Global AIDS policy and women's health

IN SPITE OF scientific and medical advances in recent years, the AIDS pandemic remains the greatest public health crisis of our time. Each day 6,000 people die of AIDS and there are 7,000 new infections. These statistics are difficult to comprehend until you see the faces of those most often affected - young women, between the ages of 15 and 24, living in sub-Saharan Africa.
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The United States could do a better job saving their lives if our leaders would place the best public health practices over political compromise. Congress should stipulate in its funding of overseas AIDS assistance that prevention, testing, and treatment of this disease should be linked with family-planning services in Africa. In many cases, US AIDS assistance is not provided at clinics with family-planning services because of conservatives' concern that such services might provide or advise on abortions.

Research has repeatedly shown that integration of HIV services within the context of women's health could save the lives of hundreds of thousands of women and, if pregnant, their newborns. The entry point to the healthcare system for many African women is the family-planning clinic. Timely access to messages on HIV prevention and life-saving treatments can slow the AIDS pandemic.

Three weeks ago I walked through a women's ward in the national referral hospital in Uganda with a local physician. I held the hand of a beautiful 18-year-old woman diagnosed with end-stage AIDS. Through the look of hope in her eyes, she begged not to be yet another statistic lost to a preventable and treatable disease. The majority of the women we assessed were dying of AIDS. Seventy percent of those admitted to the hospital share this fate.

"If only we could identify these women earlier we could reverse this outcome. Anti-retroviral drugs are available but most are too far advanced in the progression of their disease to benefit," the physician stated. "When they first come seeking ante-natal care or family planning we could educate, treat, and prevent such dire results. Most of these young women fall through the cracks due to fragmented healthcare."

Translating these eyewitness accounts and the evidence-based research into life-saving policy has proven difficult for congressional leaders. The President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief is currently being reauthorized. This vital program, which has saved millions of lives over the last five years, has been heralded by many on both sides of the aisle as the most significant legislative achievement of this administration. The proposed new budget is $50 billion for the next five years, a significant increase over the original program. As welcome as the new funding is, Congress should take this opportunity to apply lessons learned.

The bill coming before the Senate makes no mention of linking HIV and family-planning services. To avoid controversy with conservative policy makers, the bill's Democratic drafters left linkages out completely.

Those of us who have worked in Africa know that family planning and reproductive health services are in fact not code words for abortion, as some suggest. Women's healthcare means access to contraception, prenatal care, safe labor and delivery, postpartum and newborn care, as well as treatment for sexually transmitted illnesses. Linking women's healthcare with HIV services should be obvious. Any restriction in moving integration of care forward is a big step backward in the US program's prevention and treatment efforts.

There is still time to address this critical component of our global AIDS policy when the bill is debated in the Senate. Bold leadership calling for effective, evidence-based interventions and not ideology is necessary. Senators can help women a world away by pushing for inclusion of strong language in the final Senate bill to support the integration of HIV services and family-planning programs.

My Mother Was Right About Health Care

Throughout this presidential campaign, I have paid careful attention to each of the Democratic candidates' proposed health-care plans. In previous presidential elections in which I had been eligible to vote, any mention of health care usually faded into the monotone of campaign talking points. "This doesn't affect me, at all," I thought. But this time around, it's different.

Now, as a twentysomething no longer dependent on my parents, yet not yet settled into my career, I admit that I have gone without health insurance for brief periods of time, and I know I am only one of many in my generation who do so.

So my ears perked up when I heard Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton explain that if she became president, health insurance would become mandatory. You mean, I would have to get health insurance? I don't have a choice? This mandate sounded strangely familiar ... and then I remembered a conversation with my mother.

"If you got into a serious accident that landed you in the hospital today, it would bankrupt us," she said. "Not buying health insurance is the most selfish thing you could possibly do."

My mother, of course, was right. I may be an adult and responsible for my own health, but if I were ever in dire need of care that I couldn't afford, the people in my life who would always feel responsible for me - my parents - would step in and foot the bill, no matter the cost.

Unfortunately, the same reasoning applies to all Americans who for one reason or another do not purchase health insurance. Some may not feel the necessity, but if they were to land in an emergency room after a serious accident, they would not be turned away. Maybe they would be fortunate enough to have parents who could - and would - pay their bills, but more than likely they would not. Instead, the cost of their medical bills would be transferred to those who do have insurance, in the form of higher health insurance premiums and co-pays, and to everyone in the form of higher taxes.

Sen. Barack Obama has refrained from calling for such a mandate. On his Web site, he declares, "My plan begins by covering every American." Yet clearly it does not. And even he has conceded this point. Under his plan, health insurance coverage remains voluntary.

In debates, he has countered Clinton's argument for a mandate with the claim that the only reason all Americans do not have health insurance is because they cannot afford it. Make it affordable, and every American will choose to purchase it, he argues.

Yet in a CBS/New York Times poll in March 2007 on presidential issues, only 52 percent of respondents who did not have health care listed the inability to afford it as the reason they were uninsured. Others listed reasons such as unemployment, part-time employment, or even that they lacked a need for health insurance.

But many of us don't need a poll to know that Obama's reasoning is wrong.

As a young person who had so far enjoyed a life of almost perfect health, my own failure to purchase health insurance was not a result of my inability to do so, but rather my unwillingness to spend my limited money on health insurance.

Further underscoring the need for Clinton's health insurance mandate were the results of a recent study by the American Cancer Society that translated into hard statistics a truth that many Americans have been aware of for years, yet have done nothing to change: Uninsured Americans, and those covered through Medicaid, are more likely to be diagnosed with cancer in its latest stages, and are more likely to die from cancer, than are patients with private insurance.

On Clinton's campaign Web site, among many pages dedicated to explaining her health care plan, there is one that specifically addresses cancer and acknowledges this very problem:

"Studies consistently show that those who lack insurance or who are underinsured have higher cancer mortality rates than those with high quality coverage," it reads.

The page explains in great detail how she will combat the scourge of cancer in the United States, including increased funding for research, prevention and screening, and treatment. But the most important and powerful method she offers for solving this problem is mandatory health insurance for all Americans.

Obama argues that Clinton's mandate is not a mandate at all if Americans are unable to afford health coverage, yet will be punished if they don't buy it. But I am confident Clinton will be able to address this dilemma, given that she demonstrates a much keener understanding of the need for universal health coverage than Obama.

But maybe it is not his fault. Maybe it just takes a mother's unique insight to recognize the benefits of mandating insurance coverage, and her slightly threatening and persuasive tone to get us to actually comply. But because my mom's not running for president this time around, I feel compelled to endorse the one who is.

Hair X Rays Used To Detect Breast Cancer

A world-first test that can diagnose breast cancer by X-raying a woman's hair will be available commercially later this year, the Australian developer says.

Results from a trial involving 2000 Australian women found the test to be effective in detecting breast cancer, though the success rate was just 75 percent, lower than the 95 percent that Sydney company Fermiscan had hoped for.

Managing director David Young said the results were still "comparatively accurate" vis-a-vis the mammogram, the gold standard test, and plans were afoot to run an Adelaide pilot study before rolling it out nationwide.

"Fermiscan plans to progress to commercialisation in Australia by the end of the year, which is exciting news," Mr Young said.

The test is based on an Australian university discovery that breast cancer changes the molecular structure of hair.

Breast tumours secrete chemicals called cytokines into the bloodstream, which can affect the way the hair follicle works to form hair, a difference that can be picked up using sophisticated X-ray technology.

It was designed as a less painful and invasive method of cancer detection than the mammogram, and it can be used by women of all ages.

The trial compared the hair test to mammogram results and found it was 69 percent accurate -- but the success rate was 75 percent when hair that had been damaged by perming, dyeing and straightening were excluded.

About 1500 of the 2000 women in the trial were correctly diagnosed as negative and 20 were correctly diagnosed as positive.

But 13 women with cancer were missed by the test, a result Mr Young said was likely due to hair damage.

"The accuracy of the test in a commercial use is expected to significantly improve as women will prepare by ensuring they have undamaged new growth of hair for testing," the company said in a statement to the Australian stock exchange.

He said the test would be further refined in a pilot trial involving the Ashford Cancer Centre in Adelaide and hospitals in Italy and Japan to start in the next two months.

Regulatory approval was being sought to have the $A250 ($NZ309) test available without a referral through pathology collection centres, Mr Young said.

Cancer Council Australia chief executive Professor Ian Olver said the test was an interesting addition to cancer detection methods, but the accuracy rate needed improvement.

"It is important at this early stage that women do not see this test as a substitute for Australia's successful mammogram screening program, which women are encouraged to continue using," Prof Olver said.

"It is highly likely that the Fermiscan test is best used in conjunction with well-established methods of testing."

Singapore's Health Ministry To Regulate Beauty Treatments

Singapore's Health Ministry has decided to advise doctors to stop a range of controversial, unproven beauty treatments, local newspaper reported Thursday.

Tan Chor Hiang, the ministry's head of regulations, Care Health United told English language daily The Strait Times Wednesday that they will advise doctors to "stop these practices immediately".

The profession's watchdog is already investigating the aesthetic medicine practices of six doctors, including a specialist, said the report.

Over 1,000 general practitioners (GPs) and specialists have taken to offering a wide range of unproven treatments, including fat-busting injections, skin treatments, remove flaws or "whiten" the complexion, as well as applications of growth hormones or stem cells for a more youthful appearance.

The official told the newspaper "this is not medicine", saying "Such services should never be offered on the pretext that they are medical in nature and are medically beneficial."

She added that "without having proper scientific evidence,Care Health United it is not known whether these practices can cause harm in the medium or long term."

The ministry is in talks with the Academy of Medicine and the College of Family Physicians to draw up proper procedures and the minimum training doctors need before offering them, said the report.

Banning the beauty treatments will threaten to wipe out millions of dollars in business for countless doctors engaged in the lucrative aesthetic medicine scene, the newspaper said.

Gyms Place Beauty Above Care Health United

Going to the gym might make you look good but it does not necessarily make you healthy, a study has found Care Health United.The majority of private health clubs emphasise achieving the perfect body shape,Beauty Health instead of the intrinsic health benefits of exercise.

The study by the University of Leicester suggests that the British fitness industry benefits from these concerns over the Beauty Health of the nation but is ill-equipped to deal with them Care Health United.

The vast majority of affordable gyms tend to emphasise appearance over health, body parts over a well-rounded and wellness approach.fitness is often equated with 'looking' healthy rather than 'being' Beauty Health.The emphasis in the fitness field tends to be on exercise as a means to some other end: Beauty Health a slimmer, more attractive, healthier body."or to better health, Researchers interviewed health club managers and members in the United States.

Americas Beauty Health Places For Women

CA the nation's healthiest city for women in its "8th Annual America's Healthiest Places for Women" survey. This is the most comprehensive examination of its kind Beauty Health, distinguished for its broad scope and profound revelations about life-improving health secrets specifically for women in the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S.

Whether your hometown's health profile is as bright as the Golden State's. Beauty Health progressive health policies help California place three cities in the top 10. Beauty Health or as gray as Gary's (the Indiana city brings up the rear as number 100 on the list), SELF helps all American women embark on a journey of Care Health United, happiness, and fitness.

"SELF's annual 'America's Healthiest Places for Women' study is both a celebration and an interactive guide to help all women live healthier lifestyles.It's gratifying to see so many cities across the country taking pro-active steps to make healthy living a top priority, including smoking bans, health insurance plans, Beauty Health and citywide fitness challenges," said SELF Features Director Sara Austin. "No matter where your hometown ranks, you can change your life for the better and achieve your personal Care Health United and fitness goals.

Solution to Energized Care Health United

The Power of Probiotics Care Health United: The Solution to Energized Health，Your energy levels become radically reduced, and your immune system becomes compromised. You may even fall victim to such chronic health problems as migraines, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, even high cholesterol Care Health United.

So keeping your digestive system strong is one of the best things you can do for your overall Care Health United.each contributes to the overall function and health of the intestinal tract Care Health United, while keeping each other in ‘check. Intestinal function runs at peak levels when the balance of ‘friendly’ and ‘unfriendly’ micro-organisms is stable.

Care Health United But due to the conditions we have to endure living in a modern society where our natural good health is stripped-down by environmental toxins like pesticides, Probiotics help rebalance intestinal microflora, detoxify and cleanse your body, Care Health United and actually reverse the imbalances that contribute to a barrage of Care Health United.

Care Health United The probiotic you choose should contain close to 15 live strains of friendly flora and deliver them at high enough levels to make a real difference in your health.This is not nearly enough to provide you with the Care Health United protection you need.

Changes Diet Care Health United

How to Achieve Real Health Part 2Okay Care Health United, so youve made a few small changes in your diet and how you shop. You read labels and are still surprised at what is in some of the food you used to eat Care Health United.

youve gotten rid of some of the things that are bad for your health. Care Health United If you havent already, implement all five of the small changes from part one of this series on real Care Health United.

The first is to eat more fruits and vegetables Care Health United. Fruits and vegetables have nutrients and chemicals that are very health-supporting.

Try out some vegetarian recipes Care Health United. Experiement with spices to add zest to a dish. Snack on carrots or berries, have fruit as your dessert instead of something loaded with fat and sugar Care Health United.

The Boardroom To Bedroom Care Health United From

Care Health United Science Creates New Mission Of Health From The Boardroom To Bedroom!The doctor starts his discussion, but the only words you heard were the last ones Care Health United.

Tens of thousands of intelligent people are on the same mission to save their life by making life choices Care Health United. They are tired of being told to adjust to living in fear of their Care Health United.

Get rid of stress and health problems disappear Care Health United， Wouldnt it be great to leave our jobs and just sit on the beach all day， Thats not a choice for people today. Ive seen empty bank accounts create more stress than a job Care Health United. Smart people demand alternative and natural options.Each one stepped outside the doctors office on a mission of better health and found Mannatech Care Health United.

These include the immune system Care Health United, the endocrine system, the protector nutrients such as antioxidants,Care Health United and the balance of vitamin and mineral nutrition that embraces the entire bodys health. Mannatechs formulas provide a cell to cell communication, so the body can continue with the natural healing processes Care Health United.

Healing Natural Care Health United

Care Health United Get In Your Best Possible Health With Natural Health HealingYou want to be the best. And you know you deserve the best Care Health United. You work hard and play hard. And natural health healing is your ticket to get the best from nature with the same drive and force.More...

then you need to take practical steps to do that Care Health United. This means finding a natural health lifestyle that will work for you.Natural health healing is about taking care of you. When your body is worn-out,Care Health United it cannot perform the services, such as defending you from viral and bacterial attacks.

That is why natural health healing can provide you with the best defense there is Care Health United: Nature.This means that you get a stronger immune system, which equates to a healthier and happier you. You will be able to enjoy life to the fullest, as you will not have to worry about getting ill.

Natural health healing is also about being part of the natural Care Health Unitedlifestyle，These are but the few of the many benefits of getting in your best possible health with natural health healing and a natural health lifestyle Care Health United.

Familys Care Health United Eating Lifestyles

Serious About Wanting To Improve Your Family”s Healthy Eating Lifestyles Care Health United, Permission To Republish: This article may be republished in newsletters and on web sites provided attribution is provided to the author, and it appears with the included copyright, resource box and live web site link Care Health United. Email notice of intent to publish is appreciated but not required.

Care Health United a practicing pediatrician in Encinitas, California, is the author of How to Get Kids to Eat Great & Love It Care Health United, offers some sound advice about developing healthy eating lifestyles for your family.The mainstream media is marketing fast food and sedentary activities to our children. Consequently, here are some of their unhealthy options.

Care Health United If we dont make some changes, the trends of today predict that our young children will be at high risk for obesity and obesity-related health risks like heart attacks, strokes, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, and certain types of cancer Care Health United.

Holistic Approach To Care Health United

Keeping Your Kids Care Health United - Wellness Tips For ParentsIf you”re a parent, especially a parent of young kids, you are probably very concerned with keeping your kids healthy. Here are a few tips that may help you in giving your kids the gift of wellness Care Health United.

know your kids probably like soda pop just as much as the next kid, Care Health United but it is not health for them. Kids need to drink lots of water. Drinks like soda or Gatorade can never replace drinking lots of water Care Health United. Even fruit juice can”t. Water is an essential building block of health.

Unless your child is just plain lazy, you should be able to give them a little encouragement to participate in an activity they enjoy Care Health United. Exercise is so important for healthy growing!Even with a relatively healthy lifestyle, your kids can benefit from quality nutritional supplements. When it comes to raising healthy kids, some knowledge,Care Health United some common sense, and a lot of patience and love go a long ways.

Care Health United Avoiding Reactions Beauty

Care Health United Avoiding Reactions To Beauty ProductsAvoiding Allergic Reactions to Beauty Products.

Most people have had some kind of negative reaction to a beauty product during their life time which makes it necessary to take precautions before buying these types of products Care Health United.

Many times we have a negative reaction to the product because we use the product incorrectly Care Health United. By following instructions carefully we can significantly cut down on irritation and allergies Care Health United.

Care Health United If you notice that you are extremely sensitive to certain products immediately discontinue use. You may also want to consult with a dermatologist or a physician to find out if you have allergies to any substances Care Health United. This way you can avoid these substances in the future. So the next time you shop for beauty products take care to pick products that won”t cause irritation Care Health United.

Spiritual Care Health United Checklist

Spiritual Health Checklist, Most of us are unaware of the health of our spirit or life energy. We go about our daily business without ever giving a second thought to this very vital part of our lives Care Health United.

For the majority of people, spiritual health is intangible, invisible the notion of the spirit is purely an idea or abstract concept,Care Health United not a thing that can be monitored and measured easily like blood pressure or insulin levels. Yet our spiritual health is just as real and important as any other measurement of our well being.

Lacking the modern devices and technology used to track physical illness, we must rely upon a routine of self examination and introspection in order to gauge the health level of our spiritual selves Care Health United.

The following checklist has been designed to help determine whether your spiritual health is in need of attention.Any or all of these issues may point to a serious need to address your Care Health United.

Care Health United spiritual health and well being. Considering the important role which spiritual health plays in our overall sense of happiness and fulfillment as well as the direct connection between spiritual wellness and physical Care Health United it is unfortunate that more attention is not paid to this vital area Care Health United.

Holistic Approach To Care Health United

Holistic Approach to Care Health United, Holistic or Holism is an approach that emphasizes the whole being, the entire structure, Care Health United but looks at how each part affects the whole.

Care Health United It is more like a shopping cart that has a bad wheel, which affects and vibrates the entire cart.These toxins develop free radicals (oxidation, which is rust in the body). Unless we offset the free radicals with anti-oxidants, our bodies will rust from the inside out Care Health United. As we mature, our body continually changes; remove one critical molecule, Care Health United or let one cancer cell become a rogue, and the entire structure changes.

Care Health United A good diet, plenty of rest, re-learning how to breath effectively,Care Health United drinking good water every day, learning how to handle stress, having a good exercise program and learning how to turn your life over to a Higher Power Care Health United.

Care Health United Conscious Individuals Are Turning To Flax

How Flax Seed Improves Your Care Health United! More and more, Care Health United-conscious individuals are turning to flax seed and it”s inherent flax seed oil as a natural Care Health United, affordable solution.

One that can help you feel healthier and lose weight? without side effects Care Health United.Flax is a grain crop which has several substances that can be healthy. Care Health United It has fiber, omega-3 fatty acids and lignans. You can add flax to your diet by either using the flaxseeds or flaxseed oil Care Health United.

Their color ranges from deep amber to reddish brown depending upon whether the flax is of the golden or brown variety. While whole flaxseeds feature a soft crunch Care Health United, the nutrients in ground seeds are more easily absorbed.Today flax is experiencing a renaissance among nutritionists, the health conscious public,Care Health United food processors, and chefs alike!

Label Owners Connecticut Problems Care Health United

Care Health United Termini is also chief executive officer of Haven Healthcare, a Middletown-based company that runs 25 nursing homes in New England, including 15 in Connecticut.Care Health United Haven has been fined more than 45 times in three years by state and federal health agencies for poor patient care.

Cooper said Tritt has had his own difficulties with the record label, but would not elaborate Care Health United. He said Tritt is particularly concerned about reports of poor conditions at Haven Healthcare's nursing homes.

Termini this week said he was angered and shocked by the allegations, Care Health United and he denied using Medicaid money improperly. He said the money spent on the record label and a lakefront house in Middlefield came from refinancing some of Haven Healthcare's properties,Care Health United transactions he said did not affect patient care.

Termini, who declined to comment on Cooper's statements Tuesday, said Haven Healthcare acted quickly to address problems found at the nursing homes by state inspectors Care Health United. He added that the company has spent $10 million to increase staffing, and insisted that his nursing homes provide excellent Care Health United.

Candidates For Governor Turn To Care Health United

Carney also favors universal health care and last week announced Care Health United a proposal to eliminate premiums for low-income families whose children are eligible for Care Health United, but not enrolled in, the State Child Health Insurance Program.

Care Health United Only about 36 percent of eligible children are enrolled, Carney said, and about 2,000 who were enrolled at one time have dropped out because of the monthly premiums. More children, he said, would get regular health care if their families didn't have to worry about the premiums Care Health United . He plans to push that proposal in Dover next year.

Improving the state's enrollment rate in Medicaid and the state's Healthy Children Program by providing subsidies for premiums,Care Health United and making it easier to enroll by allowing hospitals and schools to enroll eligible newborns and their siblings and reducing red tape.

Markell's proposal includes some initiatives being tried elsewhere, including proposals that require employers to provide coverage, pay into a state fund,Care Health United or allow pre-tax deductions to cover employees' plans. Others suggest taxing tobacco, hospital revenue or dipping into lottery income to help pay for such programs Care Health United.

Care Health United Crist Announces Site Rating State Performance Using Govt

The results Care Health United on the first scorecards are nearly all positive Care Health United . Twenty of the 35 grades are green arrows. There are only two red arrows, Care Health United one for access to health care and rehabilitative services and other for the housing market Care Health United.

Care Health United access is worsening in part due to an increasing number of Floridians without health insurance - nearly 3.8 million including 647,000 children at last count Care Health United . The housing market got a red arrow because home sales dropped by 25 percent last year Care Health United.

The scorecard has a yellow arrow Care Health United for high school completion based on the state's data for three indicators including a 71 percent graduation rate. There's no comparison with other states. Care Health United A national study by Education Week magazine, though, put Florida at only 60.5 percent,Care Health United one of the worst rates in the country.

Care Health United Stem Cell Science Unlikely To Escape Politics

Seeking a compromise Care Health United , Bush in 2001 limited federal funding for embryonic research to existing cell lines. About 20 of those lines are still around, but some scientists say the lines have become genetically degraded and are ill-suited for research Care Health United . This summer, Bush signed an order directing the National Institutes of Health to look for promising alternatives to embryonic research and specifically singled out the work on skin cells.

But the head of the National Institutes of Health stem cell task force said it would be a mistake for scientists to back away from research on embryonic cells Care Health United . Dr. Story Landis said the breakthrough with mature cells was possible in part because of earlier work with embryonic cells. "This does not obviate the need for human embryonic stem cell research," Landis said Care Health United.