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

Rapid Point-of-Care HIV Testing Preferred by Youth 

Youth prefer, accept and receive HIV results more often when offered rapid finger prick or saliva swab tests rather than traditional blood tests according to a study by researchers at St. Michael's Hospital.

Science

Bonding Together to Fight HIV 

Nov. 25, 2013 - A collaborative team led by a Northeastern University professor may have altered the way we look at drug development for HIV by uncovering some unusual properties of a human protein called APOBEC3G (A3G).

Computer Models Predict How Patients Respond to HIV Drug Therapy Without HIV Genotype 

Nov. 25, 2013 - New computer models described today in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy predict how patients whose HIV therapy is failing will respond to any new combination of drugs, without the need for an HIV genotype: a test used in wealthy countries to read the genetic code of the virus and help select drugs to which the virus is sensitive. In fact, the models were significantly more accurate predictors of treatment response than the genotype.

Miscellaneous

deepsouth Explores the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Where It's Most Deadly  

Lisa Biagiotti's documentary delves deep into the south's stark problems, which all grow out of poverty.

Gynecologists Run Afoul of Panel When Patient is Male 

About two months ago, Dr. Elizabeth Stier was shocked to learn that she would lose a vital credential, board certification as a gynecologist, unless she gave up an important part of her medical practice and her research: taking care of men at high risk for anal cancer.

HIV, Parenting Needs to Be Discussed 

Nov. 21, 2013 - A new study, published in the journal AIDS Care, has found that young people who were born HIV positive want to have children, but are concerned about the effect this will have on their relationships, particularly the need to tell partners they are HIV positive.

Health Law is Dividing Republican Governors 

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. - Republicans are planning to use the troubled health law against Democrats in next year's midterm elections, but the Affordable Care Act is increasingly dividing their party, too.

How Will AIDS Be Eradicated? 

In the war on H.I.V., we have seen successes in some African nations and stubborn patterns of new infection in developed nations like the U.S.

Around the world, there are obstacles to prevention and treatment. How will they be overcome?

New Pitch for Health Initiative: Mind Your Mom. Get Insured. 

As the Obama administration's health overhaul sputters in its opening weeks, insurers and advocacy groups are pursuing a new strategy in the quest to get millions of young people to sign up for health insurance: They're appealing to their mothers.

Stress, Isolation Take Toll On Those Under 50 With HIV; Older People Fare Better 

Nov. 21, 2013 - Case Western Reserve University researchers were surprised to learn that people younger than 50 years old with HIV feel more isolated and stressed than older people with the disease. They expected their study to reveal just the opposite.

Tavis Smiley: My Conversation with Phill Wilson, Black AIDS Institute  

As we approach World AIDS Day on December 1, Wilson reminds us that despite scientific breakthroughs, African Americans account for 44 percent of new infections, even though they make up only 14 percent of the population.