CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update (091130)

The CDC National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention provides the following information as a public service only. Providing synopses of key scientific articles and lay media reports on HIV/AIDS, other sexually transmitted diseases and tuberculosis does not constitute CDC endorsement. This daily update also includes information from CDC and other government agencies, such as background on Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) articles, fact sheets, press releases and announcements. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC NCHSTP Daily News Summary should be cited as the source of the information. Copyright © 2009, Information Inc., Bethesda, MD.

NATIONAL NEWS

TENNESSEE: AIDS Patients in State to Wait

Commercial Appeal (Memphis) (11.27.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

As of Nov. 24, 95 Tennesseans living with HIV were on a waiting list for the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program. More people amid the swelling ranks of the unemployed and the uninsured are seeking ADAP's help, officials said. Tennessee joins at least eight other states with ADAP wait lists.

"Medications for the treatment of HIV are not inexpensive, and so for [patients], this is a very big deal," said Dr. Veronica Gunn, chief medical officer for the Tennessee Department of Health.

The state will ask for federal supplementary funds to cope with the strong ADAP demand. However, state officials cannot predict how long it will take before patients on the waiting list receive treatment.

If more funding becomes available or some current clients leave the program, ADAP benefits will be extended to new patients in the order they were placed on the program's wait list. Pregnant women and infants can access temporary emergency services. In the interim, medical care managers are connecting wait-listed patients with charity programs run by AIDS drug manufacturers.

"Most, if not all, pharmaceutical manufacturers have programs that provide medications at greatly reduced costs to individuals who have no other means of receiving medication," Gunn said.

Finding out that one could not access treatment "because you were number 57 in line" would be "devastating," said Kim Daugherty, executive director of the AIDS advocacy group Friends for Life.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

ASIA: HIV Stable in Asia but Rising Among Women, Gay Men

Deutsche Presse-Agentur (11.24.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Asia is generally stabilizing, though the infection rate among women and gay men is rising in some nations, according to the UN's "2009 AIDS Epidemic Update." In the region, women accounted for 35 percent of people living with HIV last year, up from 19 percent in 2000.

"In particular countries, the growth in HIV infections among women has been especially striking," noted the report. In India, women comprised 39 percent of those infected in 2007, and the infection rate also rose sharply in China, the UN reported.

In many countries, male and female sex workers and their clients remain at high risk for HIV/AIDS, and condom use is low despite awareness campaigns, the UN said. In addition, "many low-risk women may be at considerable risk of HIV infection due to the high-risk sexual and drug-using behaviors of their male partners."

Men who have sex with men (MSM) in Asia have nearly a one in five chance of becoming HIV-infected. High prevalence among MSM has been found in Myanmar (29.3 percent), Bangkok (30.7 percent), Chongqing, China (12.5 percent), southern India (7.6- 18.1 percent) and Indonesia (5.2 percent).

While adult HIV prevalence is below 1 percent everywhere in Asia except Thailand, the region also has a low diagnosis rate due in part to discrimination and cultural and legal barriers, the report said. About two-thirds of Chinese with HIV have not sought treatment because of fear, ignorance and discrimination, said Michel Sidibe, executive director of UNAIDS.

"People are hiding themselves," Sidibe said, noting "homophobic laws" in some nations prevent candid HIV awareness among MSM. The epidemic is "steadily expanding into lower-risk populations through transmission to the sexual partners of those most at risk," the report said.

GLOBAL: HIV/AIDS Commitments to Women Often Unmet

Voice of America News (11.23.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

Governments around the world tend to be tightlipped about their progress in addressing the epidemic of HIV/AIDS among women and girls, says a new report from the advocacy organization AIDS Accountability International.

"There is widespread lack of accountability and transparency in national AIDS responses, meaning we do not have the information that we should about human and financial resources and how well countries are meeting their agreed targets for the well-being of women and girls," said Executive Director Rodrigo Garay.

The report seeks to highlight the fact that HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women worldwide in their reproductive years. In addition, the report finds that awareness of how to prevent the transmission of HIV varies widely from nation to nation.

In Eritrea, for example, some 79 percent of females demonstrated adequate knowledge of how to protect themselves against HIV. At the other end of the spectrum, only 29 percent of women and girls in Angola were knowledgeable. Worldwide, the figure was 38 percent. The 2010 target established by the UN is 95 percent.

"I believe this report puts it all into reality and out of the illusion that we've come a long way to be [responsive] to the rights and needs of women," said Norwegian HIV/AIDS Ambassador Sigrun Mogedal. "If any response should be gender sensitive, it is the HIV and AIDS response," she said.

The report was lauded by leaders around the globe. "Very limited progress has been made towards the achievement of the targets. Certainly we are faced with a situation where much, much more needs to be done," said Elizabeth Mataka, the UN's special envoy on AIDS in Africa. To access the full report, visit www.aidsaccountability.org.

MEDICAL NEWS

TAIWAN: Effects of Structural Intervention on Increasing Condom Availability and Reducing Risky Sexual Behaviors in Gay Bathhouse Attendees

AIDS Care Vol. 21; No. 12: P. 1499-1507 (12.01.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

In the current study, researchers sought to evaluate "the effectiveness of a structural intervention in reducing unprotected sexual behaviors, increasing condom accessibility and their relationship to the prevalence of HIV infection and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in gay bathhouse attendees."

The team undertook a quasi-experimental study with a non-equivalent control group for comparison at nine gay bathhouses in Taiwan from 2004 to 2006. Inside one bathhouse in each city, a structural intervention to increase condom distribution and accessibility was implemented. Venue visitors were invited to complete a questionnaire and be screening for HIV and STIs. Study participants numbered 632, of which 270 were surveyed six months after the intervention.

At follow-up, after controlling for baseline data, patrons of intervention bathhouses were more likely to report accessing condoms than were patrons of control bathhouses (92.6 percent vs. 81.3 percent, P=0.016). Condoms were more likely to be available at the reception desk of intervention bathhouses vs. control venues (87.5 percent vs. 69.4 percent, P=0.047).

In multivariate analysis after adjusting for age, access to condoms inside bathhouses (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 4.35; 95 percent confidence interval [CI]: 1.48-12.78) and attendance at intervention bathhouses (AOR: 2.07; 95 percent CI: 1.07-3.97) were independently associated with consistent condom use for anal sex. At six-month follow-up, there were no significant differences in HIV and STI prevalence.

"Bathhouses with structural intervention were associated with consistent condom use during anal intercourse among bathhouse patrons," the authors concluded. "Our findings highlight the importance of extension of condom distribution inside the bathhouses to increase condom use among bathhouse patrons."

LOCAL AND COMMUNITY NEWS

MICHIGAN: Local Nonprofit Looking to Bring Needle Exchange Program to Flint

Flint Journal (11.22.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

"I think it's something that scares people. But the reality is drugs are in our community," Genessee County Health Officer Mark Valacak said.

The effort is spearheaded by Wellness AIDS Services, a 24-year-old Flint nonprofit. Under the proposal, WAS would exchange clean syringes for used equipment and offer referrals to drug rehabilitation programs.

"What we're concerned about is harm reduction to the community and getting people into rehab," WAS interim Executive Director Susan Schneberger said.

The exchange concept also targets hepatitis C. About 33 percent of those tested at WAS are positive for the blood-borne disease, said Donald Slaughter, a community health advocate with the organization.

"I know we're trying to save lives, but aren't we also contributing?" said Council member Jackie Poplar. "Are we making it easier for these people to continue shooting dope?"

Detroit opened Michigan's first exchange program in 1996, reaching out to drug users enrolled in a program offered by the city's Community Health Awareness Group. The proportion of HIV cases attributable to injection drug use dropped from 28 percent before the program to 6 percent of new HIV cases today, said Barbara Jones, director of prevention for the agency.

"We've absolutely seen a decrease in HIV transmission," Jones said. "It's a service that provides direct access for drug treatment. It gets the dirty syringes out of the streets and out of the areas where you live and kids play," Jones said.

NEWS BRIEFS

NEW YORK: World AIDS Day in NYC

Time Out New York (11.26.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

Many events are planned to commemorate World AIDS Day in New York City on Dec. 1. Gay Men's Health Crisis, the Keith Haring Foundation and other sponsors will host the Out of the Darkness Vigil at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church of Manhattan; 164 W. 100th St.; 212-222-7045. The Gay Men's Chorus of Manhattan will perform at the World AIDS Day Interfaith Service at 7 p.m. at St. Augustine Roman Catholic Church, 116 6th Ave., Brooklyn; 718-783-3121. The Episcopal Response to AIDS will hold a candlelight vigil followed by a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. at Christ and Saint Stephen's Church, 120 W. 69th St.; 212-787-2755.

VIRGINIA; DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: World AIDS Day Spotlights Part of Memorial Quilt

Washington Post (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

A 1,200-square-foot section of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view Tuesday at George Mason University in Fairfax County. The day-long World AIDS Day commemoration, part of the school's HIV Awareness Week, will include a speech by internationally known activist Hydeia Broadbent. Thousands are expected to attend the event in Johnson Center, where free HIV testing will be available. Elsewhere in metro Washington, the Whitman-Walker Clinic will hold a candlelight vigil at 5:30 in DuPont Circle. Also, the Metro D.C. LGBT Community Center will host "Our Heroes," an exhibit of 150 photographs of people who have been instrumental in the fight against AIDS.

OHIO: Former Model to Speak Out on AIDS

Akron Beacon Journal (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

Former Playboy centerfold Rebekka Armstrong will speak about her life with HIV at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday at the Main Hall auditorium of Kent State University's Stark campus. "It only takes one time - one of having unprotected sex - to change your life forever," says Armstrong, who contracted HIV through sex as a teenager. "My mission, if you will, is to talk to as many young people as I can. To let them know the realities of HIV and AIDS." On Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free HIV testing will be offered in the library of the university's Jackson Township campus.

CALIFORNIA: Morgan Fairchild to Speak at AIDS Day Event

Desert Sun (Palm Springs) (11.26.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

Actress and AIDS activist Morgan Fairchild will be on hand Tuesday in Palm Springs to help the Desert AIDS Project unveil its new red glass and copper wire AIDS memorial sculpture. The ceremony will take place at 4:30 p.m. at 1695 N. Sunrise Way. There is no charge to attend, but reservations are requested. Telephone 760-323-8112 or visit www.desertaidsproject.org.

NEW JERSEY: The Center in Asbury Park Marking World AIDS Day with Vigil

Asbury Park Press (11.25.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

The Center in Asbury Park and other partners will hold a candlelight walk beginning at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 1. The walk will proceed from 806 3rd Ave. to Trinity Church at Asbury and Grand avenues for a 7:30 p.m. service featuring a performance by the New Jersey Gay Men's Chorus.

MAINE: Belfast Candlelight Vigil in Honor of AIDS Day

Bangor Daily News (11.25.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

On Dec. 1, Camp Chrysalis - a camp for Maine children and families affected by HIV/AIDS - will host a candlelight vigil at 6 p.m. at Post Office Square in Belfast. For information, telephone 207-338-5089.

MISSISSIPPI: World AIDS Day Boosts Awareness

Clarion Ledger (Jackson) (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

Two events are planned to mark World AIDS Day Tuesday in Jackson. An observance called "Working Together" will take place at the Jackson Medical Mall 8:30-10:30 p.m. At 6 p.m., a special service will be held at Anderson United Methodist Church, 6205 Hanging Moss Rd. The Mississippi Mass Choir will perform, and former Surgeon General Dr. Joycelyn Elders will speak. For more information, telephone Brave New Day at 601-713-3999 or the state Department of Health at 601-576-7400.

FLORIDA: Local Events to Observe World AIDS Day

Bradenton Herald (11.30.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

A concert, free HIV testing events and a wellness fair are among activities planned to mark World AIDS Day this week in Manatee and Sarasota counties. For details, visit www.hivsarasota.org or www.manasotaworldaidsday.org.

FLORIDA: World AIDS Day Events Planned for Tuesday

Orlando Sentinel (11.29.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

To commemorate World AIDS Day in Daytona Beach, free HIV testing will be offered Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the county health clinic, 1845 Holsonback Dr. A candlelight vigil followed by an interfaith prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Church, 201 University Blvd.

UTAH: SLC to Mark World AIDS Day

Salt Lake Tribune (11.27.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

At 6 p.m. Tuesday, a ceremony and bell-ringing tribute at City Hall - lit in red for the occasion - will honor those lost to AIDS. Mayor Ralph Becker, the City Council, the Utah AIDS Foundation and the People with AIDS Coalition of Utah will take part.

CALIFORNIA: World AIDS Day

Sacramento Bee (11.30.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

Panels from the National AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on view Tuesday as Sacramento pauses to mark World AIDS Day. The remembrance event begins at 6 p.m. at Tower Theatre, 2508 Land Park Dr.

MISSOURI: County Offering Rapid HIV Testing

Kansas City Star (11.28.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

The Johnson County Health Department will observe World AIDS Day by offering free HIV testing Tuesday from noon to 6 p.m. at its offices, 11875 S. Sunset Dr., Olathe. Results will be available in 20 minutes, and no appointment is necessary. Testing will also be offered in Wyandotte County from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Health Department, 6th Street and Ann Avenue.

CONNECTICUT: City to Observe World AIDS Day

Hartford Courant (11.26.09) - Monday, November 30, 2009

The AIDS Project Hartford, the Institute for Community Research, the Connecticut AIDS Resource Coalition, the city of Hartford, and Latino Community Services will host a World AIDS Day event on Tuesday. The observance - at the Connections Drop-in Center at the Institute for Community Research, 146 Wyllys St. - will begin at 11 a.m. and include a 1 p.m. showing of the documentary "Love in a Time of HIV."

CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update

For Monday, November 30, 2009