Study Examines HIV Transmission Rates; Glaser Foundation Expands PMTCT Program; Media Groups To Create Global Health Event
- "Rates of HIV-1 Transmission per Coital Act, by Stage of HIV-1 Infection, in Rakai, Uganda," Journal of Infectious Diseases: The study -- conducted by Maria Wawer, a professor in the department of population and family health at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and colleagues -- shows that the rate of HIV transmission through heterosexual intercourse varies throughout the course of infection but is highest during the early stages of HIV infection (Wawer et al., Journal of Infectious Diseases, 4/6).
- "Expanded Initiative To Prevent Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV," Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Johnson & Johnson: The foundation on Thursday announced a $1.25 million partnership with Johnson & Johnson to begin and expand PMTCT programs in China, India, Russia, Malawi, the Republic of Georgia, Zimbabwe and the Dominican Republic. The program, which expects to reach 200,000 women annually, is an expansion of an existing two-year collaboration between the foundation and the company (EGPAF/Johnson & Johnson release, 4/7).
- "Rx for Survival: A Global Health Challenge," WGBH Boston, Vulcan Productions: The media organizations -- in partnership with PBS, TIME Magazine and Penguin Press -- on Wednesday announced that they have created a multimedia partnership that aims to educate Americans about global health problems and enroll their help in providing relief. As part of the effort, the not-for-profit groups CARE, Save the Children and UNICEF will work with the Global Health Council to create an outreach campaign to benefit children. The initiative, which is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Merck Company Foundation, also plans to launch a Web site in June and premiere a six-hour documentary television series in the fall (WGBH/Vulcan release, 4/6).