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the thursday morning eNEWS archives | |
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The Thursday Morning eNEWS
I am very pleased to be back with you on a weekly basis. I would like to thank those of you that sent some rather nice e-mails regarding this publication and pledge to continue to do my best to keep you current on cutting edge and/or informative issues facing the HIV/AIDS community. Please make note of FRIENDS new phone/FAX number (313)887-9104 and new e-mail address friendsa@comcast.net. I hope to hear of your upcoming events and news as it happens. As you can see, the formatting has not yet changed; but I hope you enjoy reading anyways! FRIEND Alliance Website Reborn www.friendsalliance.org Some exciting changes have occurred in FRIENDS Website
I hope you find these new features useful and helpful to you and your organization.
Please take the time to visit AFFIRMATIONS fantastic new home at 290 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale - GRAND OPENING June 3
Fifth annual health fair a huge success By Jason A. Michael Originally printed 05/03/2007 (Issue 1518 - Between The Lines News) FERNDALE - The fifth annual Health Fair at Affirmations was a huge hit last Saturday. Sponsored by Project Healthy Living, the fair gave participants an opportunity to receive an array of free or very low cost health services and screening tests. According to Knoll Larkin, Affirmations health services coordinator, about 250 folks visited the fair, with 75 receiving health screenings. In addition, 30 non-profit agencies participated and set up booths. "We had really good representation," Larkin said. "We had some local agencies, like the Social Security Administration, Ferndale Senior Services. We also had Karmanos Cancer Institute, a lot of recovery type groups, like Together We Can, the Brighton Hospital substance abuse treatment facility. And of course the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, AIDS Partnership Michigan and Transgender Michigan were there." Folks who attended had the opportunity to undergo hearing and vision tests, dental and depression screenings, blood panels, glucose checks and more. Podiatry screenings, which made their debut at this year's fair, were also a big hit. The event was one of the first to take place in the new Affirmations building, and the fair spread out throughout the center, including in the community room and gallery. "It was great just to be able to offer such a nice place for people to come and receive the screenings and health information," Larkin said. "The atmosphere was more inviting overall. We had a lot of folks come in from off the street that weren't even aware of the festival that came in and participated." Larkin acknowledged the contribution of the more than 40 volunteers who ensured that the day ran smoothly. "It would never be possible without all the volunteers, medical and non medical volunteers," he said. "We had a lot of students from Wayne State School of Medicine and Oakland University's Nursing Program. One of things I read on a lot of the comment cards was how energetic, kind, welcoming and friendly the volunteers were. That's always nice to hear."
Happenings May 12 Saturday, 5pm - Jet Theater show: Inspector Calls We have complementary tickets to the Jet Theater for THIS Saturday for the show Inspector Calls, curtain time is 5:00PM. If you would like to go, simply send your name to reservations@wingsmi.org as soon as possible so that we can have tickets for you at the Will Call desk. May 14 5-7pm DirectRx Motivational Mondays Community Resources for HIV Individuals To be held at Kresge Eye Institute Classroom D (in Basement) Learn about resources available in the community for you! We have invited non-profit HIV organizations to bring information on the services they provide to the community! Don't miss out on this opportunity! Light Refreshments Provided. Please call Jennifer VanNuil 800-422-3227 Ext 461 with questions or if you would like to attend. May 18 Friday - Asians & Friends Bar Party On the National Asian / Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness and Testing Day, Midwest AIDS Prevention Project’s (MAPP) annual :Friday May 18th 2007, 9 pm to 2 am, Soho Martini Bar, W. Nine Mile Road Downtown Ferndale. Everyone welcome Free HIV testing/ gift cards and prizes…drink specials / music / videos. For information call 248.545.1435 ayee@aidsprevention.org or www.asiansandfriendsMI.org May 22 Fuzeon Empowerment Group Presented by Midwest AIDS Prevention Project (MAPP) Please join the Fuzeon empowerment group for the first meeting of the year! Learn how you can achieve success with Fuzeon with speaker Bill Taylor Moderated by Brenda Stapleton of Roche Labs On Tuesday, May 22 - 2007at Como’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria, 22812 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, MI, 48220 Food will be provided. Space is limited - You MUST Register For more information or to register call: (248) 545-1435 ext. 111 June 23 Twenty Fifth Annual Detroit Together Men’s Chorus Spring Concert details and tickets at www.dtmc.org June 3 Motor City Pride, Ferndale www.pridesource.com June 3 AFFIRMATIONS Grand Opening official ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off on the mainstage at 2:00pm followed by an afternoon open house with tours. www.goaffirmations.org June 30 Lansing Pride March www.michiganpride.org July 8 28th Annual Metra Picnic www.metramagazine.com Sept 16 AIDS Walk Detroit www.aidswalkdetroit.org In the News Number of Syphilis Cases Rising Among MSM in U.S., Could Increase Risk of HIV Transmission, CDC Officials Say Dunham, Reuters Health, 5/4 The number of syphilis cases is increasing among men who have sex with men in the U.S., which could boost the population's risk of contracting HIV, CDC officials said on Friday, Reuters Health reports. According to the officials, the number of syphilis cases in the U.S. reached an all-time low in 2000. However, the number of cases has risen annually from 2000 to 2005, the most recent year for which the agency has figures. CDC analysts estimate that in 2000, MSM accounted for 7% of syphilis cases in the country but accounted for more than 60% in 2005. According to CDC, syphilis incidence in the overall population was 2.1 cases per 100,000 people in 2000, compared with three cases per 100,000 people in 2005, or 8,724 cases. Khalil Ghanem of Johns Hopkins University's School of Medicine said, "The most devastating consequence of this increase in syphilis cases [among MSM] would be an increase in the rates of HIV infection." He added, "Syphilis and HIV have a close, deadly symbiotic relationship." According to James Heffelfinger, a CDC epidemiologist, syphilis can increase the risk of HIV transmission by twofold to fivefold. "We are seeing that syphilis is on the rise among a very specific subset of [MSM]: those who are having a great deal of sex with multiple sex partners," Joel Ginsberg, executive director of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association in San Francisco, said, adding, "Among these men, there seems to be decreased condom use, perhaps related to an attitude of 'I already have HIV, so why bother?' or because HIV is seen as a chronic disease that can be managed well with medications." According to Ginsberg, many MSM in this subset are HIV-positive or learn their HIV-positive status for the first time when they find out they have syphilis. According to Reuters Health, Ghanem "faulted" the homosexual and bisexual communities, public health leaders and the medical establishment for failing to get across a message of prevention, citing "safe-sex fatigue" after the advent of antiretroviral drugs. "Once these wonder drugs came along, [HIV-positive people] no longer saw HIV as a death sentence, and clinicians, unfortunately, became more lackadaisical about conveying prevention messages," Ghanem said. He added that use of crystal methamphetamine is associated with unsafe sexual practices linked to syphilis.
Illinois Bill That Would Remove Written Consent Requirement for HIV Tests Could Bring 'Dire Consequences,' Editorial Says Chicago Sun-Times, 5/3 Although "[n]early everyone agrees more voluntary HIV testing is a good thing," an Illinois House bill (HB 980) that would eliminate the requirement that people receiving HIV tests provide written consent prior to undergoing the test has the "potential to do more harm than good," a Chicago Sun-Times editorial says (Chicago Sun-Times, 5/3). The Illinois bill would enact recommendations released last year by CDC, which say that HIV tests should be part of routine medical care for people ages 13 to 64 and that requirements for written consent and pretest counseling should be dropped. The measure also would rescind part of the state's AIDS Confidentiality Act, which was passed in the 1980s and states people cannot be tested for HIV without their knowledge. Advocates from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago are opposed to the bill and have said that counseling still should be available before and after testing to ensure people understand the results and have access to treatment, if necessary. Officials from the Illinois Department of Public Health after hearing the concerns raised by HIV/AIDS advocates said they would work with state Rep. LaShawn Ford (D), the bill's sponsor, to add language to the bill that would clarify the need for pre- and post-test counseling and verbal consent prior to testing (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 5/1).Although CDC's recommendations "seems to be a good way" to expand HIV testing, HIV is "anything but a routine disease," the editorial says. It adds that "dire consequences" can come from administering HIV tests to people who are unaware they do not have to receive it, are not informed about HIV and how to prevent it, or do not have a support system, the editorial adds. Ford and other proponents of the Illinois bill have said they are "flexible on the matter of signed consent and counseling," the editorial says, concluding that the "best medicine here would be a compromise by the CDC that preserves a system proven to work well".
40% of HIV-Positive, Transitional Housing Residents in New York City Experience Discrimination From Health Care System, Study Says Reuters Health, 5/3 About 40% of HIV-positive people living in transitional housing in New York City report having experienced discrimination when dealing with the health care system, according to a study published in the May/June issue of the journal Public Health Reports, according to Reuters Health. Perceived discrimination was determined by asking study participants if someone in the health system had ever shown hostility or a lack of respect, refused them service or paid less attention to them compared with others, Reuters Health reports. For the study, Nancy Sohler of City University of New York and colleagues surveyed 523 HIV-positive people residing in New York City temporary housing facilities. The study found that almost 40% of respondents reported having experienced some type of discrimination in the health care system. Of the group who had experienced discrimination, 60% said that their HIV-positive status was the underlying reason, 50% cited drug use, 35% said it was because of homelessness and 35% said it was caused by their race or ethnicity, the study found.Perceived discrimination was "significantly associated" with the duration of knowing one's status, the use of nonprescription opiods, including heroin, oxycodone and codeine; white race; female gender; and younger age, Reuters Health reports. According the study, those who perceived discrimination were significantly more likely to give lower ratings for quality of health care and trust in HIV care providers. "Our data show that perceived discrimination is a strong and consistent predictor of poor ratings of the health care system, which may negatively influence health behaviors," Sohler said, concluding, "Thus, it is crucial for providers to address discrimination with their patients".
Clinton Foundation Announces Deal With Drug Companies To Reduce Cost of Antiretrovirals in Developing Countries AFP/Yahoo! News, 5/8 Former President Clinton on Tuesday in New York City announced agreements between the Clinton Foundation and Indian drug manufacturers Cipla and Matrix Laboratories to reduce the cost of some second-line antiretroviral drugs in developing countries, the New York Times reports (Dugger, New York Times, 5/9). According to Clinton, second-line antiretrovirals, which are needed for people who have developed resistance to first-line treatments, can cost 10 times as much as first-line drugs, the AP/USA Today reports. Nearly 500,000 HIV-positive people will need access to second-line drugs by 2010 (AP/USA Today, 5/8). Under the agreement, the foundation will provide reduced-cost antiretrovirals to 66 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Reuters reports. The agreement will generate an average savings of 25% in low-income countries and 50% in middle-income countries (Reuters, 5/8). Clinton also announced a deal that will make a once daily, first-line combination pill available for less than $1 per dose, the AP/USA Today reports. According to Clinton, the treatment -- which combines the antiretrovirals tenofovir, lamivudine and efavirenz will cost $339 per patient annually, which is about 45% lower than the price currently available in low-income countries and 67% lower than the price in many middle-income countries. Clinton said Cipla and Matrix worked with the foundation to lower production costs in part by obtaining lower prices for raw materials (AP/USA Today, 5/8). According to the Times, provision of the first-line, combination therapy largely will be financed by the Global Fund To Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as other donors (New York Times, 5/9). UNITAID, an organization formed by France and 19 other nations that have set aside a portion of their airline tax revenues for programs in developing countries, will provide the foundation with more than $100 million to purchase second-line drugs for 27 countries (AP/USA Today, 5/8). UNITAID and the foundation plan to begin purchasing the reduced-price drugs in July, and the medications will be delivered to people in need of treatment in developing countries, Clinton said.
New York City Health Department Could Discontinue Distribution of Subway-Themed Condoms, Health Commissioner Says Bennett [1], New York Post, 5/8 New York City Health Commissioner Thomas Frieden on Monday said that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene could discontinue a condom-distribution program if it is found that the program is not increasing safer-sex practices among high-risk groups, the New York Post reports. The health department in January approved a $1.57 million contract to deliver Ansell Healthcare's Lifestyle condoms and packets of lubricants to organizations and venues in the city to help curb the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as to prevent unplanned pregnancies. The health department will pay Ansell four cents per condom, putting the cost of the program at about $720,000 annually, according to health officials. City health officials in February unveiled the official condom, which features a subway theme with different colors for various train lines. Officials plan to track the progress of the program through an annual community health survey, which polls 10,000 city residents by telephone. Organizations or venues can request an unlimited supply of condoms at no cost through an online ordering system set up by the city health department. The health department in April announced that from mid-February to mid-March it distributed five million no-cost condoms, or about two condoms per every man living in the city (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 4/6).According to the Post, the city from March 15 to April 15 distributed 3.7 million condoms. Frieden said that it is unclear whether the condoms are reaching target groups, such as men who have sex with men. "If we find launching this brand didn't increase at all safe sex among the groups at highest risk, we may stop it entirely," Frieden said. However, he also said that "brands increase the appeal of a product." Frieden did not rule out the launch of a new condom brand. According to the Post, the condoms are still popular at their distribution sites. More than 100,000 New York residents are HIV-positive and about 25% do not know their HIV status, according to estimates from the health department, the Post reports. Medically Speaking Green Tea Extract Protects Against Brain Damage In New Mouse Model Of HIV-Related Dementia HIV / AIDS News, May 1, 2007 A compound derived from green tea greatly diminished the neurotoxicity of proteins secreted by the human immunodeficiency virus, suggesting a new approach to the prevention and treatment of HIV-associated dementia, also known as AIDS dementia complex. The disorder is the most severe form of HIV-related neuropsychiatric impairment. University of South Florida neuroscientist Brian Giunta, MD, reported the findings May 1 at Experimental Biology 2007 in Washington, DC. His presentation was part of the scientific program of the American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics. The study was conducted using a new mouse model for HIV-related dementia developed by Dr. Giunta and Jun Tan, MD, PhD, director of the Neuroimmunology Laboratory at the Silver Child Development Center, USF Department of Psychiatry, "These findings suggest that EGCG, the green tea-derived compound, may represent a new and natural compound for the prevention and treatment of this devastating disease," Dr. Giunta said. "This is a very important finding in the prevention and treatment of HIV-related dementia, which is usually observed in the late stages of HIV disease," said Abdul S. Rao, MD, MA, DPhil, senior associate vice president for USF Health and vice dean for research and graduate affairs at the College of Medicine. "The neuroprotective effects of EGCG, the green-tea extract, may offer an alternative to existing mono or combination antiretroviral therapies that are known to have poor central nervous system penetration." HIV-associated dementia, a debilitating cognitive, emotional, and physical disorder, affects 22 percent of HIV-infected adults and more than half of HIV-infected children. Symptoms often begin with slight changes in behavior, intellectual ability, memory, and muscle coordination. Some patients experience depression-like symptoms such as loss of appetite and motivation. Tasks requiring complex thinking and high concentration become difficult, and motor skills gradually deteriorate over time. The highly active antiretroviral therapies used in developed nations appear to slow the development of brain damage in patients with HIV-related dementia, making it a protracted disorder rather than an acute one. Unfortunately, these therapies neither cure nor prevent development of HIV-associated dementia and several epidemiologic studies indicate they increase the prevalence of the dementia. Currently, no treatments specifically target this neuropsychiatric disorder. HIV-associated dementia is believed to be caused by the direct effects of HIV upon the brain. The virus secretes proteins known as Tat and gp120, which have direct toxic effects on the neurons. The proteins also have indirect effects caused by the release of chemical messengers known as cytokines, which interact with the HIV proteins to cause death of the brain cells. High levels of these cytokines alone also are toxic to the brain. When healthy mice were given doses of the HIV proteins Gp120 and/or Tat, in combination with a cytokine known as interferon-gamma, they developed brain damage closely resembling that seen in HIV-associated dementia in humans. Dr. Giunta said the finding may help explain the cognitive and behavioral changes in individuals infected with HIV. Dr. Giunta then used epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the major antioxidant derived from green tea, to break into this pathway of neurotoxicity. He was successful both in cell studies and in studies involving the new mouse model of the disease. Cultured neurons from mice were exposed to EGCG before being given a cocktail of the two neurotoxic HIV proteins and the toxic cytokine. The green tea compound inhibited the ability of the cytokine to act with the HIV proteins to cause death and damage of the neurons. In further confirmation, the green tea compound also inhibited the neurotoxic properties of these HIV proteins in the presence of the cytokine in live mice. Job Postings Certified HIV Test Counselor APM has a position available for a full time Certified HIV Test Counselor. If you know of anyone looking for work in HIV Prevention for further information, contact Lillian T. Piersante, OraQuick Rapid Testing & Laboratory Coordinator, AIDS Partnership Michigan, 2751 E. Jefferson, Suite 301, Detroit, MI 48207, 313.446.9807 lpiersante@aidspartnership.org
Community Health Awareness Group: Standard/Intensive Case Manager Job Opening Community Health Awareness Group, an African American AIDS organization, is seeking applicants for a full time Standard/Intensive Case Manager. Duties include identifying, screening, assessing, and developing service delivery plans for persons with HIV, with an emphasis on those with chronic mental health and/or substance abuse problems. Direct clients to needed services, coordinate and monitor access to and delivery of quality services, and provide client advocacy when necessary. Current Michigan driver’s license and reliable personal transportation required. Computer and typing fluency required. Applicant must have a MSW or related Masters, preferably with experience in mental health, substance abuse, and/or medical field. Send resume and cover letter/salary requirements to 1300 W. Fort, Detroit, MI, 48226 Attn: S. Hargrave or via email to sfraz313@yahoo.com .
PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER: Join a comprehensive, multidisciplinary team in an exciting new program integrating mental health and medical services in an adult HIV outpatient academic medical clinic in Detroit. Primary responsibilities include psychiatric evaluations, consultations, medication management and psychotherapy. Part-time position, may include full benefits. Fax or e-mail resume and cover letter to Laura Zanchetta (313-993-3997, lzanchet@med.wayne.edu).
Project Director AIDS Partnership Michigan seeks a Project Director for a community level prevention intervention project targeting young men of color who have sex with men and ancillary HIV CTR services. Responsibilities include ensuring the tailoring and translation of the intervention to the target population, program implementation, operation, data collection and reporting. Primary liaison to CDC, the Ruth Ellis Center and other stakeholders. Minimum of BA/BS degree in a human services discipline, working knowledge of issues affecting young men of color who have sex with men including key life contextual issues, individual, interpersonal, social and cultural factors, community organizing and social marketing skills or experience. Send resume and cover letter to: Associate Executive Director, AIDS Partnership Michigan, 2751 E. Jefferson, Ste 301, Detroit, MI 48207 or email to millbourne@aidspartnership.org
Detroit Community Health Connection Nutritionist Provide nutritional education and suggested dietary modification to patients. Provide in-service and nutrition education to staff. Assesses the nutrition status of patients through the integration of anthropometrics, biochemical, and clinical and dietary information. Creates and completes care plan to address and identify nutritional problems, utilizing both problem oriented protocols and other procedures including referrals to other providers, programs or other agencies as indicated. Develops and updates patient education material for use by the patients. Assists community groups and organizations in planning and implementing nutrition related activities. Requirements: Bachelor of Science in Nutrition, Food Service, Community Health, or related field. Registered Dietitian with American Dietetic Association (ADA) Minimum of one year in nutritionist capacity in an ambulatory setting. LPN (Bi-Lingual) Responsibilities: A Growing and Progressive JCAHO accredited Community Health Center located in the Detroit area, has an immediate opening for a full time Staff Nurse for busy primary care practice in a patient friendly ambulatory setting; Requirements: Certification and State Registration required plus 1 yr exp. in ambulatory setting. Compensation: DCHC offers competitive wages and benefits including medical insurance, dental care, tuition reimbursement, 403B Retirement plan, paid vacation time and personal and sick days. Portia Mitchell, MLR/HR, Director of Human Resources, Detroit Community Health Connection, Inc. http://dchcquality.org, 13901 East Jefferson Ave., Detroit, MI, 48215 (313) 821-2591 x 3119; FAX (313) 822-4202 E-mail: Portiam@dchcquality.org Support Group Listing FIND THE COMPLETE LISTING AT http://www.friendsalliance.org/support_hm.html
To Edit or add your group listing, please send changes to webmaster@friendsalliance.org
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