MetaFilter posts tagged with AIDS and africa

A Whole New Meaning to 'Forefathers.'

Lutoslawski — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 17:58:03 -0800

The Circumcision v. HIV debate rages on. [previously and previously-er and previously-er still] The debate has been rekindled due to new findings. It is expected to be one of the main topics during the CDC's National HIV Prevention Conference this week, as the CDC is considering endorsing routine circumcision. The American Academy of Pediatrics is also considering revising their circumcision policy, thus making it covered under Medicaid. Naturally, there is a lot of criticism of the evidence. In related news, it appears that there is a modicum of the so-called 'Birthers' who believe Obama's citizenship can be proven by his penis.

AIDS Prevention Strategies in Africa

Roach — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 15:32:52 -0800

According to Senior Harvard AIDS Prevention Researcher Dr. Edward Green, condoms not only are not helping to prevent the AIDS crisis, but are actually making the problem worse.

AIDS woo

fatfrank — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 03:24:39 -0800

Yet more AIDS w o o in Africa. First, Thabo Mbeki's AIDS policy lead to an estimated 300 000 additional deaths in South Africa. Now, magic water peddler Jeremy Sherr proposes testing homeopathic remedies for AIDS with two groups, one group on ARV and one on homeopathy, as "Placebo treatment is considered unethical in AIDS" (note: archived link from here via here) . After a number of science bloggers pointed out in the comments that, due to the nature of homeopathy, the trial would be inherantly unethical under the terms of the Declaration of Helsink, not to mention morally questionable, the re-write began. Via the ever wonderful Gimpy. Much, much more in the links, including serious questions raised about funding recieved for this trail and the ethical standards in place at some higher education and CAM institutes.

Out of Africa

netbros — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 21:55:43 -0800

Out of Africa. As award-winning Globe and Mail Africa correspondent Stephanie Nolen bids farewell to a place she's come to love, she reflects on how it has changed, and how it changed her. Africa photo gallery

More help where its most needed.

allkindsoftime — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 22:56:35 -0800

No-small-news-filter: House Votes to Continue and Expand President's Global Effort Against AIDS. The House voted to drastically expand funding to the President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief. Not everyone is happy with the details of the bill regarding AIDS prevention, but something is better than nothing. Roughly 1/5th of the funding is earmarked for tuberculosis and malaria relief / prevention as well. More info from USAID.

13-Year-Old Ambassador of Hope

ericb — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 18:42:13 -0800

Austin Gutwein first became aware of the devastating impact of HIV/AIDS from a pen pal in Africa.“‘My pen pal [2006 video - 2:48]^*...was the first one to open my eyes to the world outside of my own backyard,’ Austin says. One of the harsh realities that struck a chord with Austin was the fact that many kids become orphaned as a result of a parent contracting HIV. ‘I started to think about what it would be like if I lost my parents,’ says Austin. ‘I just felt called to help.’...On World AIDS Day [December 1] 2004, at age 10, Austin shot 2,057 free throws to represent the number of children who would be orphaned because of AIDS during that school day....Austin approached individuals in his community to sponsor his endeavor. That year [he] raised $3,000, which he gave to World Vision to be used to help eight orphans in Africa.” Three years later his non-profit, Hoops of Hope, raised $100,000 [2007 video - 2:32] which was used to build a residential school in Zambia for those orphaned -- and many infected -- by HIV/AIDS. Next year's goal -- to build a hospital. Previous World AIDS Day posts - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.

"A Compound From Olive-pomace Oil Gets 80% Slowing Down Of HIV Spread"

duende — Mon, 09 Jul 2007 15:45:32 -0800

In the past, various possible treatments and methods have been suspected of helping combat AIDS, which have later been proven correct. Other, less reputable treatments have also been claimed to work, the likes of which descend towards malpractice, pseudoscience and criminal negligence. But in a turnabout, the olive oil element of South Africa's controversial treatment, deemed to be "Africa's Solution", actually helps as well.

AIDS cured!

damn dirty ape — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 14:55:14 -0800

AIDS cured! with seven herbs and spices. Who knew? Sadly, its another example of anti-west superstitions, which isn't limited just to Africa.

Heart of Darkness

four panels — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 07:17:03 -0800

In the 12 months ending in March 2005, the South African police reported more than 22,000 cases of child rape. In Zimbabwe, at least 2,000 child rape victims have died of AIDS since 1998. “Everybody should be aware that things like this should not happen to children.” This is the scourge of sex abuse of girls in Africa.

Your (DOLLAR) goes further

forwebsites — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:47:29 -0800

(RED) is an initiative started by Bono and Bobby Shriver, to (Embrace) you in the fight against AIDS in Africa whenever you buy iconic red-colored products like the iPod, Amex card, Armani and others. A portion of the sales proceeds of each product goes to the Global Fund charity that gives away antiretroviral drugs to HIV infected people. Watch out for Bono painting the town red with/on Oprah today to mark its US release. Make friends with it on mySpace.

new hope for a vaccine or cure?

amberglow — Thu, 25 May 2006 17:00:10 -0800

AIDS really did come from chimps in the 1950s --..."We're 25 years into this pandemic," Hahn said. "We don't have a cure. We don't have a vaccine. But we know where it came from. At least we can make a check mark on one of those." ... ...Identifying the source of the HIV pandemic is more than filling in a missing link in the disease's progression. ...

How to Guest-Edit a Major British Newspaper

bardic — Wed, 17 May 2006 15:06:15 -0800

Bonofilter: Yesterday, May 16, U2 front-man Bono was a guest "editor" for the UK newspaper The Independent. Called the "RED Edition," half of this issue's proceeds went "to help fight HIV and AIDS among women and children in Africa." Highlights included US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice offering her take on "The Ten Best Musical Works" and an interview with Eddie Izzard on immigration in Europe. Is there a downside to celebrity editing, or is it a win-win-win for Bono, The Independent, and some people in need?

The struggle of a Botswana village with AIDS

Gyan — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 21:26:14 -0800

The Nata village blog - "A unique opportunity to witness the battle to control the spread of HIV/AIDS in an African village."

A haunting AIDS commercial reminiscent of Katamari Damacy.

chunking express — Tue, 20 Dec 2005 13:44:14 -0800

A haunting AIDS commercial reminiscent of Katamari Damacy.

Use of AbsorbShun natural powder in any quantity may cause temporary tenderness and micro abrasions to the genital area.

amber_dale — Thu, 27 Jan 2005 09:06:57 -0800

A Natural Solution for a Tighter Vagina Dry sex is extremely popular in Africa due to the sensation of tightness and additional friction it provides, despite the fact that it is associated with higher rates of HIV transmission. But if you don't have access to mutendo wegudo (soil with baboon urine), Scott and Cynthia Koss have the product for you.

Circumcision

halekon — Sun, 09 Jan 2005 10:01:24 -0800

Is circumcision an AIDS weapon? To cut or not to cut? Does circumcision prevent the transmission of HIV? It was deemed "An acceptable strategy for HIV prevention" in Bostwana and a study looking at the magnitude of females who get infected with HIV/AIDS/STDs through circumcision

Perspectives on AIDS in Africa

stonerose — Wed, 14 Jul 2004 09:44:15 -0800

As the world meets in Bangkok to discuss responses to the HIV/AIDS epidemic (wow, even Richard Gere thinks it's important!), these very effective public service ads (1, 2, 3 all .mpg files) from the Stephen Lewis Foundation bring the epidemic down (or up) to an emotional level.

The Mass Graves of the Betrayed

stonerose — Wed, 17 Mar 2004 08:00:01 -0800

African AIDS Drug Plan Faces Collapse. The World Health Organization's Three by Five programme seeks to supply 3 million Africans with anti-HIV drugs by 2005. But it's in danger, due to lack of cash... and opposition from special interests who seem to be exerting influence over the U.S. government. According to Stephen Lewis, U.N. Special Envoy for AIDS in Africa, 'If Three by Five fails, as it surely will without the dollars, then there are no excuses left, no rationalisations to hide behind. There will only be the mass graves of the betrayed.'

We'd give money if they had more clocks

donovan — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 08:57:27 -0800

"They do not use Western means to tell time. They use the sun. These drugs have to be administered in certain sequences, at certain times during the day. You say, take it at 10 o'clock, they say, what do you mean, 10 o'clock?" They, of course, refers to "Africans" and the above logic from the head of USAID was used an explanation for why it's tough to extend AIDS treatment to Africa. The only problem with this argument is that it's wrong. People with HIV in developing countries are in better compliance with drug regimes than in the US as new research is showing [RealAudio]. As we've seen throughout the epidemic, it's a lot easier to get funding for researchers in lab coats than for actual treatment . . .

Policies that kill?

mathowie — Mon, 01 Dec 2003 00:08:47 -0800

Starting with this year's State of the Union address, President Bush began a plan to increase aid to Africa, and at the center of that plan is funding to prevent the spread of AIDS and HIV that has reached epidemic proportions on the continent. Critics however, have noted that aid to clinics comes with strings attached. Abstinence is preached first and foremost and condoms are mentioned only as a last resort. This reporter flat out says the policy to curtail the funding and use of condoms in Africa is killing millions.

Politicizing the AIDS crisis

hipnerd — Mon, 17 Feb 2003 10:43:24 -0800

Bush's pledge to fight AIDS in Africa comes with some strings attached, it turns out. Bush is limiting the funds that clinics which perform abortions can receive. Is it moral to politicize an epidemic?

Africa.

mrmanley — Fri, 06 Dec 2002 08:21:59 -0800

Africa. Whether you think of it as The Heart Of Darkness, the Dark Continent, or as an ecological laboratory, Africa is ultimately home to us all. But Sub-Saharan Africa is in peril of spiraling into chaos: the scourge of AIDS, near-continuous unrest, and a lamentable inability of most African countries to maintain anything like a modern civil society are precursors to what might become a humanitarian catastrophe unlike anything we have ever witnessed. Do we still blame the ghosts of colonialism for this, or is it time for Africans to take the responsibility for their own problems?

Is Male Circumcision A Solution to the African AIDS Crisis?

jonp72 — Sun, 01 Dec 2002 20:48:24 -0800

Is Male Circumcision A Solution to the African AIDS Crisis? The United States Agency for International Development has sponsored some hopeful research suggesting that wider availability of male circumcision could substantially reduce AIDS tranmission in Africa. Contrary to worries that male circumcision would be viewed as a culturally imperialist intrusion into African traditions, public health surveys have found surprising unfulfilled demand for circumcision among African men.

AIDS in Africa photojournalism

gravelshoes — Sun, 01 Dec 2002 07:17:47 -0800

AIDS in Africa by photojournalists Gideon Mendel and James Nachtwey (flash required)

Thabo Mbeki's AIDS policies

Pretty_Generic — Sun, 01 Dec 2002 04:35:14 -0800

"35,000". The South African president Thabo Mbeki is failing to deal with his nation's unbelievable AIDS epidemic. Here are the opinions of his chief advisor on the disease. For balance, here is the opinion of the UK government. Do you agree with me that Mbeki is a dangerous man, and is a terrible choice to follow his predecessor?