Public health news: August 2006

More of the same needed for HIV

18 August 2006

At the closing session of the 16th International Aids Conference this week it was stressed that infrastructures for HIV prevention and treatment must continue to be strengthened in order to fully address the global epidemic.  It was reported at the Conference that over 1 million individuals are now receiving anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in sub-Saharan Africa, a ten-fold increase compared with December 2003.

Medicines, money and motivated health workers are key (WHO, August 2006)
HIV treatment access reaches over 1 million in sub-Saharan Africa (WHO, August 2006)
XVI International Aids conference (Official site, August 2006)
International & global public health (Internal link)

Faculty running curriculum consultation

6 August 2006

The Faculty of Public Health is running a consultation between 1 and 31 August on changes to Public Health Specialist training in the UK.  The Faculty website details the proposed changes, and provides an opportunity for stakeholders to respond.

Curriculum consultation (FPH, August 2006)
Public Health training  (Internal link)

Binge drinking hotspots revealed

5 August 2006

A report by the Centre for Public Health has revealed the extent of the problem of binge drinking of alcohol in the UK, including statistics suggesting nearly a third of people in Newcastle-upon-Tyne binge drink each week.

Binge drinking 'worst in north'  (BBC News, August 2006)
Centre for Public Health  (CPH, August 2006)
Local alcohol profiles for England (NWPHO, August 2006)
Health promotion  (Internal link)

Rights of children affected by HIV need protecting

3 August 2006

A report published this week by Plan International, an international children's organisation, highlights the huge number of children throughout the world affected directly or indirectly (e.g. by caring for a family member) by HIV.  It recommends that to achieve lasting change, children must be empowered, through education, support and protection of their basic rights.

Circle of Hope: a global approach to tackling HIV and Aids (Plan International, August 2006)
Call to fight HIV risk in young  (BBC News, August 2006)
International and global public health  (Internal link)