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

Double Whammy of Multiple Sex Partners, Drinking in HIV/STI Prevention 

The more you drink and sleep around, the less likely you are to participate in HIV intervention counseling, research shows. Understanding why someone does -- or does not -- enroll in a prevention program is a significant piece of information for public health departments. Yet relatively little is known about what motivates individuals to participate in HIV-prevention programs or whether some audiences are more or less willing to take advantage of the HIV-prevention counseling programs commonly provided at health clinics.

Science

Good Bacteria That Protects Against HIV Identified 

Researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston by growing vaginal skin cells outside the body and studying the way they interact with "good and bad" bacteria, think they may be able to better identify the good bacteria that protect women from HIV infection and other sexually transmitted infections.

HIV and Hepatitis C Vaccines Move a Step Closer with New Technique 

Plans for a new type of DNA vaccine to protect against the deadly HIV and Hepatitis C viruses have taken an important step forward, with University of Adelaide researchers applying for a patent based on groundbreaking new research.

Link Between HIV Infection and Coronary Artery Disease 

Men with long-term HIV infections are at higher risk than uninfected men of developing plaque in their coronary arteries, regardless of their other risk factors for coronary artery disease, according to results of a study led by Johns Hopkins researchers. A report on the research appears in the April 1 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine.

Miscellaneous

AIDS Patients Flock to Obamacare 

Early drug claims suggest exchange plan enrollees are sicker than average, but experts say it's too early to draw conclusions about the impact on premiums.

At 49 Percent Support, Obamacare Hits a High 

Public support for the Affordable Care Act narrowly notched a new high in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll, while criticism of Barack Obama's handling of the law's rollout - although still substantial - has eased from its peak last fall.

Climate Change and Health: IPCC Reports Emerging Risks, Emerging Consensus 

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) Impacts volume of the Fifth Assessment Report will be released today. Here, three contributors to the health chapter explain ideas and evidence behind the report.

Derrick Gordon Finds His Freedom 

After a year of isolation, gay UMass basketball player Derrick Gordon discovered the strength to share his truth with family and teammates. He becomes the first active male NCAA Div. 1 basketball player to come out publicly.

Express Scripts Claims Analysis: High Usage of HIV/AIDS, Hep C, and Pain Meds Among ACA Enrollees 

Offering a first glimpse of the health care needs of Americans who bought coverage through federal and state marketplaces, an analysis of the first two months of claims data shows the new enrollees are more likely to use expensive specialty drugs to treat conditions like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C than those with job-based insurance.

The Secret Life of a Food Stamp 

Last night, as the clock struck 12:01 on the first of the month, some lines of computer code triggered a series of financial transactions that have a profound effect on the American economy. In that instant, hundreds of millions of dollars-taxpayer dollars-were automatically downloaded onto debit cards tucked into wallets and purses of people across America.

Walgreens Manager Takes Action on Anti-Gay Incident 

After a customer used a gay slur and an employee laughed, a gay customer demanded to see the manager to file a complaint.