At the Global Health Council Conference [11], I attended an interesting event, “Impact of Schistosomiasis and Polyparasitic Infections on Anemia, Growth and Physical Fitness in Children in Coastal Kenya” presented by  Dr. Amaya Bustinduy of Case Western Reserve University which focused on neglected tropical diseases (NTD) [12].

Schistosomiasis remains one of the most serious and prevalent neglected tropical diseases worldwide.  According to Bustinduy, the WHO estimated that there are 235 million cases of schistosomiasis with 732 million to be at risk for contraction. 89% of  all cases live in the less-developed areas of rural sub-Saharan Africa and South America.

Schistosomiasis is associated with diseases such as anemia, growth impairment in children, and mental retardation.  The focus of Dr. Bustinduy’s ongoing study in Kenya is to “address those morbidities as part of a larger study examining the ecology of transmission of Schistosomiasis.”

Originally appeared in GLOBAL HEALTH magazine. [23]

Men who have sex with men (MSM) bear a disproportionate share of the HIV/AIDS burden in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, but data on and services for this population are woefully inadequate. With a better understanding of this marginalized community's needs, donors and implementers can help support effective policies and programs for MSM infected and affected by HIV.

In Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as in many parts of the world, the HIV epidemic among MSM is underreported and under”acknowledged. The lack of official reports on HIV among men who have sex with men might enable governments to avoid prioritizing or even offering interventions, and HIV programmers can fail to reach those most in need.

Without the data and analysis of MSM issues it is easy for governments and HIV/AIDS programmers to not develop MSM programs and interventions as: (a) no data means it can look like MSM is not a problem and therefore not a priority and (b) lack of recognition of the issue means that it is easy for governments'/programmers' own homophobia to get in the way of developing programming.

The South African Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, provided a clear picture of a new era of HIV & AIDS care, treatment, and prevention in South Africa at the International AIDS Conference on Tuesday morning.

All of South Africa is united behind one goal of fighting HIV & AIDS,  he said.  Dr. Motsoaledi stands behind a firm commitment to human rights, “access to care, treatment, and prevention is a human right.”

He is working with the Government of South Africa to ensure universal access in their country. “Human rights are not a threat to democracy, but a sign of good governance,” he said.

29% of South Africa’s population has HIV & AIDS, “The new infection rate seems to have stabilized, but this number is extraordinarily high, and unacceptable,” said Dr. Motsoaledi

The Government’s national strategy plan has two targets to reach by the end of 2011. First, to reduce the number of new infections by half; and second, to provide care and support to 85% of those effected by HIV & AIDS.

This past April, the Government of South Africa started a testing campaign; the goal is to test 15 million South Africans. The leaders of the national government paved the way for the movement by getting tested first.

At the International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria [34], my colleagues and I gathered to discuss the principles of smart integration [38]and its challenges, successes, and recommendations for implementation. 

Smart integration means coordinating HIV & AIDS programs with other health programs that have operated independently in the past; providing comprehensive services at all levels of the health system – from households to health facilities and across the continuum of prevention, treatment, and care; and building stronger partnerships between public and private sectors.

There are three perspectives of integration that must be kept in mind when discussing integration – the client, provider, and the efficiency. Smart integration is important now because AIDS has become a chronic disease and we need to move away from the emergency response interventions.