A cross-section of articles we've read this week about HIV/AIDS, STIs and a wide cross-section of structural and systemic factors impacting HIV/AIDS in Black communities.

Prevention

Risky Sex Among Bisexual African-American Men Reduced by New Intervention 

A culturally tailored HIV prevention program developed and tested by investigators at UCLA and the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science has been shown to significantly reduce unprotected sex among bisexual black men.

Using 'HIV-Negative' as a Substitution for 'Haven't Been Tested' 

A policy analyst for LGBT issues confronts his fears about HIV testing.

Science

Early Temporary ART for HIV-Infected Infants Prevents Damage to Immune System and Delays Need for Life-Long Treatment 

Giving antiretroviral therapy (ART) immediately after diagnosis for a limited period of time is more beneficial than postponing treatment in young infants infected with HIV, slowing progression of the disease and delaying the time to starting long-term ART, according to new research published in The Lancet.

Prevention Strategies the Focus of First Animal Study for Sexual Transmission of HIV 

A new study by researcher Mary Jane Potash and colleagues from St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Columbia University Medical Center in New York, NY, is attempting to understand heterosexual transmission of HIV via vaginal intercourse. Their work was published in Disease Models & Mechanisms.

Treatment

Could 'Triple Whammy' Technique That Beat HIV Win Battle against Cancer 

New gene treatments that attack tumours on multiple fronts can prolong live - but also show cancer cells are more complex than scientists thought.

How Do you Stop a "Silent Epidemic"? 

Baby boomers, African Americans and big news in Hepatitis C.

Miscellaneous

ACT UP Succeeds in Getting Department of Health to Support Anti-HIV Programs 

Last week the Voice reported that ACT UP, one the nation's leading HIV/AIDS activist organizations, was protesting in front of New York's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in Queens over its lousy data collection and even lousier education initiatives about disease treatment. It appears that the protest has had an effect: DOHMH has promised to ramp up its campaign to education people about prevention medications.

Alicia Keys Pushing HIV-AIDS Awareness Back Into U.S. Spotlight 

For the past decade, Alicia Keys has been quietly using her voice to save others, pushing prevention and treatment for HIV, with her organization Keep a Child Alive, in the towns and villages of Africa.

Collins Remains Unsigned 4 Months after Coming Out 

More than four months after he became the first male athlete who actively plays in a major American sports professional league to come out as gay, former Washington Wizards center Jason Collins has yet to sign with another team.

Pat Robertson Says Gay People Spread AIDS on Purpose with Special Rings 

Professional crazy person Pat Robertson still has a television show, but Freaks and Geeks got canned after one season. Sound fair? It isn't but it's the way things work here in the good ol' U.S. of A.

Wal-Mart Extends Health Insurance to Workers' Same-Sex Partners 

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the largest private employer in the country, plans to start offering health coverage next year to domestic partners of full-time employees - including those in same-sex relationships.