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.
MSM
Harvard Study Finds Substance Abuse, Mental Health Problems in MSM Interfere with HIV Medication Adherence Men who have sex with men (MSM) account for more than 60% of HIV infections in the U.S. and 78% of new infections in men. Antiretroviral therapy can control HIV infection and suppress viral load, but mental health and substance abuse problems common among MSM can interfere with medication adherence. How conditions such as depression and alcohol and drug abuse can affect anti-HIV therapy and the success of various interventions are explored in an article published in LGBT Health. Science Mapping HIV Transmission Networks to Reduce Infection Rate Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have mapped the transmission network of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in San Diego. The mapping of HIV infections, which used genetic sequencing, allowed researchers to predictively model the likelihood of new HIV transmissions and identify persons at greatest risk for transmitting the virus. Two-Thirds of U.S. Adults May Carry HPV But study finds only 4 of 103 people whose DNA was tested had the cancer-causing strain of the virus Treatment Alabama Department of Public Health Seeking Proposals on HIV, AIDS Education The health department is seeking proposals from community organizations and other groups on how to better educate the public on post-test disease management. That includes how to reduce the risk of transmitting HIV and adherence to medical treatment. Merck Bids $3.8 Billion for an Edge in Hepatitis Merck will buy the biotechnology company Idenix Pharmaceuticals for $3.85 billion in an effort to bolster its arsenal of potential drugs in the competitive arena of hepatitis C treatments, the companies announced on Monday. Miscellaneous Coast Cleared by Others, W.N.B.A. Finally Finds Its Gay Pride When Brittney Griner, the No. 1 pick in the 2013 W.N.B.A. draft, heard about her league's new campaign to market games to people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender, she said, "What are we going to have, T-shirts, shoes?" Coverage of R. Kelly's Transgender Son Exposes Media Blindspots R. Kelly's teenage son Jay has been outed as trans, and some folks in the media don't know how to handle it. Jay, who's 14 years old, looks to have been outed by bloggers who picked up the news from his Facebook page. According to Atlanta Daily News, Jay's mother, Andrea, has been supportive of his transition, but R. Kelly has yet to speak publicly on the matter. For Trayvon Martin's Friend Rachel Jeantel, a 'Village' of Mentors Trying to Keep Her on Track MIAMI - The young woman walking across the stage in cap and gown in front of hundreds of celebrants has a familiar face. Even outside of this high school auditorium, she is recognized. On city streets here, strangers walk up to her and say, awkwardly, "Oh my God, you're the girl from the Trayvon Martin case." Healthcare.gov Revamped To Ensure Glitches Do Not Return: WSJ (Reuters) - The Obama administration is revamping the health insurance marketplace HealthCare.gov and removing significant parts from it to ensure that glitches on the site do not return, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing presentations to health insurers and interviews with government officials and contractors. In Texarkana, Uninsured and on the Wrong Side of a State Line TEXARKANA, Tex. - On a hazy, hot evening here, Janice Marks ate a dinner of turkey and stuffing at a homeless shelter filled with plastic cots before crossing a few blocks to the Arkansas side of town to start her night shift restocking the dairy cases at Walmart. State Lawmakers Tackle Public Health Issues Four years into implementing the Affordable Care Act, state politicians turned their attention to other pressing health care issues such as preventing drug overdose deaths, limiting e-cigarettes and making medical marijuana more available. States also grappled with the question of who should receive a costly and highly effective cure for hepatitis C. A few states also launched programs aimed at controlling two of the costliest chronic conditions - asthma and diabetes. Texas GOP Platform Draft Endorses Gay Conversion Therapy A draft of the Texas Republican Party's new platform embraces gay conversion therapy, arguing that it is a viable option for "patients who are seeking escape from the homosexual lifestyle." These States Invest the Least in Their Students When it comes to funding public school students, some parts of the country shell out more dough than others. Videos Aim to Inform Patients About Their Medical Options at the End of Life When Ted Goff was hospitalized late last year, barely breathing and with advanced emphysema, his doctor said the prognosis was bad. They talked about Goff's last wishes and whether he wanted to be placed on a breathing machine. Goff wasn't sure. So his doctor suggested he watch a video explaining this technique and other options for end-of-life care. While Writing for 'Orange Is the New Black,' I Realized I Am Gay I was underdressed the day we shot Larry's pivotal phone call with Piper for the first season of Orange is the New Black. It was 9 degrees on Fifth Avenue, and I wore New Balances and a pair of wool socks - but I sucked it up because this was the climax of their season-long arc: A scene where both characters are finally forced to be honest after months of lying to each other. It was a scene I'd written with words shamelessly borrowed from my own life, and as I watched Jason Biggs repeat "I don't know if you can," after Piper begs him to let her fix her mistakes, the world around me swirled in a dizzying blur of life imitating art. Or vice versa - it's hard to say sometimes. By the end of the day I mostly was trying not to cry, and I also couldn't feel my feet.
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