The "Science Speaks" blog reports on a recent event, hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, featuring Anthony Fauci, head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, and a related panel of experts. Fauci asked, "If you have increased global HIV prevalence and more individuals requiring antiretroviral therapy, is this an insurmountable challenge or are we going to have to rise [to the] occasion to address this?" According to the blog, "His answer was unequivocal: 'It is not insurmountable,'" (Shesgreen, 12/14).

Blog: U.S. Foreign Aid Should Address Unique Barriers Of Women

"New global challenges such as climate change, rising food and energy costs, and HIV/AIDS all undermine efforts to combat poverty in developing countries and must be better addressed. But for this to happen, our outdated foreign assistance system must be reformed to meet the needs of a changing world. reform must enable U.S. foreign assistance to better address the unique barriers women face," according to a Huffington Post blog post. "Investing in women goes well beyond the individual, as women reinvest in their children, families and communities. Programs simply will not do as well as they could without ensuring that women as well as men benefit," the author writes (Sharmu, 12/14).

Journal Of International AIDS Society Commentary Argues PMTCT Of HIV Is Not Enough

A Journal of the International AIDS Society commentary proposes interventions aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV should extend beyond prevention to improve the long-term health needs of the mother and child. "Attempts to encourage women to abstain from all breastfeeding or to shorten the optimal duration of breastfeeding have led to increases in mortality among both uninfected and infected children," the authors write. "A better approach is to support breastfeeding while strengthening programs to provide antiretroviral therapy for pregnant and lactating women who need it and offering antiretroviral drug interventions through the duration of breastfeeding" (Kuhn et al., 12/11).

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