By Jane Coaston | July 15, 2013
This May, the nongovernmental organization (NGO) Save the Children released their 14th annual "State of the World’s Mothers" report. The report measures the best and worst places to be a mother by looking at various indicators relating to maternal health, children's well-being, income, educational status, and political status. Two EGPAF countries - Democratic Republic of the Congo (ranked #176) and Cote d'Ivoire (ranked #167) - placed in the bottom ten countries on the matrix.
Read more
By Chelsea Bailey | July 12, 2013
This week, we're reading the U.S. Government Accountability Office's evaluation of PEPFAR, a cost-benefit analysis of implementing Option B+ in Malawi, highlights from the African First Ladies Summit and a spotlight on Foundation Ambassador Tatu Msangi's tireless HIV/AIDS advocacy work.
Read more
By Eric Kilongi | July 12, 2013
Though HIV can be transmitted from mother to child through breast milk, studies have shown that women living with HIV are less likely to pass the virus if they breast-feed their babies exclusively for at least four months. Breast milk contains nutrients and essential antibodies that can help babies fend off dangerous infections.
Read more
By Appolinaire Tiam | July 11, 2013
Last month, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched new, consolidated HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention guidelines, which include recommendations for lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all HIV-positive pregnant and breastfeeding women (referred to in previous guidelines as Option B+) in order to reduce mother-to-child transmission rates. Learn more about how the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) helped support the country in its effort to adopt Option B+ earlier this year-ahead of the official WHO guidelines launch.
Read more
By Rhoda Igweta | July 11, 2013
2013 marks the 50th anniversary of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) also known as the African Union (AU). This is an important milestone for an entity that has helped increase political and economic cooperation across the African continent.
Read more
By Chelsea Bailey | July 10, 2013
Last week’s historic African First Ladies Summit came to a successful close on July 3, marking the end of a two-day conference focused on economic development through empowering women.
Read more
By Johanna Harvey | July 10, 2013
Earlier this week, Global Health Corps (GHC) announced its latest class of global health fellows—including six fellows hosted by the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF). This year, 106 recent college graduates and young professionals will serve with 44 health organizations in Burundi, Malawi, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, and select cities in the United States to support various programs and learn valuable skills to prepare for a career in global health.
Read more
By Johanna Harvey | July 9, 2013
Last week, more than 5,000 delegates from 127 countries gathered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for the 2013 International AIDS Society (IAS) Conference on HIV Pathogenesis, Treatment and Prevention. The bi-annual meeting brought together scientists, clinicians, public health experts, and community leaders to examine the latest developments in HIV-related research, and to explore how scientific advances can inform the global response to HIV/AIDS. Seven EGPAF team members attended this year’s conference, presenting at side meetings, poster sessions and panel presentations.
Read more
By Ben Banks | July 8, 2013
Ben Banks is an EGPAF Ambassador. After contracting HIV as a child during treatment for a rare form of cancer, Ben became an advocate for children and young people living with HIV. In this blog, Ben writes about sharing his story with students at George Washington University.
Read more
By Jane Coaston | July 8, 2013
Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes of Brigham and Women’s Hospital speaking at the International AIDS Society conference last week in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr. Kuritzkes announced that his team had treated two men living with HIV – who were also fighting cancer – with intensive bone marrow transplants. Following the treatment, the team was unable to find traces of HIV DNA in either patient. This case and that of the “Berlin Patient” are providing added fuel to global scientific efforts to eliminate HIV.
Read more