What We're Reading

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

As Medicare Covers Hepatitis C Testing for At-Risk Americans, New Challenges Arise 

All individuals born from 1945 through 1965, as well as people who fit the definition of "high risk" for hepatitis C (HCV) infection, will have the costs of HCV screening covered by Medicare, according to an announcement from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) earlier this month. The move marks the latest development in a trend toward greater coverage of HCV testing costs in the U.S. -- and toward increased awareness about hepatitis C among patients and providers alike.

Novel Intravaginal Ring Shows Promise for HIV Prevention 

A novel intravaginal ring implanted with anti-retroviral drug tablets, or pods, demonstrated sustained and controlled drug release and safety over 28 days, according to a study. The ring, designed to prevent transmission of HIV, was tested in pig-tailed macaque monkeys, and is engineered to be inexpensive, all the better for use in developing countries, says a corresponding author.

Science

HIV Study Leads to Insights Into Deadly Infection 

New insights into how the HIV virus greatly boosts its chances of spreading infection has been gained by research that also indicates why HIV is so hard to combat. "We now have a better understanding of the role of these protein enhancers in HIV infection. However, it's clear that much more research is needed in this area," one researcher says.

Miscellaneous

AIDS Research Team in US Loses $1.38M Grant (Update) 

An AIDS research team at Iowa State University will not get the final $1.38 million payment of a National Institutes of Health five-year grant after a team member admitted last year to faking research results, the NIH said Tuesday.

Barriers to HIV Care Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act 

People living with HIV in the U.S. continue to face barriers to care six months after the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) came into effect, according to a national meeting of health sector advocates.

First Social/Behavioral Intervention to Address Under-Representation of African Americans and Latinos in AIDS Clinical Trials 

New York University College of Nursing (NYUCN) research team found that a social/behavioral intervention vastly increased the number of African American and Latino individuals living with HIV/AIDS who enrolled in HIV/AIDS medical studies. The intervention, designed by researchers at the NYUCN's Center for Drug Use and HIV Research (CDUHR), found that nine out of ten participants who were found eligible for studies decided to enroll, compared to zero participants among a control group.

Growing Old with HIV: Age-Related Diseases Are Bigger Problem for African American Women 

For African American women in their 50's and 60's, self-managing their HIV as they age is proving to be less of a challenge than dealing with age-related diseases such as diabetes or hypertension and socioeconomic and emotional aspects of aging, as described in a study published in AIDS Patient Care and STDs.

Natl. Gay and Lesbian Task Force Withdrawing Support for ENDA 

WASHINGTON, DC -The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund today announced that it is withdrawing its support for the federal Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The decision comes as broad religious exemptions, such as the one in ENDA, are creating gaping legal loopholes to discriminate in federal, state and local legislation.

White House Report: Missed Opportunities and the Consequences of State Decisions Not to Expand Medicaid 

Today, the Council of Economic Advisers released a report, Missed Opportunities: The Consequences of State Decisions Not to Expand Medicaid, which details the effects of state decisions regarding Medicaid expansion on access to care, financial security, overall health and well-being of residents, and state economies.