Date: Tue, 25 Jan 1994 09:25:22 -0500 (EST) From: "ANNE WILSON, CDC NAC" Subject: CDC AIDS DAILY SUMMARY 01/25/94 AIDS Daily Summary January 25, 1994 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement by the CDC, the CDC Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC Clearinghouse should be cited as the source of this information. Copyright 1993, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD "U.S. Data on AIDS to Be Free" New York Times (01/25/94) P. C6 (Altman, Lawrence K.) In an effort to increase public awareness about AIDS and alleviate the strain on private AIDS organizations, the government plans to offer free, unlimited access to its AIDS-related databases. The databases, compiled by the National Library of Medicine, list primarily technical articles, books and abstracts concerning AIDS and HIV, as well as information on licensed and experimental drugs. There previously was a user fee of $1.25 per search, averaging $18 per hour, but the library decided to waive it because members of community organizations said they could not afford those charges. The library was able to offer the service at no cost because of recent increases in its AIDS funding. Any individual or organization wishing to use the databases will be issued a password on request. The library's four AIDS-related databases include AIDSline, a list of more than 90,000 references to journal articles, books, audiovisuals, and conference abstracts; Aidstrials, current information about more than 500 clinical trials of drugs and vaccines; Aidsdrugs, a dictionary of licensed anti-HIV treatments in clinical trials; and Dirline, a compilation of more than 2,300 organizations and services providing information on AIDS and HIV to the public. "Insurer Aetna Targets AIDS in Asia" Reuters (01/25/94) Hong Kong--Aetna Life & Casualty Co.'s Asia-Pacific branch is sponsoring a campaign to mobilize the business community in the battle against AIDS in Asia. The insurance company, in collaboration with the World Health Organization and the Harvard AIDS Institute, plans to conduct one-day seminars in April for Hong Kong, Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur, where the groups also intend to form business committees to supplement anti-AIDS organizations already in place. "The aim is not to hijack public health policy, but business needs to understand that as the AIDS epidemic progresses in Asia, it is going to have an impact on the workforce," notes Stephen Moskey, director for consumer issues at Aetna. "Business and industry have a vested interest in promoting AIDS awareness." WHO statistics indicate that Asia hosts an HIV population close to one million people, with the ratio of women to men much higher than found in other parts of the world. "Magic Johnson's Indonesia" Reuters (01/25/94) (Sinaga, Simon) Jakarta--The promotional firm which asked former NBA legend Magic Johnson to play exhibition basketball in Indonesia has retracted that invitation because of the Olympian's HIV infection. Controversy has centered around whether Johnson would be admitted to the country to play in fundraising basketball games. Immigration officials said they would bar Johnson's entry under a law banning people with infectious diseases. Health officials and doctors, however, criticized plans to refuse entry to the player, saying that there was no need to fear that he would spread the virus. Escobat Gani, dean of the public health facility at University of Indonesia, contended that Indonesia's prohibition of Magic Johnson would be a violation of a World Health Organization consensus. But Marcel Maulana, director of promotion and corporate events for Point, the firm that invited Johnson, maintained that Johnson's impending arrival led to disputes and could cause trouble for the government. "The plan to present the renowned U.S. basketball player Earvin "Magic" Johnson for an AIDS campaign in Indonesia has caused pros and cons that led to polemics that could place the government in a difficult position," said Maulana. He said that plans for "Magic Johnson's All Stars" team to conduct their AIDS awareness and fundraising campaign in Indonesia are still intact. "The Ghost of 'Philadelphia'" Washington Post (01/25/94) P. C1 (Blumenfeld, Laura) The nationwide release of the film "Philadelphia," which chronicles the real-life AIDS drama of an infected attorney who sues his firm for discrimination when he is fired, may have a particularly haunting effect on one political career. One of the cases after which the movie was modeled involved 37-year-old Clarence Cain, an attorney with Hyatt Legal Services. Cain was dismissed from his position as a regional partner when he admitted after a bout with pneumonia that he did, in fact, have AIDS. His termination was approved by the head of the chain, 27-year-old Joel Hyatt, who is now running for Senate. Now, "Philadelphia" is being used by opponents to embarrass Hyatt, and "not out of concern for Clarence Cain or the AIDS issue," says Hyatt. But since the lawsuit, Hyatt has apologized for its treatment of Cain, and claims to have grown from the experience. "We made a big mistake," he says. "The manner in which we responded to Clarence's illness was inappropriate. I tried to make it right, but it was too late." He says that he now understands better than other people that people with AIDS need to be treated with compassion. Hyatt's tone is one of regret, but it also contains a plea that this mistake not cause his political downfall. As a senator, Hyatt pledges to work to increase AIDS research and education. "Activists Warn Homelessness Growing Among People With AIDS" United Press International (01/24/94) (Miller, Tracey L.) New York--People with AIDS are increasingly adding to the nation's swelling homeless population, warn activists from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, which formed a new AIDS Housing Network and held its first conference on the issue on Monday. The situations of homeless individuals with AIDS jeopardize their struggle to survive, and strain the demands on social services agencies. The Alliance reports that between 15 and 30 percent of homeless people across the country are HIV-positive, and says that rate is expected to increase. It has evolved into a common problem because dire financial situations have increased even as education and medical breakthroughs have raised life expectancy, says Regina Quattrochi, director of New York City's AIDS Resource Center. More than 1.5 million Americans are infected with HIV. Of that figure, the Alliance estimates that as many as one-half of all people with full-blown AIDS are either homeless or in danger of becoming homeless because of their illness, inability to work, and insufficient social services agency support. Michael Mayer, director of programs for the Alliance, says his organization hopes to focus on common sense methods of combating the problem. "We need to focus on prevention," he says. "In the long run, if we help pay for utilities, for mortgage payments, it will cost much less than if they become homeless." "Kathy Mattea Takes Time Out for 15 Seconds of Fame in a Movie" Chicago Tribune (01/24/94) P. 2-3 (Hurst, Jack) Kathy Mattea, the country musician who is greatly responsible for a celebrity album to benefit AIDS research, became an activist somewhat by chance. She first came to the forefront of Nashville's battle against AIDS in 1992 when she insisted on wearing not only a green environmental-awareness ribbon, but a symbolic red AIDS ribbon as well at a country awards show. When challenged by a Nashville newspaper to "put my money where my mouth is," Mattea did. Her few, discreet remarks about AIDS on several different awards shows resulted in Mattea being handed responsibility for "Red, Hot + Country." The album is due for release in April. "Elders Defends Condom Ads, Abortion Provision of Health Care Plan" United Press International (01/21/94) (Langford, Mark) Austin, Texas--The government has no intention of discontinuing television ads promoting condom use, Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders confirmed on Friday, adding that the ads are less sensational than many other things that children constantly view on national television. Preaching sexual abstinence only will not protect the nation's youth from unplanned pregnancies, AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases, she said. "We all want our children to be abstinate, but you can't walk in there and give an abstinence lecture," said Elders. "You've got to start early to [teach] children how to feel good about themselves, teaching them how to make decisions, teaching them about alcohol, drugs, and AIDS. It has to be comprehensive. I don't believe you can teach just a sex class." The Surgeon General also declared that there was "absolutely no data whatsoever" indicating that teaching young people about condom use results in promiscuity. In fact, she said, some studies even suggest that this type of education has led to postponed sexual activity among adolescents. "French Writer Navarre Found Dead, Radio Says" Reuters (01/24/94) Paris--French writer Yves Navarre, 1980 winner of the renowned Goncourt literary prize, was found dead in his Paris home after taking an overdose of medicine, reported France-Info radio. The 53-year-old writer had recently devoted himself to speaking out against AIDS, and had completed a book about the disease. "Volunteers Needed for New TB Drug Trial" Washington Blade (01/14/94) Vol. 25, No. 2, P. 25 The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) is seeking HIV-infected volunteers for a new clinical trial to evaluate the safety of levofloxacin, a new drug for tuberculosis. According to NIAID, levofloxacin is under consideration as a treatment for strains of TB that are resistant to standard therapies. Drug-resistant TB is an increasing problem among HIV patients, particularly those in urban areas. NIAID will enroll 13 patients with T-cell counts above 250, as well as 13 with T-cell counts under 250. Patients will receive levofloxacin once a day for 15 days, then approximately every two days for another 13 days. Participants must be healthy, 18 or older, and residents of the District of Columbia. "HIV Prevention Practices of Primary-Care Physicians--United States, 1992" Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (01/07/94) Vol. 42, Nos. 51 & 52, P. 988 The findings of a recent survey completed by 2,545 primary-care physicians indicates that, by failing to counsel patients with AIDS, many doctors are missing crucial opportunities to help curb the spread of the disease. The study revealed that a surprising number of doctors failed to even obtain sexual histories of new patients. However, most doctors reported that if HIV testing were indicated for a patient, they would provide test counseling themselves, and an overwhelming majority said they would counsel an HIV-positive patient to lower the chances of transmission. Of those who said they would refer HIV patients, 83 cited lack of experience with the virus as their reason. Ninety-four percent quoted the availability of other providers with more knowledge of HIV treatment. Overall, however, 68 percent said they felt an obligation to treat an infected patient, and 87 percent said professional training could help "increase their comfort in caring for AIDS patients." The study concludes that providers need to be knowledgeable about HIV and its transmission, and realize the importance of assessing patient risk for HIV and preparing to counsel patients based on that risk. Finally, medical schools and professional organizations should continue to emphasize HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment in training new and established physicians.