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Scientists Halt Epilepsy In Mice
Scientists at Leeds have prevented epilepsy caused by a gene defect from being passed on to mice offspring - an achievement which may herald new therapies for people suffering from the condition.
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Cholesterol-Regulating Genes Identified By Scientists
Scientists at the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the University of Heidelberg, Germany, have come a step closer to understanding how cholesterol levels are regulated. In a study published in the journal Cell Metabolism, the researchers identified 20 genes that are involved in this process. Besides giving scientists a better idea of where to look to uncover the mechanisms that ensure cholesterol balance is maintained, the discovery could lead to new treatments for cholesterol-related diseases.
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Obama Highlights U.S. Commitment To Reducing Maternal Mortality, HIV/AIDS In Address To Africa
In a speech before the Ghanaian Parliament, President Obama on Saturday reiterated U.S. support for public health programs that will reduce maternal mortality and the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa, the New York Times reports. The speech, which was televised across the continent, focused on international relations with Africa and empowering African nations to address problems (Baker, New York Times, 7/12).In a portion of the speech about strengthening public health, Obama said that there has been "enormous progress ... in parts of Africa" in recent years. He continued, "Far more people are living productively with HIV/AIDS, and getting the drugs they need. But too many still die from diseases that shouldn"t kill them." He added, "When children are being killed because of a mosquito bite, and mothers are dying in childbirth, then we know that more progress must be made." Obama said that "incentives often provided by donor nations" often compel doctors and nurses to "go overseas, or work for programs that focus on a single disease," which "creates gaps in primary care and basic prevention." He also said that Africans must "make responsible choices that prevent the spread of disease, while promoting public health in their communities and countries."Obama noted that the U.S. has committed $63 billion "to meet these challenges." He added that the U.S. will not "confront illnesses in isolation" but instead "invest in public health systems that promote wellness and focus on the health of mothers and children" (AP/USA Today, 7/11). Obama also visited a women"s clinic to highlight U.S-backed programs to fight infant and maternal mortality (New York Times, 7/12).
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HIVMA Supports Public Plan Option To Ensure Patients' Needs Are Met

As Congress drafts health care reform legislation, HIV clinicians urge lawmakers to include a public plan option to ensure affordable access to comprehensive care for HIV patients - nearly 30 percent of whom have no insurance. The HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA) believes that a public plan option can help offer everyone the chance to benefit from early and reliable access to lifesaving HIV care and treatment. "HIV treatment is one of the most effective medical interventions available today, but it requires ongoing access to high-cost medications and services over the course of a patient"s lifetime," said Michael S. Saag, MD, FIDSA, HIVMA chair-elect. "People with chronic conditions like HIV are not attractive to most private insurers." HIVMA is particularly concerned that private insurers will discourage HIV patients from enrolling in their plans by excluding HIV clinicians and programs from their provider networks. HIV treatment delivered by an experienced HIV provider results in better patient outcomes and more cost-effective care. Only 17 percent of HIV patients have private insurance coverage, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Fifty-four percent rely on Medicaid and/or Medicare, while 29 percent are completely uninsured. Even if potential safeguards were in place requiring private insurance plans to include HIV health care providers, it would be difficult to ensure the adequacy of HIV provider networks in the numerous private plans that likely will be available across the country. "The availability of a public plan option will ensure a reliable coverage option is available to people with HIV no matter where they live in the U.S.," said Arlene Bardeguez, MD, MPH, HIVMA chair. "A public plan option will better ensure all of our patients have the opportunity to benefit from HIV treatment and live healthy and productive lives." Today, HIVMA released a position statement, which has also been adopted by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), outlining additional reasons a public plan option is so important for people with HIV: * A public plan option would offer greater dependability, consistency and security than private plans, which can close, merge or change benefits at will. * Even in a well-regulated private insurance market, such as the Medicare Part D prescription drug program, private plans have limited patients" access to drugs by charging high co-payments for HIV medications and imposing burdensome prior authorization requirements on non-HIV medications. The purchasing power of a public plan option would offer greater opportunities to lower the cost of these drugs and other services. * Traditionally, public programs, such as Medicare, have been leaders in developing and supporting innovative chronic disease management approaches, such as the medical home model. The coordinated, comprehensive approach offered by medical homes is critical to keeping many people with HIV in treatment and addressing their complex health care needs. HIVMA also released a set of health care reform principles for meeting the needs of people living with HIV. The principles outline the needs any national health care reform plan must meet to ensure HIV patients receive the proper care, stem the spread of the epidemic, improve care quality, and reduce costs. HIVMA is the professional home for more than 3,600 physicians, scientists and other health care professionals dedicated to the field of HIV/AIDS. Nested within the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), HIVMA promotes quality in HIV care and advocates policies that ensure a comprehensive and humane response to the AIDS pandemic informed by science and social justice. IDSA is a professional society representing more than 8,600 physicians and scientists who specialize in infectious diseases. For more information, visit our websites: www.hivma.org and www.idsociety.org. John Heys Infectious Diseases Society of America


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