Despite incredible medical advances in our treatment of HIV since the 1980s, we know that myths, fear and stigma continue to perpetuate the epidemic in the UK. People still avoid HIV testing for fear of the result, or simply because they don’t think HIV is an issue anymore. This causes alarming rates of late diagnosis and […]
Ten years ago, I was based in South Africa and involved in scaling up treatment for people with HIV. That country has one of the highest rates of HIV infection in the world – of 38 million people infected with HIV worldwide, around seven million of them live in South Africa. While I was there, I […]
Chemsex, men having sex with men under the influence of certain illicit drugs often with multiple partners, has already been identified as a ‘health priority’. The practice, which is part of a growing subculture in the gay community, has been linked to a steep rise in the number of STIs among men who have sex with men. In 2014, for the first time for over […]
Community ART groups is a patient-led initiative that gives support to people living with AIDS. By helping with the distribution of drugs to those less able, vital ART (Anti-retroviral) drugs are able to reach those most in need. MSF provides medical aid where it is needed most. To donate to MSF, please click here. To […]
Read More… from Fighting AIDS Saving Lives | Community ART groups
If you visit Malawi, in south-east Africa, you will find a warm, sunny climate and a welcoming, friendly people who are largely based in rural town and communities north and south of Lilongwe, our capital. We love simple things in life like good nsima, which we get after farming the land and fishing in our […]
Read More… from Pioneering mobile health (mHealth) in Africa: a nurses perspective from Malawi
Is hepatitis B infection a problem that will gradually fizzle out over time? On initial reflection, it is easy to think it might be. We have a cheap, safe and effective vaccine, and a choice of antiviral drugs that can successfully suppress the virus. We can also intervene reliably to prevent transmission from mothers to […]
Conflict and emergencies can disrupt HIV services; however, the prevalence of HIV infection is generally low among people from the Middle East and North Africa. Hence, there is a low risk that HIV will be brought to Europe by migrants from these countries. Despite a decline during the past decade, migrants still constitute 35 per […]
Last month Hillary Clinton took people back more than 30 years when she mis-remembered the policy and personal failures to tackle the then emerging AIDS crisis. Her error has allowed us to remember the many brave people who fought to bring justice, care and compassion to inhumane policy decisions; activists and scientists are the real heroes of […]
Read More… from Britain’s Battles with AIDS – scientists can be rock stars too
In the UK it is estimated there are around three million cannabis users and about one million of those use cannabis for medical reasons. At the moment all those individuals are using it illegally. This article debates the pros and cons of making cannabis a legally prescribable drug for medical reasons. The Pros First, there […]
Read More… from Medical Marijuana: Should cannabis be prescribed or not?