IHSJ Reader, May 2011
Posted on May 20, 2011
Welcome to the inaugural edition of the Institute for Health and Social Justice (IHSJ) Reader – a compendium of global health pieces which highlight important research and policy in the field. Through this bi-weekly reader, we at the IHSJ will share the news, policy and research articles, statements and reports that influence and inform our advocacy efforts. As the policy and advocacy arm of Partners In Health, the IHSJ is committed keeping you—students, academics, policy-makers and PIH supporters—informed about global health issues. This Reader is meant as a space to present various perspectives; as such, the views in these materials are not all endorsed by Partners In Health. To keep this dialogue alive, please comment on the blog to let us know what you think of the articles as well as what topics you might like us to include in future posts.
In solidarity,
The IHSJ
IHSJ Reader May 2011 Issue 1
Note: Triple asterisk (***) indicates subscription-only sources.
HIV/AIDS
Initiation of Antiretroviral Treatment Protects Uninfected Sexual Partners from HIV Infection (HPTN Study 052) (HIV Prevention Trials Network Press Release, May 12, 2011)
This comprehensive study provides the first evidence that early treatment with antiretroviral therapy for HIV infected individuals results in a 96% reduction in transmission. Additionally, the study found equally significant evidence that early ART resulted in drastically lower rates of tuberculosis.
GLOBAL HEALTH FUNDING
Crenshaw, Smith Launch Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Aid (Press Release, Representative Ander Crenshaw, May 12, 2011)
Congressmen Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) and Adam Smith (D-WA) formally launch a bipartisan group, the Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance, to improve aid effectiveness to further national security and foreign policy objectives.
Barbara Lee Leads House Passage of Legislation to Ensure Support for Victims of Devastating Earthquake in Haiti (Press Release, Representative Barbara Lee, May 10, 2011)
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 1016, led by Representative Barbara Lee. The legislation directs the U.S. government to report on the status of humanitarian, reconstruction, and development efforts in the aftermath of the earthquake in Haiti.
Healing the World: Part 1 (GlobalPost, John Donnelly, May 9, 2011)
Though the Global Health Initiative (GHI) has incredible potential with a more comprehensive approach to health care, little has happened since President Obama launched the GHI two years ago. Over the next few months, GlobalPost will examine behind the scene decisions in the Obama administration, as well as what diplomats and health experts are doing to make what they’re getting out of GHI work for their countries.
Global health aid: raise more, spend better (The Lancet-Moussa Fatimata and David Hercot, April 23, 2011)
Increased multilateral funding (from global health initiatives such as the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the GAVI Alliance, and UNICEF) should reinforce the ability of governments to engage in health systems strengthening activities rather than earmarking funding for short-term solutions that fail to improve the long-term capacity of the system.
U.S. foreign aid is not a luxury but a critical investment in global stability (The Seattle Times-U.S. Reps. Adam Smith and Jim McDermott, and Bill Clapp, April 17, 2011)
The maintenance of current foreign assistance levels is critical to America’s global stability. Demands for cuts to foreign assistance are driven by widespread misconceptions about how much of the budget is actually devoted to international investments.
HEALTH SYSTEM STRENGTHENING
(Equal) pay for (equal) work (Global Health-Julia Robinson, April 22, 2011)
Though the continuing trend has been to keep community health workers (CHWs) as volunteers, fair compensation is a moral and economic imperative. Many donor and host governments haven’t caught on to this idea, long championed by Partners In Health.
How did Sierra Leone provide free health care? (The Lancet-John Donnelly, April 23, 2011)
On April 27, 2010, Sierra Leone eliminated health user fees for pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Results after one year show that Sierra Leone’s free health-care program has substantially increased service utilization. The president’s political leadership was the key factor in ensuring free healthcare for the women and children of Sierra Leone.
HAITI
Haiti and the international aid scam (The Guardian-Mark Weisbrot, April 22, 2011)
American politicians are quick to blame corruption in Haiti for lack of progress since the earthquake, and corruption is often assumed to be exclusively a Haitian problem. But it is clear that some of it--maybe a lot--comes from the outside. It is time for the so-called international community to clean up its act.
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Rwanda launches Africa’s first nationwide cervical cancer vaccination, detection program (New Times-Edmund Kagire, May 9, 2011)
Rwanda became the first African state to have a comprehensive, coordinated plan to eliminate cervical cancer by using the Human Papilloma virus (HPV) Vaccination for girls and screening for women. The vaccination, screening and treatment of cancer is crucial in protecting the lives of women.
VIDEO: Dr. Joia Mukherjee delivers keynote address at GlobeMed Summit (PIH Talks, April 27, 2011)
Health care: a privilege, or a fundamental human right? Dr. Joia Mukherjee, Chief Medical Officer for Partners In Health, delivered a keynote address about public health and social justice to more than 300 students at GlobeMed’s national summit.
VIDEO: Reducing maternal mortality: a webcast discussion with PIH (PIH Talks, April 27, 2011)
For millions of women in the developing world, pregnancy and childbirth pose significant risks of disability or death. PIH strives to provide expectant mothers with critically important health services to make pregnancy and giving birth an occasion to celebrate life and hope.
NON-COMMUNICABLE DISEASES
***Health ministers pledge to tackle non-communicable diseases with global action (British Medical Journal-Richard Smith, May 4, 2011)
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are largely treatable and preventable, yet the WHO predicts that global mortality from NCDs will increase by over 24% in Africa from 2006-2015. Governments worldwide have yet to prioritize the fight against NCDs in low-resource settings.
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