Given such challenges, a vaccine is considered essential to control and eliminate the disease.

“With this clinical trial, we hope to launch a new era in the fight against Visceral Leishmaniasis,” said Franco Piazza, Medical Director at IDRI and leader of the vaccine’s clinical development.  “For the first time, an advanced vaccine to prevent this devastating disease is being tested in people.”

The IDRI vaccine, known as LEISH–F3 + GLA-SE, is a highly purified, recombinant vaccine.  It incorporates two fused Leishmania parasite proteins and a powerful adjuvant to stimulate an immune response against the parasite.

The Phase 1 clinical trial will enroll 36 adult volunteers in Washington State.  They will be randomly assigned to receive one of three versions of the vaccine, which differ in the amount of adjuvant included. The trial will evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of each version.

A second Phase 1 trial will take place in India, where IDRI is transferring its vaccine technology to the Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. Last month, Gennova opened a vaccine formulation center that will be producing vaccines for neglected diseases in Pune, India, where the company is based.

In India, VL is known as kala-azar, a Hindi word that means black fever, named after the fever that ravages affected individuals, whose skin becomes dark gray.

“Kala-azar is a significant health problem across northern India and neighboring countries,” said Dr.Sanjay Singh, CEO of Gennova.  “Bringing a vaccine to India will not only end deaths and disease, it will also help many of our poorest citizens to lead more productive lives and move out of poverty.”

Beginning later in 2012, the Indian biotherapeutics and vaccine manufacturer will produce the LEISH-F3 + GLA-SE vaccine.  It will be then tested in healthy Indian adults, in collaboration with the Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India.

“We are very pleased to be working with IDRI on this vaccine, which is critically important to the many people who suffer from this disease in India as well as to the millions of people who are infected around the world,” said Dr. Shyam Sundar, Professor of Medicine at the University’s Institute of Medical Sciences.

Subsequent clinical trials will involve larger numbers of people who are at high risk of developing VL during their daily lives, because they are frequently bitten by sand flies. Only such large trials, conducted in real-life situations of disease exposure, will determine the full effectiveness of the LEISH-F3 + GLA-SE vaccine.

“Vaccines can do what medicines can’t – prevent the disease from even occurring,” said Dr. N. K. Ganguly, a highly distinguished biotechnology professor and advisor in India, and former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi.  “Only with an effective vaccine can we expect to control leishmaniasis in South Asia.”

The Phase 1 clinical trials are being funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which also recently announced a global partnership with the World Health Organization and 13 pharmaceutical companies to control or eliminate 10 neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniasis.

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The Elton John AIDS Foundation (EJAF) has announced over $3.2 million in new grants that will further its mission to assist the most marginalized populations vulnerable to HIV infection. These new awards brought EJAF’s final total grant-making commitments for calendar 2011 to a record $8,316,871, with disbursements totaling $7,006,871 last year.

These grants represent EJAF’s continuing commitment to fund demographics and geographic regions that are seriously impacted by HIV/AIDS and under-served by traditional funders. Grant expenditures totaling $3,221,622 were awarded for 19 new and 29 renewal grants, including:

• health services for Black women, one of the highest HIV-impacted populations in this country;
• innovative programs focused on the health and rights of gay and bisexual men throughout the U.S.;
• programs designed to help people with HIV who are leaving prison to access and stay on treatment and maintain their health as they reintegrate into society;
• small community grants supporting services for gay men throughout Latin America;
• clinical and mental health services for vulnerable populations in the Caribbean; and
• additional funding totaling $1.6 million over two years to support over 50 community organizations providing needle exchange and harm reduction services for injection drug users.

“Through the efforts of hundreds of privately-funded syringe access programs, HIV incidence due to injection drug use in the U.S. has declined from 25% of all infections in 2000 to 9%,” said Executive Director Scott Campbell. “Scaled-up syringe access programming could bring injection-related HIV infections down to zero. Given Congress’ unfortunate reinstatement of the ban on the use of federal funding for syringe exchange programs, EJAF’s increased investments as one of the top three funders in this field are particularly crucial.”

“For twenty years, EJAF has remained consistent in our mission, even as we’ve increased the scope and reach of our grant-making,” added Chairman David Furnish. “Our most recent grants continue this historic focus, dedicating critical funding to the most urgent and under-resourced aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.”

Image Courtesy of   http://www.flickr.com/photos/evarinaldiphotography/

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In an effort to avert a large-scale loss of life due to malnutrition and disease, UNICEF is ramping up its operations in eight countries in the Sahel region of West and Central Africa. An initial $67 million is urgently needed for UNICEF’s relief operations to save children’s lives and prevent a humanitarian disaster from unfolding.

It is estimated that across the region more than one million children will suffer in 2012 from severe acute malnutrition, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment. The period between harvests, also known as the “lean season,” is expected to arrive earlier this year than is typical.

Throughout the Sahel, poor rainfall has exacerbated food insecurity and loss of livestock, increasing malnutrition. The rise in food prices is also affecting the ability of households to buy food and other necessities and increasing the strain on their livelihoods, jeopardizing children’s lives.

“When humanitarian agencies and the international community are able to act in time to prevent disaster, they can save a tremendous number of lives,” said Caryl Stern, President and CEO of the U.S. Fund for UNICEF. “The lessons of the emergency in Somalia and across the Horn of Africa are crystal clear: when the warning signs of a crisis are there, as they are now in the Sahel, we need the resources to respond immediately to prevent death and human suffering. We are determined to avoid a catastrophe for children and their families.”

The Sahel nutrition crisis and UNICEF’s emergency response cover the entire countries of Niger, Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and the northern regions of Cameroon, Nigeria and Senegal. Niger, where an estimated 331,000 children will face severe acute malnutrition this year, is the hardest-hit. UNICEF’s response will focus on the treatment of children with severe acute malnutrition, together with emergency efforts in health, water, sanitation and hygiene, HIV, education, and child protection.

Under-nutrition poses the greatest risk factor for mortality and morbidity among young children, accounting for at least 35 percent of all child deaths per year in the region. While it is crucial to combat malnutrition across the Sahel in order to save lives, an effective response also needs to tackle the underlying and structural causes of malnutrition.

Malnourished children are more likely to fall pretty to infectious disease compared to non-malnourished children, as they have weaker immune functions. In turn, infectious disease lowers a child’s nutritional status, thus spurring a vicious cycle of malnutrition and disease.

Past experience in the region shows that in times of emergency, women and children face multiple protection risks. As population movements increase during the lean season, so does exposure to violence, abuse and neglect.

In addition, as part of their survival strategies, children from vulnerable households may be forced to drop out of school in order to work in agriculture, mining and other economic activities. Boys may be sent to beg in the streets of towns and cities, and girls may get involved in petty trading or domestic work to support their families.

Working in the Sahel for decades, UNICEF increased its delivery of life-saving interventions to more than 700,000 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition across the region last year and mounted a massive response to save lives during the food crises in 2005 and 2010.

Image Courtesy of    http://www.flickr.com/photos/julien_harneis/

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More than 60 Black celebrities have united with Greater Than AIDS to bring attention to the severe and disproportionate epidemic facing Black Americans and reduce the stigma surrounding the disease. Black Americans account for half of the approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in this country today — and 44 percent of new infections — while representing just 12 percent of the population.

Blacks are also more likely to die of AIDS as compared to other racial and ethnic groups. Coinciding with National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (Feb. 7), Greater Than AIDS is debuting new public service ads (PSAs), coordinated social media posts and other messages from popular Black television and film actors, directors, producers, and others in Hollywood about the devastating effect of HIV/AIDS in the Black community.

Many of the participating talent spoke about people they knew who are living with or have died from the disease. Participating talent will be supporting the campaign’s themes of unity, hope and empowerment through their own Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms and through personal appearances.

“This is an unprecedented response from the Black Hollywood community to an issue that has touched so many of our lives,” said Phill Wilson, President and CEO, Black AIDS Institute. The Black AIDS Institute is a co-founding partner with the Kaiser Family Foundation of Greater Than AIDS.

“Our voice is one of the most powerful tools we have in combating the ignorance and stigma that still surrounds this disease.” The celebrities featured in this campaign are all members of the Black AIDS Institute’s Black Hollywood Task Force on AIDS, which works to engage the Hollywood community in an effort to fight HIV/AIDS.

“The artists and executives who have joined us in this campaign realize that no matter the celebrity, they are also members of the Black community, and they are trying to do their part.”

“HIV/AIDS is a deeply personal issue for many Black Americans, yet the issue is too often silent in many communities,” said Tina Hoff, Senior Vice President and Director, Health Communication and Media Partnerships, Kaiser Family Foundation.

According to a national survey by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than 60 percent — three in five — Black Americans know someone living with HIV/AIDS or who has died from the disease; for most, a family member or close friend.

The Kaiser Family Foundation and the Black AIDS Institute are executive producers.  Linda Jones of The Mass Appeal produced, and Vanessa Williams (SOUL FOOD) with Quincy LeNear and Deondray Gossett (THE DL CHRONICLES, THE VOICE) directed.

Black Hollywood Task Force GREATER THAN AIDS PARTICIPATING TALENT:

• Laila Ali, professional athlete/actress/spokesperson
• Tatyana Ali, actress (THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR/NBC, LOVE THAT GIRL!/TV ONE)
• Anthony Anderson, actor (LAW & ORDER/NBC, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW/FOX, K-VILLE/FOX, THE SHIELD/FX NETWORK, THE DEPARTED, TRANSFORMERS)
• Robb Armstrong, nationally syndicated cartoonist  (JUMPSTART)
• Essence Atkins, actress (ARE WE THERE YET/TBS, HALF AND HALF/UPN, SMART GUY/THE WB)
• Rochelle Aytes, actress (THE FORGOTTEN/ABC)
• Obba Babatunde, actor (PRIVATE PRACTICE/ABC,  HALF & HALF/UPN)
• Alimi Ballard, actor (NCIS/CBS, NUMB3RS/CBS)
• Denise Boutte, actress (MEET THE BROWNS/TBS, WHY DID I GET MARRIED)
• RaVaughn Brown, singer/actress (COLUMBIA RECORDS)
• Rhyon Brown, actress (LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY)
• Yvette Nicole Brown, actress, (COMMUNITY/NBC)
• Anthony Burrell, actor (THE SKINNY)
• Tracy “Twinkie” Byrd, casting director (SPARKLE, JUMPING THE BROOM, NOTORIOUS, STOMP THE YARD 1 & 2)
• Affion Crockett, actor/comedian (IN THE FLOW WITH AFFION CROCKETT/FOX)
• Leah Daniels, casting director (PRECIOUS, LOVE THAT GIRL!, ATL, THE WAYANS BROS, THE PAPERBOY)
• Gary Dourdan, actor (CSI/CBS, JUMPING THE BROOM)
• Bill Duke, filmmaker/director/actor
• Nadine Ellis, actress (LET’S STAY TOGETHER/BET)
• Jennia Fredrique, actress (THE SKINNY)
• Jennifer Freeman, actress (MY WIFE AND KIDS/ABC)
• Jason George, actor (GREY’S ANATOMY/ABC, OFF THE MAP/ABC)
• Lance Gross, actor (TYLER PERRY’S HOUSE OF PAYNE/TBS)
• Dennis Haysbert, actor (24/FOX, THE UNIT/CBS)
• Samuel L. Jackson, actor/producer (JUNGLE FEVER, PULP FICTION, CAPTAIN AMERICA, STAR WARS III, IRON MAN 2, KILL BILL 2, CHANGING LANES, SHAFT, A TIME TO KILL)
• Carlon Jeffery, actor (ANT FARM/DISNEY)
• Jill Marie Jones, actress (GIRLFRIENDS/UPN & THE CW)
• Orlando Jones, actor/comedian (MAD TV/FOX, THE EVIDENCE/ABC)
• Tamala Jones, actress (CASTLE/ABC)
• Kenny Lattimore, award winning musical artist
• Robinne Lee, actress (HOUSE OF PAYNE/TBS, SEVEN POUNDS)
• Nia Long, actress (THIRD WATCH/NBC, THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR/NBC)
• MC Lyte, musical artist (President of the L.A. Chapter of the Grammys Recording Academy)
• Eva Marcille, model/actress (AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL/THE CW, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS/CBS)
• Christopher Massey, actor (ZOEY 101/NICKELODEON)
• Kyle Massey, actor (THAT’S SO RAVEN/DISNEY, CORY IN THE HOUSE/DISNEY, DANCING WITH THE STARS/ABC)
• Dr. Lisa Masterson, M.D., host (THE DOCTORS/CBS)
• Elizabeth Mathis, actress (TRON: LEGACY)
• Rashad McCants, NBA player
• Nicki Micheaux, actress (LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY)
• Tia Mowry, actress (THE GAME/BET)
• Naturi Naughton, actress/musical artist (NOTORIOUS, FAME, 3LW, PLAYBOY CLUB/NBC)
• Michaela Pererira, anchor (KTLA NEWS)
• James Pickens, Jr., actor (GREY’S ANATOMY/ABC)
• Isa Rahman, actor/model
• Gina Ravera, actress (THE CLOSER/TNT)
• REBORN, gospel hip hop artist
• Robi Reed, Vice President of Talent and Casting (BET)
• Dominique Reighard, model (AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL/THE CW)
• Shaun Robinson, ACCESS HOLLYWOOD
• J Rome, musical artist (COLUMBIA RECORDS)
• B. SCOTT, celebrity online blogger
• Tasha Smith, actress (TYLER PERRY’S FOR BETTER OR WORSE/TBS)
• Jurnee Smollett, actress (FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS/NBC, THE DEFENDERS/CBS, THE GREAT DEBATERS,  GRIDIRON GANG)
• Jussie Smollett, Actor (THE SKINNY)
• Chelsea Tavares, actress (UNFABULOUS/NICKELODEON, JUST JORDAN/NICKELODEON)
• Tamara Taylor, actress (BONES/FOX)
• Bobb’e J. Thompson, actor (30 ROCK/NBC , TYLER PERRY’S FOR BETTER OR WORSE/TBS, BOBB’E SAYS/CARTOON NETWORK, THAT’S SO RAVEN/DISNEY ROLE MODELS)
• Tammy Townsend, actress (LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY, SHERRI/LIFETIME TV, ROCK ME, BABY/UPN, FAMILY MATTERS)
• Brian White, actor (MEN OF A CERTAIN AGE/TNT, GOOD DEEDS)
• Michael Jai White, actor (TYLER PERRY’S FOR BETTER OR WORSE/TBS)
• Jesse Williams, actor (GREY’S ANATOMY/ABC)
• Oren Williams, actor (REBOUND, COLD CASE/CBS)
• Tyler James Williams, actor (EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS/THE CW)
• Vanessa Williams, director/actress (MELROSE PLACE/FOX, SOUL FOOD/SHOWTIME)
• Zachary Williams, actor (ROMEO!/NICKELODEON , LINCOLN HEIGHTS/ABC FAMILY)
• Zo Williams, radio personality (HOST OF THE VOICE OF REASON/FOXX HOLE SATELLITE RADIO)
• Camille Winbush, actress (SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER/ABC FAMILY, THE BERNIE MAC SHOW/FOX)
• Blake Young-Fountain, actor (THE SKINNY, TWO BROKE GIRLS/CBS)

Greater Than AIDS is an unprecedented collaboration among a broad coalition of public and private sector partners united in response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States, in particular among Black Americans and other disproportionately affected groups.  Through a national media campaign and targeted community outreach, Greater Than AIDS aims to increase knowledge and understanding about HIV/AIDS and confront the stigma surrounding the disease.

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Entertainment mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs is hosting the ‘one’ party that everyone will be vying to attend right after the Grammy’s, Sunday February 12, 2012. This event serves as a charity fundraiser for and will be held on the grounds of the prestigious Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles starting at 8:00PM. The event is produced by iDonate Charity, a Los Angeles based company that coordinates events for charities.

The first ever “Fame at the Mansion” event will be a delightful party, catering to a guest’s every need. Hailed by some as “The World’s most sought after venue and party destination,” the exclusivity and charitable theme of this event make it appealing to guests on several different levels of interest.

Guests will be welcomed with a cocktail reception when they arrive onto the grounds of the Mansion. Attendees will be treated to an open bar and dinner all night long. Entertainment will include a live performance by a Grammy nominated artist (tba), DJ Award, fashion show, and many surprise guest celebrity appearances.

Several Playmates will be on hand to hostess the event and give tours of the grounds of the Playboy Mansion including the Grotto, Game Room, Tennis Courts, Zoo, & Aviary to those special guests that have contributed VIP admission. On music’s biggest night, the biggest stars will be out in force, and a great number of celebrities will join the guest list at Hollywood’s most lavish party!

Angelwish, the beneficiary of the event, is most pleased to be included in the largest event ever offered to help raise funds for their cause. Created in 1999, the organization is dedicated to providing the public with an easy way to grant wishes to millions of children living with chronic illnesses such as Asthma, Diabetes, and HIV/AIDS around the world. The charity works on 6 continents with over 110 Hospitals and Care Centers in the United States and an additional 15 Care Centers in 9 other countries.

In appreciation of his exemplary support to Angelwish and many other charitable organizations in his lifetime, Angelwish will be presenting Hugh Hefner with their “Humanitarian of the Year” award at the event.

Derrick Salters / Shutterstock.com

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Innumerous accounts of discomfort with security of mobile social networks for gay guys, like Grindr, have prompted the makers of Hornet, a brand new, second generation network, to make security and safety front and center of their app design.

This starts but is not limited to the next most important item after use of condoms to control the spread of STD, the knowledge of one’s HIV status and a reminder to frequently re-test, especially if the person is sexually active on gay social mobile networks.

Based on the positive experience of websites in Asia, Hornet is the first to introduce the “Know your Status” KYS campaign to mobile social networks for gay people.  In their profile, positive or recently tested guys will get a special marker, so that users are prompted to enroll in this purely voluntary campaign for a safer environment.  Once a test comes up for renewal, Hornet reminds people to get tested again, or their KYS status lapses to unknown.

Unlike most other gay SNS and Grindr, Hornet uses an HTTPS secure connection and SSL certificates as known from your Online Banking.

In addition, Hornet has integrated innumerous safety and security features into its app.  Unlike most other gay SNS and Grindr, Hornet uses an HTTPS secure connection and SSL certificates as known from your Online Banking.  It also gives users full control over a private portion of their picture uploads, so that broadcasting one’s profile in their neighborhood can be more controlled than an entirely open experience or map-based displays, making them vulnerable to hate crimes.

Within any app system that stores data, there are vulnerabilities, but apps like Grindr can make some easy improvements to move forward with security.  Hornet encourages the entire app community to make improvements and migrate in this direction, so that users can browse in a more secure environment, making our message today about bringing the ease of online dating to more users and sharing the market in a secure way.

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A newly formed entity, The Business Leadership Council for a Generation Born HIV Free, met here January 9 with a delegation of six United States Senators, the US Ambassador to South Africa, a broad array of leading business executives, and South African Government leadership to highlight recent advances fighting AIDS and to pledge a collective determination to end mother-to-child transmission of HIV by the last day of 2015.

“We need the power of the private sector, working together with governments around the world, to get this done in 48 months,” said John Megrue, CEO of Apax Partners US, and Chairman of the Business Leadership Council, a newly-formed group of business leaders that will be launched during the World Economic Forum in Davos later this month. “It is unacceptable that 360,000 children were born with HIV last year around the world.”

Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina led the congressional delegation, and was joined by Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, Sen. Kay Hagen of North Carolina, Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming, Sen. Mike Johanns of Nebraska and Sen. Richard Burr of North Carolina.

In South Africa, the efforts are being led by the Government of South Africa with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and from UNAIDS and from the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the world’s leading financing institution dedicated to supporting large-scale prevention, treatment and care for these three diseases, and other partners.

The Global Fund, which has already committed over US$22 billion worldwide, is a unique public-private partnership in global health that has proven highly effective. ”Thanks to strong government leadership, South Africa has made dramatic strides toward ending mother to child transmission of this virus,” said Mr. Megrue.

“In business, we take deadlines seriously, and work to ensure they are achieved,” said Natie Kirsh, CEO of Jetro. “This effort must be no different, and we as business leaders commit to bringing our expertise and resources to the table in this 48 month race.”

Mr. Kirsh was joined by several of South Africa’s most prominent figures and business leaders, including Executive Mayor Alderman Patricia de Lille, Deputy Minister of Health Gwendolyn Ramakgopa, former President F.W. De Klerk, singer-songwriter and HIV/AIDS-activist Annie Lennox, Bridgette Radebe, founder of Mmakau Mining, Andrea Kerzner, Founder of the Lalela Project, Brian Brink, Medical Director ofAnglo American and Christo Wiese, Chairman of Pepkor & Shoprite SA.

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Reinforcing its commitment to the wellbeing of New York’s Latino community, The Mount Sinai Hospital proudly premieres ¡A tu salud! (www.mountsinai.org/latino), the first ever weekly health and wellness TV series created by Mount Sinai, debuting Saturday, January 7th at 11AM on Telemundo, Channel 47.

The series will re-air Mondays and Tuesdays at 5 am. ¡ A tu salud! spotlights the key health issues plaguing the Latino community and teaches viewers how to overcome illness and take charge of their health through inspirational, informative and uplifting stories.

“Only by giving the knowledge and providing the right tools to our Latino families will we be able to engage and empower Latinos for a healthier tomorrow; and ¡A tu salud! allows us to do just that,” says Wayne Keathley, President and COO of The Mount Sinai Hospital.  “This series was inspired by the three strategic goals that support Mount Sinai’s Latino approach: Educate, Engage and Empower,” concludes Keathley.

¡A tu salud!  stems from Mount Sinai’s continued commitment to expand its outreach to the Hispanic community, which is disproportionately affected by serious diseases and conditions such as diabetes, HIV/AIDS, Cardiovascular and other diseases.

Each episode of ¡A tu salud! will feature the following 5 distinct medical segments:

1) La Consulta, which includes interviews with specialists, patients and other experts;

2)  Caso clinico, in which inspirational human interest stories are told in the voices of real patients and their families;

3) Pregunte al Dr. Guzman , in which the series’ Executive Medical Consultant and a leading cardiologist shares with viewers useful information to improve their health;

4)  Noticias medicas, which features the latest news from the medical field; and

5) Salud a tu alcance , in which  resources, services and tools are provided to viewers.

“As a trusted broadcast partner to the Latino viewers, Telemundo 47 is proud to be a part of this unprecedented initiative to bring quality inspiring, educational and engaging content to the Latino community,” says Carlos Sanchez President and General Manager, Telemundo 47.   ”Mount Sinai’s innovative approach marks a new milestone in our mission to offer Latinos culturally relevant local content that makes a difference in their lives,” concludes Mr. Sanchez.

Mount Sinai will support the series with a comprehensive communications and community outreach plan which includes microsites on Mount Sinai’s and Telemundo websites, radios spots, online banners, print ads and public relations outreach.

To see clips of the first episode go to: http://www.mountsinai.org/about-us/hispanic-initiatives/a-tu-saAlud

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AIDS Services Foundation Orange County (ASF) announced that the Disneyland Resort will once again serve as the venue for AIDS Walk Orange County. The 26th annual walk takes place Sunday, May 6.

Five thousand supporters are expected to attend and enjoy the magical route through Disneyland park, Disney California Adventure park and Downtown Disney. The walk is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. ”ASF is thrilled and humbled to be returning to the Disneyland Resort for AIDS Walk 2012. We received such amazing feedback about the location from last year’s walkers and volunteers.

And the experience for our clients in attendance was emotionally overwhelming,” said Philip Yaeger, executive director of ASF. “One of our clients remarked, while standing among a crowd of thousands on Main Street, USA, at Disneyland, that he now knew he was not alone in his fight against AIDS.”

The Disneyland Resort, which agreed to host the 25th AIDS Walk last year, has been a corporate sponsor of the event since 2000. That support has included Disney VoluntEARS who have participated as walkers and provided volunteer assistance. ”We raised nearly 25 percent more for AIDS Walk in 2011 because the event was held at the Disneyland Resort,” commented Chris Bragg, event organizer and ASF director of events, “We’re certain that the experience for all of our walkers will be even better this year!”

First held in 1987 at Mason Park in Irvine, the walk has taken place in various locations and raised over$14 million in donations to help provide services for people affected by HIV/AIDS in Orange County.  ASF organizes the event with proceeds shared among several nonprofit agencies that provide services to people living in Orange County that are impacted by the disease.

Among the agencies expected to benefit from the 2012 event are: AEGiS; The Center Orange County; Laguna Beach Community Clinic; Mercy House; Orange County Cornerstone Outreach; Public Law Center; Shanti Orange County; Straight Talk Clinic, Inc.; and AIDS Services Foundation Orange County.

ASF is a nonprofit organization founded in 1985.  Annually, the agency assists more than 1,600 men, women and children affected by HIV/AIDS. Among the services ASF provides are food, transportation, housing, emergency financial assistance, mental health counseling, HIV testing, and HIV prevention and education programs.  To learn more about ASF go to www.ocasf.org.  For more information about AIDS Walk visit www.aidswalkorangecounty.org.

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“Progress in preventing HIV in the United States will be set back, while little will be done to provide additional care and treatment to people already living with HIV/AIDS in our country,” said Carl Schmid, Deputy Executive Director of The AIDS Institute, commenting on the final Fiscal Year 2012 spending bill to be voted on by Congress on December 16.

“This is especially disappointing in light of the optimism expressed by national and global leaders just two weeks ago on World AIDS Day,” he continued.

At the insistence of the House of Representatives, the bill would reinstate a federal funding ban of syringe exchange programs, a scientifically proven method to prevent HIV and other blood borne infections, while not increasing drug use. Additionally, the bill would resurrect failed abstinence-only-until-marriage programs, but only at a minimal level of $5 million.

Despite an estimated 50,000 new HIV infections each year and over 240,000 people unaware of their infection, funding for HIV prevention at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would be cut by $10 million. Surprisingly, this cut would be to its school health HIV program. The CDC reports that young people aged 13–29 accounted for 39% of all new HIV infections in 2009.

The bill flat funds the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program except for a $15 million increase, originally proposed by the Senate, for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). The Ryan White Program provides care and treatment to over 550,000 low-income people with HIV/AIDS. According to NASTAD, there are currently 4,155 people in 12 states on ADAP waiting lists and over 445 people in six states who have been disenrolled from the program due to budget constraints and growing enrollment.

On World AIDS Day, President Obama, recognizing the need for additional funding for both care and treatment for low income people with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., announced $50 million in additional funds for the Ryan White Program. As part of that announcement, ADAP would receive an additional $35 million. While it is not known yet how the funds will be distributed, taken together, the $50 million in new ADAP money could eliminate the ADAP wait lists if it is distributed to the wait list states.

“We are extremely grateful to both President Obama and the Congress for continuing to recognize the importance of providing medications to people with HIV/AIDS and the serious funding gap for ADAP,” commented Michael Ruppal, Executive Director of The AIDS Institute. “While it is far from enough to meet the growing need, these increases are a very positive development.”

According to HRSA data, the number of ADAP clients served nationally has grown an astounding 40 percent from FY07-CY10. Under the bill, funding for medical research at the National Institutes of Health would increase by $299 million.

The final bill, which is a product of negotiation between the House and the Senate, is far better than the one introduced earlier this year by House Labor, HHS, Education and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Denny Rehberg.

That bill would have decimated the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program by cutting its budget from $105 million to $20 million, eliminate all Title X spending, and the entire Prevention and Public Health Fund. Additionally it would have prevented implementation of much of the Affordable Care Act. The bill also includes an across the board 0.189 percent cut, meaning all programs are subject to being cut even further

Jose Gil / Shutterstock.com

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Ambassador Michael A. Battle of the United States Mission to the African Union (USAU), was one of the volunteers on Thursday 1st December 2011, to do the HIV screening offered by the African Union (AU) Medical Services Directorate as the AU joins the rest of the International and Continental communities this day, to commemorate the World AIDS Day.

Several free will persons interested to know their status have been going through the Volunteer Counselling and Testing (VCT) services for HIV that started on Monday, 28th November 2011, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, until Friday, 2nd December 2011 at the Headquarters of the AU Commission (AUC), in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The exercise is one of the week-long activities organized by the Department of Social Affairs in collaboration with the Medical Services Directorate of the AU Commission to mark the commemoration of the World Aids Day.

Ambassador Battle was accompanied by his collaborators who witnessed the Volunteer Counselling and Testing provided by the AU Commission’s Medical Services Directorate (AU MSD) everybody.

The Medical team expressed appreciation to the gesture of the Ambassador saying that, the example will send out a very powerful message to encourage the people who are still hesitating to get tested.

“I am extremely proud of the African Union for taking leadership on HIV AIDS Day. AIDS is a disease that affects people all over the world. By accepting the volunteer screening today, I want to show that there is no shame in coming out and being tested and screened. I also want to encourage more people to do the same” Ambassador Battle explained. He advised that, the earlier a person can get tested for HIV, the more easy it is to cure “If we could get more and more people to just come out and have a test it will be better for the entire world”, he underscored.

Ambassador Battle announced that the same screening exercise is done at the US Embassy on the occasion of the World AIDS Day, but he chose to do it at the African Union “to show support and solidarity with the African continent” he emphasized.

Dr. Kilenga Naftal, Consultant and Senior Biologist of the AU MSD, thanked the US Mission and Ambassador Battle for the symbolic and very important gesture. He presented the different services offered by the MSD including medical consultations, paediatric services, scanning for breast cancer, dental and laboratory services. Dr Kilenga also stated that the MSD do not only provide HIV testing but also treatment for HIV/AIDS for more than 10 years.

It is worth recalling that, the AU Volunteer Counselling and Testing Services (VCT) is currently taking place inside an erected tent in front of the Medical Center where medical experts and practitioners are receiving people of all classes and works of life, including AU Staff who are interested to know about their status.

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A ban on donations of blood made by gay men, which was established during the AIDS crisis 25 years ago, is to be dropped by England, Scotland and Wales. Blood banks in England, Scotland and Wales will allow gay men to give blood, beginning November 7. The UK Department of Health made this announcement Thursday.

On their website, UK National Health Services Blood and Transport (NHSBT), included the criterion that must be met in order for a gay man to donate blood. “The change means that in future only men who have had anal or oral sex with another man in the past 12 months, with or without a condom, will be asked not to donate blood.”

This also includes men who have sex with anyone whose been injected with drugs, whose been with a prostitute, or who has had a sexual encounter with a man who has slept with another man. Men whose last sexual contact with another man was more than 12 months ago will now be approved to donate blood.

According to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the ban was put into place in the 1980’s in an effort to avoid the risk of HIV contamination. The new guidelines came after a review conducted by the UK Department of Health reported that “evidence no longer supported the permanent exclusion of men who have had sex with men.

The Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) studied the latest details on relevant sexual contact in relation to the safety of donating blood. The Committee’s review examined the risk of infection being transmitted through blood and the ability to test donated blood for diseases before reaching their conclusion that new guidelines could safety been instituted.

Dr. Lorna Williamson, the Medical and Research Direct of NHS Blood and Transplant, said in a statement that “We welcome this review and its conclusions.  It gives us an opportunity to broaden our donor acceptance on the basis of the latest scientific evidence. “

In 2010, a federal committee recommended maintaining the policy preventing gay men from donating blood in the U.S. Acccording to CNN, this decision provoked “disappointment and anger from gay activist groups.”

“The committee’s decision today not only leaves a discriminatory practice in place, it also puts lives at risk,” said Rea Carey, executive director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, in a statement responding to the 2010 ruling. Meanwhile, some groups continue to use the ban to justify their demonization of gays.

Just a month ago, Bryan Fishcher, Director of Issues Analysis for the American Family Association (AFA), commented about the blood ban on the AFA website. “I think this is one of the reasons where our argument is infallible…is the danger that homosexual contact imposes to human health.

I gave blood here several weeks ago and I was asked three times…have you as a male ever had sex with another male one time since 1977. If I had answered yes, I would not have been able to give blood.

The risk to the nation’s blood supply is so severe that the risk that active homosexuals pose to the nation’s health, to the nation’s blood supply is so severe that if a man has had sex even one solitary time since 1977 – cannot donate blood. That, ladies and gentleman, tells you all you need to know.”

North Ireland is also considering the new policies adopted by England, Scotland, and Wales and the recent findings of the NHSBT. It is expected that North Ireland will make a decision on the guidelines of gay men donating blood soon.

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A recent observation by the Washington Post describes states cutting back on their efforts to provide medicines to patients with HIV.

Around “8,300 people are on waiting lists in 13 states to get antiretroviral and other drugs used to treat HIV and AIDS or the side effects, mental health conditions or opportunistic infections”. Many of these states have changed their eligibility programs by eliminating waiting lists or simply not have a waiting list. Some are also known to have dis-enrolled their patients according to Jeff Graham, executive director of Georgia Equality, an advocacy group on gay issues; whose state currently holds 1,520 patients the second highest number on a waiting list.

A program known as the AIDS drug assistance (ADAPs) pays for HIV medication for low-income patients when they can’t afford the drugs. According to the National Alliance of State and Territorial Aids Directors, these programs cover around 174,000 people. Recently, however, the number of people has been rising after the recession because of unemployment and no insurance coverage. The state, by cutting back to provide drugs, has given these patients no direction. Since the ADAP program is not an entitlement program, it can turn away applicants and put them on a waiting list if the funding is not available.

Many people who do not get into the ADAP programs try getting into other programs that offer drugs donated by pharmaceutical companies. These programs, however, require patients to reapply, and are completely dependent on what donations they receive.

According to the Washington Post, “Florida… has 3,938 people on the ADAP waiting list, the highest number in the country… the state ran out of ADAP money and turned to Welvista, a South Carolina-based non profit pharmaceutical assistance program that is providing medication to HIV patients on ADAP waiting lists in several states”. The company has provided medication to more than half of the people in the Florida ADAP program.

Advocacy groups describe how those with HIV on antiretroviral drugs are able to handle the disease, allowing them to work and keep the costs down for the state.

A research mentioned how people who are immediately put on medication after being diagnosed are less likely to prevent the spread of the disease.

Thomas Decker, a 58-year-old HIV patient in Arlington, who was laid off from his job in September 2009. He bought his insurance through the COBRA program, but then they ran out so he turned to ADAP. Thomas Decker in The Washington Post describes how “It’s such a shock when you have insurance and you pay into everything for so many years and then you are just sort of left out into the open — people really don’t get it.” Decker was kicked out of his state’s ADAP program in January when his health was improving by an increase in his T-cell count. “I was kicked off the program basically because of my health. I always kept my health up,” he said.

Thomas Decker’s story is one of many who have been kicked out of their programs or have not been covered in any way. An economic growth will help facilitate many of these small but important problems the country is constantly facing.

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