September 9, 2010

September 9, 2010

OF NOTE THIS WEEK

Experts gathered at a joint meeting last week hosted by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization, to discuss the next steps for the tenofovir-based microbicide gel, which was found to be 39% effective in reducing women's risk of HIV/AIDS infection, Afrique en ligne reports. Two new studies were proposed to determine whether different populations of women--using a variety of settings, age groups and dosing schedules--will have the same level of protection as seen in the CAPRISA trial, UNAIDS said. However, according to a recent New York Times article, donors have not committed enough money to complete these important studies that could potentially provide the evidence needed to produce this gel on a large scale.

In HIV/AIDS Monitor news, a policy brief on our most recent report on AIDS donors and the health workforce has been released on our website. The brief, Think Long Term: How Global AIDS Donors Can Strengthen the Health Workforce in Africa, is available here and a Global Prosperity Wonkcast, featuring Nandini Oomman, is available here.

NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE DONORS

  • The Global Fund's regional meeting for CCMs/RCMs of Belize, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Suriname, PANCAP and OECS underway in Jamaica
  • The World Bank's forth debate in the Emerging Issues in Today's HIV Response series is scheduled for September 21. The debate topic is "Implementing PrEP".
  • UNAIDS Executive Director, Michel Sidibé, commends Japan's commitment to AIDS and the Global Fund

OTHER NEWS AND HIGHLIGHTS

HIV/AIDS MONITOR RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPACT

  • The HIV/AIDS Monitor has been tracking the policy changes among PEPFAR, the Global Fund and the World Bank MAP related to the recommendations that have come out of our research. Explore these changes using our interactive flash tool.