Challenges in HIV Prevention
This fact sheet discusses HIV prevention challenges in the U.S. It states that each year in the United States, approximately 50,000 people become infected with HIV, and nearly 13,000 people with AIDS die annually.
Health Planners
The Growing Threat of Multidrug-Resistant Gonorrhea
This session of Grand Rounds explored the development of antibiotic resistance in gonorrhea as a growing public health concern because the United States gonorrhea control relies on effective antibiotic therapy. Topics discussed include Neisseria Gonorrhoeae Infections and antimicrobial treatment: Public health context and challenges; Molecular basis of resistance and importance of the laboratory in detection of resistance; Tools to combat multidrug resistance; and What public health can do now and in the future.
Black Americans and HIV/AIDS
This information sheet provides epidemiologic information on African Americans and HIV/AIDS. It provides statistics related to age, gender, transmission method, geography, treatment, and service utilization.
HIV/AIDS in Urban and Nonurban Areas of the United States; HIV/AIDS Surveillance Supplemental Report
This report focuses on the geographic distribution of HIV/AIDS in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas of the United States. Over 85% of cumulative adult/adolescent AIDS cases have been reported from large metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and approximately 6% from nonmetropolitan areas. In 1999, 82% were reported from large MSAs, and 7% from nonmetropolitan areas. In contrast, 62% of the general adult population of the United States lives in large metropolitan areas, 17% in medium size metropolitan areas, and 20% of the population lives in nonmetropolitan areas.
The Wiseguide. Your Complete, No-nonsense Guide to Non-profit Communications
The Wiseguide is a comprehensive collection of all the basic knowledge, skills, and tools needed to get media attention, raise money, and build partnerships- including tips, suggestions, and success stories from the professionals and other community-based AIDS organizations (CBAOs). Everything from writing and distributing a news release to negotiating and drafting a partnership agreement is covered in this guide in a straightforward approach.
Access to Sterile Syringes
This information sheet discusses the necessity for injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, to have access to sterile syringes in order to prevent the spread of HIV. The sheet explains that (1) the method used to prepare and inject drugs offers many opportunities for the spread of HIV and hepatitis viruses, (2) IDUs do not generally have access to sterile syrnges because most states have laws that restrict the sale and distribution of sterile syringes, and (3) safe disposal of used syringes is also a concern.
Policy Efforts to Increase IDUs' Access to Sterile Syringes
This information sheet explains that in order to reduce the transmission of HIV and other blood-borne infections, injecting drug users (IDUs), who cannot or will not stop injecting drugs, must have access to sterile syringes and injection equipment. However, many laws and regulations prohibit IDUs from purchasing these items. Some states have changed these laws and regulations and have seen positive results.
Pharmacy Sales of Sterile Syringes
This information sheet discusses the role of pharmacies in efforts to help injecting drug users (IDUs) gain access to sterile syringes and equipment in order to reduce their risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and other blood-borne diseases.The information sheet lists advantages of pharmacy sales, the barriers to pharmacy sales, the changes that some states have made to legalize pharmacy sales, and suggestions for encouraging more pharmacy sales of syringes to IDUs who will not or cannot stop injecting drugs.
Syringe Exchange Programs
This information sheet supports the use of syringe exchange programs (SEPs) for injecting drug users, who will not or cannot stop injecting drugs, as one method of lowering the risk of IDUs acquiring or transmitting HIV. SEPs allow IDUs to safely dispose of used syringes and obtain sterile ones at no cost and offer prevention and health care education and services. The information sheet discusses the public health impact of SEPs and considers the challenges for SEPs and ways of supporting access to sterile syringes through SEPs.
Syringe Disposal
This information sheet discusses the problem of safe disposal of used syringes by diabetics as well as injecting drug users (IDUs) to prevent needlestick injuries and transmission of blood-borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. The information sheet explains the public concern with syringe disposal, presents safe disposal methods that have been used in some communities, and notes that barriers to syringe disposal programs include laws that establish criminal penalties for distribution and possession of drug paraphernalia.