World's AIDS DAY 2009 > Universal Access and Human Rights

“The theme of this year’s World AIDS Day is Universal Access and Human Rights. For me, that means doing everything we can to support countries to reach their universal access goals for HIV prevention, treatment, care and support – all the while protecting and promoting human rights.”

- UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibé
2009 World AIDS Day message

Posted by Jeri_at_Health on Monday, November 30, 2009 11:39 AM

It’s been 28 years since AIDS was first identified in the United States. Many still believe the virus to be one that belongs to sub-Saharan Africa. Yet, more people than ever before are living with HIV today in America.
At the end of 2007, the CDC estimated that 468,578 of us live with AIDS, up by 20,000 since 2006. The real story though is that many public health officials believe the actual number to be around 1.1 million. This large discrepancy is due to factors like anonymous testing services and those who may be living with the infection but have not yet been diagnosed.
On World AIDS Day 2009, I wondered where we are now. Here’s a snapshot of where HIV lives in America today, who is at risk, and what’s being done to curb this persistent epidemic.
1. Gender prevalence
Just over 75 percent of adults and adolescents living with AIDS are men.
2. Race prevalence
The three leading groups most impacted by the infection are black/African American at 44.1 percent, white at 35.1 percent, and Hispanic/Latino at 19.1 percent.
3. How are we infected?
More than two-thirds of infections in the U.S. occur via male-to-male sexual contact. Heterosexual contact accounted for 83 percent of diagnoses among women.  Injection drug use was the culprit in 10 percent of male and 16 percent of female diagnoses in 2007. HIV was diagnosed in 159 children in 2007, all but 20 who became infected by mother-to-child transmission.
4. Where does the infection live?
The HIV/AIDS epidemic in America was once concentrated mainly in the gay populations on the East and West coasts. However, in recent years AIDS has become increasingly prevalent within black and Latino communities in many Southern states. Highest infection concentrations were found in Texas, California, Florida, Georgia and New York. The lowest numbers were in Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. In 2007, the highest rates of new diagnoses were in Miami, New Orleans, and Washington D.C.
5. What prevention efforts have been most successful?
One of the most successful efforts toward prevention has been intervention of mother-to-child transmission and antiviral therapies. Mother-to-child transmission has been drastically reduced in the U.S. due to access to antiretroviral therapies, testing and counseling, and safer delivery practices.
6. Stigma
In October 2009, President Obama announced that America’s ban on entry into the country for HIV positive people, would be lifted as of January 2010. The ban, which was instituted in 1987, restricted all HIV positive people from entering the country, whether they were on holiday or visiting on a longer-term basis. Those who did not hold an approved medical waiver form (which was often difficult to acquire) risked being barred entry or deported if they test HIV positive or were found to be carrying antiretroviral medication.
7. Government funding
The 2009 budget request for HIV and AIDS domestic spending is estimated at just over $18 billion. Of this, roughly 68 percent is for care, 15 percent for research, 10 percent for cash and housing assistance, and 4 percent for prevention.
8. Children and HIV
Approximately 9,000 children under 13 years of age have been diagnosed with AIDS in America. Of those, close to 90 percent were likely infected via mother-to-child transmission. Most others were infected through receipt of blood, blood products or tissue.

Today’s a day to take action. Talk about HIV prevention with your friends and family. If you’ve engaged in high risk behaviors, get tested for HIV and most importantly, support those living with HIV and AIDS with your compassion and understanding.

Sources: CDC Statistics, Avert

More on HIV/AIDs

What are the symptoms of HIV and AIDS?

Treatment Options

Black Women’s Burden: An Epidemic of HIV

KFC and Pizza Hut Restaurant Opening

KATHMANDU, November 23: Devyani International, under the umbrella of Ravi Kant Jaipuria’s RJ Corp, here today announced the arrival of Pizza Hut & KFC restaurants here, marking the first multinational chain of restaurants coming to Nepal.

RJ Corp is the biggest bottler of Pepsi brands in India and Nepal and also largest franchisee for YUM brands in India namely, Pizza Hut and KFC. Devyani International along with YUM Brands, the world’s largest restaurant company with five dynamic global brands and 35,000 outlets across 105 countries, is excited to make their entry in the Nepalese restaurant circle and has extensive plans for growth and expansion in this market.

With the belief that consumers in Nepal are ready for international eating-out experience they have launched their first two outlets at Durbar Marg. As stated by the officials of R J Corp, Nepal is a promising market for these brands and their entry will give the Nepali economy a boost by creating job opportunities for locals. The opening of these two outlets would give Nepali consumers the first local experience of an international food chain. They have promised an upcoming rush of announcements and product launches that will make this an exciting time for consumers.

NMB Bank Limited is the financial partner of Devyani International for bringing Pizza Hut and KFC to Nepal.

KFC Opening

KFC
Veggie Snacker (Burger) – Rs 69
Chicken Snacker(Burger) - Rs 79
Hot wings (3 pc) - Rs 119
Boneless chicken strips with Salsa - Rs 149
Zinger Burger - Rs 149
Veggie Feast Meal (Burger) – Rs 209
Zinger Meal (Burger) - Rs 259
Chicken Meal (3 pc) - Rs 339
Chicken Large Bucket (12 pc) - Rs 899
Hot Wings Large Bucket (40 pc) - Rs 899

Pizza Hut Opening

Pizzas @ Pizza Hut

Beginning the midnight of April 9 till midnight of April 10, the vehicles will have to remain off the roads.

Only the vehicles carrying special passes distributed by district administration officials will be allowed to ply during that period.

(Source: Nepalnews)

violating the election code of conduct.

According to EC Commissioner Nil Kantha Upreti, the EC decided to reject some candidates as they were found underage (below 25) and some others as they had filed nominations both under the proportional and

first-past-the-post electoral systems.

Similarly, some other disqualified candidates were found to have filed nominations under more than one party while yet others were declared ineligible as they did not furnish their citizenship papers before the EC by the Wednesday deadline, according to Upreti.

In an interview to Kantipur Television, EC commissioner Upreti said that the EC would make an announcement in this connection on Friday.

Upreti further said EC has also begun taking action against those found breaching the election code of conduct. It has already sought clarifications from four candidates for obstructing the campaigning of other political parties, according to Upreti.

According to EC sources, the candidates who have been asked clarifications are Govinda Raj Joshi (NC, Tanahun), Tara Narayan Shrestha (CPN-M, Ramechhap), Prem Tamang (CPN-M, Rasuwa) and Kanchha Ram Tamang (CPN-U, Kavre).

They have been asked to explain within 24 hours why the EC should not take action against them.

The source said that Joshi has been accused of carrying weapons while electioneering, while Shrestha and Tamang have been accused of attacking CPN-UML candidate Dev Shankar Poudel and NC candidate Bal Chandra Poudel respectively. Similarly, the EC has sought clarifications from Kanchha Ram Tamang, accusing him of attacking PFN candidate Kaman Singh Lama.

The EC has announced that the election in Bhojpur-2 would be held on April 10 as RPP did not file nomination in place of its candidate Parsu Ram Rai who passed away early this week. Earlier, EC had rescheduled

election in that constituency for April 17, following Rai’s sudden death.

Meanwhile, reviewing a previous decision, the Election Commission (EC) on Thursday announced that it has increased the amount of insurance cover for all officials deputed to different parts of the country for conducting the upcoming CA poll.

According to the EC, all officials deployed for the election are entitled to accident insurance of Rs 1.5 million, up Rs 1 million from what was decided earlier.

Similarly, the EC has issued directives to all election officers to take the initiative toward departmental action against government employees who dilly dally over assuming the responsibilities assigned to them. The EC has also directed all election officers to suspend and initiate further action against such persons as per the Election Commission Act-2063.

(Source: eKantipur)

(Source: The Himalayan Times)

The administration made it clear that the public places include hotels, restaurants and shops as well. It has also prohibited anyone from carrying weapons including khukuris, vaalas and lathis and has forbidden any activities that may spread fear among the people during the election period.
The district administration has warned that it will punish those who defy these laws.

(source: eKantipur)

According to Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel, all long and short haul vehicular movement would be halted during that period to avoid any untoward incidents in course of the election.

However, he said the EC has yet to discuss with security chiefs whether to extend that period or not.

“Before taking such a decision the EC has to think practically about people who want to leave for their respective constituencies on the last day before polling,” he added.

(Source: eKantipur)

(Source: The Himalayan Times)

Expressing displeasure over Nepal’s handling of Tibetans’ protest in Nepal, Xianglin said Nepal should shoulder full responsibility for the damages occurred to Chinese embassy by the Tibetan protesters recently and take measures to prevent such activities in future.

Organising a press conference at the Chinese embassy in Baluwatar, envoy Xianglin accused the ‘Dalai clique’ and other foreign forces including the organisations championing for ‘Free Tibet’ worldwide of helping the anti-China activities in Nepal.

“The ringleaders of Tibetan organisations here, some of whom are plotting behind and some are conducting protests urged the Tibetans to storm into the embassy,” he said.

He also said that the foreign forces behind the protests in Nepal were interfering the internal affairs of other country and seeking to worsen the friendly relation between Nepal and China.

Saying that Nepal was facing outside pressure to allow the protesters to continue their political activities, the Chinese envoy hoped Nepal would continue to adhere to ‘One China Policy.’

He blamed the ‘separatist’ Tibetans of attacking the Tibetans supporting ‘One China’ policy at Baudda of Kathmandu.

During the press meet, the journalists were also shown a documentary made by CCTV international on Lhasa violence which showed plight of people affected by the violence.

(Source: Nepalnews)