Expand use of HIV tests, U.S. urges
08.08.2008 20:00
Health
- Source: cbc.ca
New strategies are needed to boost HIV testing in the U.S., a government report recommended Thursday. While the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends HIV screening as part of routine medical care for those age 13 to 64, only 40 per cent of adults reported being tested, the agency said in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The report was based on data from a 2006 national health interview study. "The data in this report suggest that progress in HIV testing stalled in the mid- to late-1990s, and new strategies, such as expanded screening in health-care settings, appear to be warranted," the CDC said. Doctors hope that testing people for HIV during regular checkups will help reduce the stigma of asking for the test and help to diagnose those who were unaware they were at risk. Early diagnosis helps people who are infected to get medical care and change their behavior to prevent further spread of the virus, the CDC said. Meanwhile at the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico City on Thursday, speakers stressed the importance of expanding AIDS programs, strengthening health systems in poor countries and expanding the role of people living with HIV in the health care system. “If the urgency of AIDS and the sheer magnitude of human loss we are now experiencing is not enough to compel us to provide even the most basic level of health care to those living in low-income countries, then we, as a global community, are morally bankrupt,” said Dr. Pedro Cahn, international co-chair of AIDS 2008 and president of the International AIDS Society and Fundacion Huesped in Buenos Aires, Argentina. On Wednesday, officials at the conference acknowledged that the United Nations goal of achieving "universal access" to anti-HIV drugs and care by 2010 is unlikely to be achieved everywhere in the world. "2010 is 18 months from now," UNAIDS head Peter Piot told reporters. "What we've seen is that in a number of countries, they've already reached their universal access targets; others [have] not." Some countries could achieve national objectives of universal access to HIV medication in 2011 or 2012, the UN agency said. Story Tools: E-MAIL | PRINT | Text Size: SMLXL | REPORT TYPO | SEND YOUR FEEDBACKRelatedInternal LinksIN DEPTH: AIDS ResearchExternal LinksPersons tested for HIV 2006, U.S. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly ReportAIDS 2008(Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - links will open in new window) Health HeadlinesNicotine gene linked to addiction Whether smoking your first cigarette brings on a pleasurable buzz or a wave of nausea may depend on what type of nicotine-related gene you have.Mixing cholesterol, heart drugs boosts risk of muscle damage: FDAA drug prescribed for high cholesterol may raise the risk of serious muscle injury in people who also take a medication to control an irregular heart beat, U.S. health officials warned Friday.Cancer may be worse in obese men screened for PSA: study Prostate cancer may be more aggressive in obese men because their screening test results tend to be less accurate, say doctors who compared prognosis rates. Scientists create stem cells for 10 disordersHarvard scientists say they have created stems cells for 10 genetic disorders, which will allow researchers to watch the diseases develop in a lab dish and could speed up efforts to find treatments.Peanut bans a sticky issuePeanut bans in schools often lead to a flurry of angry phone calls and letters to local newspapers, but for parents of allegic kids, they can be a life-saving move. Health FeaturesFOOD SAFETYInfrared heatA new wavelength for food securityAIDS RESEARCHLife expectancyBig jump in survival rates for those on HIV drugsIN DEPTHLyme diseaseTiny tick, big problemANOTHER VIEWDrugs and drivingNew law a 'positive step', analyst saysHEALTH & FITNESSPeter HadzipetrosRunning from wrinklesHEALTHTrans fatsPeople who read this also read …
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