News

2009:   Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov

2009

November

Nov. 19 NIDA Stimulus Grant to Assess the Benefits of Counseling with HIV Screening
Researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine and the San Francisco Department of Public Health will determine whether receiving a rapid HIV test and counseling offers healthier outcomes than rapid testing alone, with a $12.3 million grant awarded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Nov. 2 Statement by Secretary Kathleen G. Sebelius on the Repeal of the HIV Entry Ban
A new rule in the Federal Register announces that the United States will drop HIV from the list of diseases barring visitors from entering this country, effective Jan. 1, 2010.

October

Oct. 29 HHS Secretary Sebelius Announces Senate Confirmation of Dr. Regina Benjamin as U.S. Surgeon General
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced today that the United States Senate unanimously confirmed Dr. Regina Benjamin as the nation's Surgeon General.

Oct. 21 HHS to Create a National Resource Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Elders
HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced plans to establish the nation's first national resource center to assist communities across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals.

Oct. 21 New Life-Saver for HIV Patients: Transplants
HIV infection is no longer an automatic reason for denying organ transplantation to patients who are otherwise candidates for the surgery. Since 1989, more than 500 transplants have been performed in patients known to have HIV, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing, the Richmond, Va.-based organization that manages the country's transplant system.

Oct 19: Statement of Administration Policy - S. 1793 — Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009
The Administration strongly supports Senate passage of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009. The Ryan White program provides critical health care and related services to uninsured and underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS. This legislation authorizes appropriations for the program for the next four years.

Oct 16: Texas Orthopaedic Surgeon to Provide Individuals Living with HIV/AIDS Equal Access to Services
An Austin, Texas orthopaedic surgeon has agreed that he and his staff will not deny or withhold medically appropriate treatment from patients solely because they are HIV-positive, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Oct 15: Statement by Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, on National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
"National Latino AIDS Awareness Day is a reminder of HIV and AIDS’ heavy impact on the Latino community. Every nine and a half minutes someone new is infected with HIV, and almost one-fifth of people who are living with HIV and AIDS are Latino." (en Español)

Oct 15: Statement from Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary for Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Regarding National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
“United We Can Stop HIV and Prevent AIDS. Unidos Podemos Detener el VIH y Prevenir el SIDA.” That is the message for the seventh annual National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, which our nation observes today, October 15. This day is an opportunity for us to honor the dedicated family members, neighbors, coworkers, spiritual and community leaders, people living with HIV and AIDS, educators, health care workers, and advocates who want to stop the spread of HIV and to link people living with HIV to treatment and care. We must all work together to tackle the disproportionate impact of HIV and AIDS on Latino communities in the U.S. (en Español)

Oct 14: SAMHSA Awards More Than $8.2 Million in Community Substance Abuse and HIV/AIDS Prevention Grants to Help At-Risk Traditionally Underserved Populations
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) today announced the award of 5 new grants totaling up to $8.2 million for up to the next five years to community-based organizations providing integrated substance abuse and HIV/AIDS prevention services to at-risk, traditionally underserved populations.

Oct 9: Renewed Hope for an HIV Vaccine
Dr. Carl W. Dieffenbach, Ph.D discusses the research found in late September, when the U.S. federal government announced news on HIV vaccine research that sparked interest around the world. A trial called RV144, or the Thai HIV vaccine clinical trial, showed that the experimental vaccine regimen was safe and about 31 percent effective in preventing HIV infection.

Oct 6: FDA Marks 100th HIV/AIDS Drug Authorized for Purchase Under PEPFAR
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) marked the recent approval of the 100th antiretroviral drug in association with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), aimed at the prevention, treatment, and care of people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS worldwide.

Oct 2: FDA Approves New Screening Test for Donor Blood Products and Organs
The U. S. Food and Drug Administration announced approval of the Abbott Prism HIV O Plus assay, as a screening tool designed to detect the presence of certain antibodies to HIV.

September

Sep 25: US House Approves Measure to Extend Ryan White Funding for 30 Days
The continuing resolution passed by the US House on Friday extends funding to the legislative branch for 30 days, and it includes a provision to fund the Ryan White CARE Act.

Sep 25: Statement from Dr. Howard Koh, Assistant Secretary of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Regarding National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
On September 27, our nation will observe National Gay Men’s HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NGMHAAD). This is a day for us to reflect on the devastating impact that HIV and AIDS have had among gay and bisexual men, to recognize that HIV continues to affect this community disproportionately, and to commit to reducing that disparity.

Sep 24: HIV Vaccine Regimen Demonstrates Modest Preventive Effect in Thailand Clinical Study
In an encouraging development, an investigational vaccine regimen has been shown to be well-tolerated and to have a modest effect in preventing HIV infection in a clinical trial involving more than 16,000 adult participants in Thailand. Following a final analysis of the trial data, the Surgeon General of the U.S. Army, the trial sponsor, announced today that the prime-boost investigational vaccine regimen was safe and 31 percent effective in preventing HIV infection.

Sep 23: US Closer to Lifting HIV Travel Ban
A new directive from the Obama administration may indicate that the United States is about to drop the longstanding policy prohibiting foreign nationals with HIV from entering the country.

Sep 18: White House National HIV/AIDS Community Discussion to be Held in Washington D.C.
On Monday, September 21st, the next National HIV/AIDS Community Discussion will be held in Washington, D.C. These Discussions, hosted by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP), offer the public a chance to provide input as the White House works to fulfill the President’s pledge to develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS).

Sep 18: Remarks at Swearing-In Ceremony for Dr. Eric Goosby Global AIDS Coordinator and Ambassador-at-Large
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's remarks at the Swearing-In Ceremony for Dr. Eric Goosby Global AIDS Coordinator and Ambassador-at-Large.

Sep 9: Effect of Antiretroviral Therapy on Risk of Sexual Transmission of HIV Infection and Superinfection
The past decade has seen substantial advances in the development of antiretroviral therapy (ART) - medications used in combination to reduce the replication of HIV virus and treat HIV-infected persons.

Sep 9:  HIV Screening Tests Proposed to Be Added to Medicare's List of Covered Preventive Services
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a new proposal that would cover Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection screening for Medicare beneficiaries who are at increased risk for the infection, including women who are pregnant and Medicare beneficiaries of any age who voluntarily request the service.

Sep 3: HHS soliciting nominations of candidates to be considered for members to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)
The activities of this council are governed by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Management support for the activities of this Council is the responsibility of the OHAP.

Aug 25: The White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) launched a new web site
Visit the new site to learn more about ONAP and to provide feedback about HIV/AIDS issues.

Aug 24: Secretary Sebelius Announces Intent to Appoint Dr. Helene Gayle as Chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA)
Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius announced her intent to appoint Helene Gayle, MD, MPH to serve as the Chair of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. Secretary Sebelius made the announcement in Atlanta at the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference.

Aug 24: US at 'Turning Point' in Fight Against AIDS, says HHS Secretary Sebelius
Speaking to a capacity crowd at the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta on Monday, US Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Kathleen Sebelius said Americans’ attitudes about HIV/AIDS are at a crossroads.

Aug 24: Drug Use and High-Risk Sexual Behaviors Among African-American Men Who Have Sex with Men and Men Who Have Sex with Women
In the current study, the researchers investigated covariates related to risky sexual behaviors among young African-American men at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Aug 23: Magic Johnson Addresses National HIV Prevention Conference
His role as one of the most public faces of HIV has helped prevent others from becoming infected, but the attention has also been a curse, Earvin "Magic" Johnson said Sunday at the opening plenary of the 2009 National HIV Prevention Conference in Atlanta.

Aug 23: CDC Considers Routine Newborn Circumcision To Prevent Spread Of HIV
Public health officials are considering promoting routine circumcision for all baby boys born in the United States to reduce the spread of H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.

Aug 22: President MMWR: Use of Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccine
This report provides recommendations by CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) regarding the use of vaccine against infection with novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.

Aug 21: President Obama Announces National HIV/AIDS Community Discussions
President Obama today announced the launch of the National HIV/AIDS Community Discussions, a series of events to be held across the country. These events, hosted by the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) will offer the public a chance to provide input as the White House works to fulfill the President’s pledge to develop a National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS).

Aug 21: National HIV Prevention Conference To Convene In Atlanta
The National HIV Prevention Conference will take place Aug. 23 to Aug. 26 in Atlanta and will feature discussions, a town hall, seminars and speeches that address HIV prevention including some focused on the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community.

Aug 20: CDC Report Shows 10 Percent Drop In Overall HIV-Related Death Rate In 2007
In 2007, there was a 10 percent drop in the overall HIV-related death rate, the biggest one year decline in HIV-related mortality since 1998.

Aug 17: Informed Consent for HIV Testing: Regulatory Change
The long-standing requirement that informed consent for HIV testing be obtained in writing has been repealed, effective August 17, 2009.

Aug 13: FDA Regulations To Improve Access To Investigational Drugs For People With HIV/AIDS, Other Illnesses
The FDA posted on its Web site new regulations designed to provide broader access to experimental drugs for seriously ill people who have exhausted all other commercially available treatments.

Aug 6: New Charter and Membership Brings Opportunity for Improved White House Advisory Council
The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) revised its charter and terminated the memberships of all existing members, paving the way for a more diverse organization with the potential to influence the White House.

Aug 2: Scientists Learn Why Even Treated Genital Herpes Sores Boost the Risk of HIV Infection
New research helps explain why infection with herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2), which causes genital herpes, increases the risk for HIV infection even after successful treatment heals the genital skin sores and breaks that often result from HSV-2.

July

Jul 28: Christopher Bates, Director of HHS' Office of HIV/AIDS Policy, Receives Mustard Seed Award for Public-Private Partnership with African-born Americans
Christopher Bates was recognized for his HIV/AIDS work with African-born Americans to develop a healthy and sustainable community at the first Mustard Seed Award Banquet, hosted by the Continental African Community, USA, Inc.

Jul 28: Longitudinal Association of Alcohol Use with HIV Disease Progression and Psychological Health of Women with HIV
The association of alcohol consumption and depression, and their effects on HIV disease progression among women with HIV, were the subjects of the current study.

Jul 27: Correlates of Heterosexual Anal Intercourse Among At-Risk Adolescents and Young Adults
In the current study, the researchers sought to identify factors associated with anal sex among adolescents and young adults.

Jul 24: House Bill Lifts Ban On Needle Exchanges
The House approved a bill that would lift the 21-year ban on using federal money for needle exchange programs, a move that could give the District and other cities more flexibility in their efforts to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS among intravenous drug users.

Jul 23: HUD To Distribute $310M In Housing Assistance Grants For People Living With HIV/AIDS
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on Wednesday announced that it will provide several housing assistance grants to help low-income families living with HIV/AIDS.

Jul 22: Longer, Stronger HIV Drug Regimen For Breastfeeding Women Cuts Mother-To-Child Transmission Rate, Study Finds
HIV infection rates among babies are significantly cut when mothers are given prolonged ARV treatment during breastfeeding according to findings released at the International AIDS Society conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Jul 17: Study: Possible Progress on HIV Eradication
The results of the present study may contribute to the future design of class I HDACIs for treating HIV-1.

Jul 17: Justice Department Releases New Fact Sheet on the Rights of Persons with HIV or AIDS to Obtain Occupational Training and State Licensing
The Justice Department today released a new technical assistance fact sheet on legal requirements relating to admitting individuals with HIV or AIDS to occupational training schools and granting state licensure in occupations such as barbering, massage therapy and home health care assistance.

Jul 16: New rule will let VHA providers obtain verbal rather than written consent for HIV testing, effective 8/17
This document adopts, without change, the proposed rule published in the Federal Register on December 29, 2008, updating informed consent requirements related to testing for the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) for Veterans receiving health care from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Jul 10: FDA Approves Expanded Use Of HIV Drug
Merck on Thursday said U.S. regulators had widened the approved use of its Isentress HIV treatment to include patients who have not yet been treated for infections with the virus that causes AIDS.

Jul 7: TB Vaccine Too Dangerous for Babies with AIDS Virus, Study Says
The World Health Organization is recommending that the Bacille Calmette-Guérin vaccine against tuberculosis be delayed until infants can be tested for HIV.

June

Jun 30: U.S. May Lift Ban on HIV Visitors
The US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is expected to issue a proposal this week to remove HIV from the list of "communicable diseases of public health significance" that preclude entry by foreign nationals.

Jun 26: Commentary: Simple HIV test can save lives -- by Dr. Kevin Fenton
Every nine and a half minutes someone's brother, mother, sister, father, or neighbor becomes infected with HIV in the United States. That's 56,000 people every year. But there's something we can all do to help protect ourselves and our partners from this disease -- get tested for HIV.

June 24: New Global AIDS Chief Goes to Work Immediately
Dr. Eric Goosby wasted no time starting his new job as the U.S. global AIDS coordinator. He flew from the Bay Area to Geneva hours after his confirmation by the Senate and was sworn in when he landed.

June 23: Dr. Eric Goosby Assumes the Role of U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator
In this role, Ambassador Goosby will lead all U.S. Government international HIV/AIDS efforts. Ambassador Goosby will oversee implementation of the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as well as U.S. Government engagement with the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

June 23: Statement of Anthony S. Fauci on National HIV Testing Day
Statement on National HIV Testing Day, June 27, 2009.

June 10: Black Women In Washington, D.C., Have Higher Rate of AIDS Than Other Women, Study Finds
In the District, study found wide gaps between black and white women in the incidence of illnesses such as cancer and HIV and AIDS.

June 9: NIAID Leaders Outline Research Agenda for Universal, Voluntary HIV Testing and Treatment
In the June 10 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association, top HIV/AIDS research leaders at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health, set forth a research agenda to answer questions that may help shape the future of HIV prevention.

June 8: Starting Antiretroviral Therapy Earlier Yields Better Clinical Outcomes: Interim Review Leads to Early End of Clinical Trial in Haiti
A clinical trial has demonstrated that HIV-infected adults in a resource-limited setting are more likely to survive if they start antiretroviral therapy (ART) before their immune systems are severely compromised.

June 4: CDC Warning: Oral Sex Can Transmit HIV, Other STDs
In a fact sheet released June 4, CDC reiterated the risk of contracting HIV and other STDs through oral sex.

June 3: Views: A New Era of Responsibility on HIV/AIDS Issues
Article by Jeff Crowley, MPH, the director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy and Senior Advisor on Disability Policy discusses how his office is coordinating the continuing efforts of the government to reduce the number of HIV infections and provide care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

June 3: AIDS Virus Raises Heart Disease Risk in HIV-Infected People
Infection with the AIDS virus increases the risk of cardiovascular disease as much as well- known culprits such as diabetes or smoking, researchers said.

May

May 29: FDA Grants Tentative Approval
FDA granted tentative approval for generic lamivudine/zidovudine tablets 150 mg/300 mg indicated for treatment for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in patients with or without Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS).

May 26: CDC: Guidance for H1N1 Virus in HIV-Infected Pregnant Women
Pregnancy raises risk for complications related to seasonal as well as pandemic influenza infections such as those caused by the novel influenza A (H1N1) virus.

May 18: HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Statement
NIAID'S Dr. Anthony S. Fauci Issues Statement for HIV Vaccine Awareness Day May 18, 2009.

May 14: HHS to Award $1.79 Billion to Help People Living with HIV/AIDS
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the release of $1.79 billion to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS continue to have access to life-saving health care and medications. The grants are funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which helps more than 529,000 individuals every year obtain the care and services they need to live longer, healthier lives.

April

Apr 26: HHS Declares Public Health Emergency for Swine Flu
The Department of Health and Human Services today issued a nationwide public health emergency declaration in response to recent human infections with a newly discovered swine influenza A (swine flu) virus.

Apr 7: Obama Administration Announces New Campaign to Refocus National Attention on the HIV Crisis in the United States
Every 9 and a half minutes another person in America becomes infected with HIV. Officials from the White House, Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced today a new five-year national communication campaign, Act Against AIDS, which highlights this alarming statistic and aims to combat complacency about the HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States.

March

Mar 16: New Study: HIV/AIDS Rate in Washington, D.C. Hits 3%
A report showing that 3 percent of residents are infected with HIV or AIDS is a wake-up call for the District, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty said today.

Mar 4: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Statement
NIAID'S Dr. Anthony S. Fauci Issues Statement for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day March 10, 2009

February

Feb 26: President's Budget Blueprint Increases Funding to Fight HIV/AIDS
President Obama unveiled a Budget Blueprint that funds critical public health priorities and will help scientists, researchers and communities fight HIV and AIDS. The President's Budget Blueprint is now available.

Feb 20: Important notice for people with impaired immune function about peanut products recalled for Salmonella
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been receiving reports of illnesses caused by a type of Salmonella called Salmonella Typhimurium, which have been traced to certain peanut products.

Feb 18: HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report
From the CDC, new report on Cases of HIV Infection and AIDS in the United States and Dependent Areas, 2007

Feb 12: Updated HIV/AIDS Fact Sheets On Medicaid, Medicare, and Ryan White
New factsheets from the Kaiser Family Foundation.

Feb 10: New Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance Reports, 2007
New Reports issued by the CDC.

Feb 1: New CDC MMWR
Features information on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, February 7, 2009.

January

Jan 24: President Obama rescinds "Mexico City Policy"
Statement released after rescinding of policy.

Jan 23: Impact of Mental Health on Anti-HIV Treatment Adherence
Extensive research has demonstrated that the primary barriers to [antiretroviral therapy (ART)] adherence include mental illness, especially depression and substance abuse, as well as histories of traumatic experiences such as childhood sexual and physical abuse.

Jan 23: Nevirapine Prophylaxis in Newborns May Increase Drug-Resistant HIV
The antiretroviral drug nevirapine may help prevent babies of HIV-positive mothers from getting the virus through breast-feeding, but it also greatly increases the odds of developing drug-resistant HIV if they are infected during the first year of life, a new study finds.

Jan 14: The HIV/AIDS Programs: Find HIV/AIDS Care
New information from the Health Resources and Services Administration on finding HIV/AIDS care, Ryan White Care, as well as resources to learn more about health care.

Jan 13: Annual CDC Report Finds High Burden of Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Especially among Women and Racial Minorities
Reported cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea in the United States exceeded 1.4 million in 2007, according to an annual report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The report, Sexually Transmitted Disease Surveillance, 2007, shows persistent racial disparities across these and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD), and a particularly heavy burden of disease among women.