In South Africa’s richest area, mother-to-baby HIV transmission is a concern despite free prevention

In South Africa’s richest area, mother-to-baby HIV transmission is a concern despite free prevention

PRETORIA, South Africa — It’s a worrying question for health officials in one of the richest and most developed areas of the African continent: Why are babies being born with HIV when free medication is available to prevent mother-to-child transmission? In the first half of this year, 232 babies were born with HIV in South … Read more

Experts say a twice-yearly injection that offers 100% protection against HIV is ‘stunning’

Experts say a twice-yearly injection that offers 100% protection against HIV is ‘stunning’

CAPE TOWN, South Africa — Twice-yearly shots used to treat AIDS were 100% effective in preventing new infections in women, according to study results published Wednesday. There were no infections in the young women and girls that got the shots in a study of about 5,000 in South Africa and Uganda, researchers reported. In a … Read more

Justice Department charges nearly 200 people in $2.7 billion health care fraud schemes crackdown

Justice Department charges nearly 200 people in .7 billion health care fraud schemes crackdown

WASHINGTON — Nearly 200 people have been charged in a sweeping nationwide crackdown on health care fraud schemes with false claims topping $2.7 billion, the Justice Department said on Thursday. Attorney General Merrick Garland announced the charges against doctors, nurse practitioners and others across the U.S. accused of a variety of scams, including a $900 … Read more

Young gay Latinos see a rising share of new HIV cases, leading to a call for targeted funding

Young gay Latinos see a rising share of new HIV cases, leading to a call for targeted funding

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Four months after seeking asylum in the U.S., Fernando Hermida began coughing and feeling tired. He thought it was a cold. Then sores appeared in his groin and he would soak his bed with sweat. He took a test. On New Year’s Day 2022, at age 31, Hermida learned he had HIV. … Read more

LOCALIZE IT: HIV cases are on the rise in young gay Latinos, especially in the Southeast

LOCALIZE IT: HIV cases are on the rise in young gay Latinos, especially in the Southeast

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS: While estimated new HIV infection rates declined 23% in the United States from 2012 to 2022, a KFF Health News-Associated Press analysis found the rate has not fallen for Latinos as much as it has for other racial and ethnic groups. The analysis found Latinos are experiencing a disproportionate number … Read more

Federal appeals court says some employers can exclude HIV prep from insurance coverage

Federal appeals court says some employers can exclude HIV prep from insurance coverage

NEW ORLEANS — Employers who challenged some federal health insurance requirements cannot be forced to provide no-cost coverage for certain types of preventive care, including HIV prep and some kinds of cancer screenings, a federal appeals court in New Orleans ruled Friday. The ruling from the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is narrow, applying … Read more

In South Africa, traditional healers join the fight against HIV. Stigma remains high in rural areas

In South Africa, traditional healers join the fight against HIV. Stigma remains high in rural areas

BUSHBUCKRIDGE, South Africa — The walls of Shadrack Mashabane’s hut in the rural South African town of Bushbuckridge are covered with traditional fabrics, with a small window the only source of light. What stands out among the herbs and medicines in glass bottles is a white box containing an HIV testing kit. Mashabane is one … Read more

Demi Moore, Cher and more stars raise money for AIDS research at amfAR gala near Cannes

Demi Moore, Cher and more stars raise money for AIDS research at amfAR gala near Cannes

ANTIBES, France — Some of the biggest stars in the French Rivera for the Cannes Film Festival made appearances at the 30th annual amfAR gala to raise money for AIDS research. Demi Moore, whose film “The Substance” caused a stir at Cannes, hosted this year’s gala, a role launched by Elizabeth Taylor in 1993. The … Read more

US pediatricians group reverses decades-old ban on breastfeeding for those with HIV

US pediatricians group reverses decades-old ban on breastfeeding for those with HIV

People with HIV can breastfeed their babies, as long as they are taking medications that effectively suppress the virus that causes AIDS, a top U.S. pediatricians’ group said Monday in a sharp policy change. The new report from the American Academy of Pediatrics reverses recommendations it had in place since the start of the HIV … Read more

Bill Clinton reflects on post-White House years in the upcoming memoir ‘Citizen’

Bill Clinton reflects on post-White House years in the upcoming memoir ‘Citizen’

NEW YORK — NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton has a memoir coming out this fall about his years since leaving public office in 2001. “Citizen: My Life After the White House” will cover everything from the presidential campaigns of his wife, Hillary Clinton, to his views on events ranging from the Jan. … Read more