HIV/AIDS in Georgia – How we have failed and will continue to fail

This is a not something new. We have know for years that HIV/AIDS was becoming a real threat for rural, female, African-American and poor people.

This is not all the fault of the state (but plenty of blame does reside there). The CDC has never really EVER had a HIV prevention plan in place. When the [...]

National Minority AIDS Council Call to Action- New HIV rates

There website is here.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Circe J. Gray Le Compte, Director of Communications
National Minority AIDS Council, 1931 13th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009
Telephone: (202) 234-5120 ext. 309; (202) 352-7240
E-mail: communications@nmac.org
“And all the centuries passed and they survived and became a kind of people that the world had never known. [...]

It took countless deaths, but Georgia finally gets a Mental Health Ombudsman

While on the face of it it is a good sign that Georgia is finally doing something to address this horrible issue, it is outrageous that it takes people dying, a federal investigation and a investigative piece from the AJC to make this happen.
Having an ombudsmen and advocates for the most helpless of our residents [...]

1000 Georgians died last year due to lack of health care

There are a couple of issues here.
Issue one- The Georgia Legislature should be ashamed of themselves for their actions on this issue. In the face of Georgians not having access to health care they pushed a bill that gives tax breaks which really will benefit insurance companies who offer worthless high deductible policies that do [...]

Unnatural Causes – it not just your genes or lack of access

Started March 27 but they are repeating the first episode this coming Wednesday and GPB will air it every Thursday for 6 more weeks.  Website for the film is here.
Healthy behaviors, molecular research, and of course, universal health care are all important. But evidence suggests they [...]

The “lock them up and throw away the key” arguement….now for the other side

Even more signs that “tough on crime” does not work.

Aging inmates clogging nation’s prisons
HARDWICK, Ga.
It’s about noon in middle Georgia and the sun is beating down on the yard at Men’s State Prison.
Huddled under a metal canopy that provides a bit of relief are inmates slumped in wheelchairs. Some lean on walkers or canes. Razor [...]

Georgia continues to fail to protect its most vulnerable citizens

This is just tragic and all of us in Georgia are implicated as we have not forced our leaders to address this long occurring problem.
We are ok with this kind of “justice” because the folks being mistreated, dehumanized and dying are minorities, poor, mentally ill, gay or other classifications of people we either never have [...]

Georgia’s Meth problem fuels overcrowding in Prisons.

We are locking up 250-300 meth addicts a month?
Prison chief: Meth fuels overcrowding
By STEPHEN GURR

James Donald

Georgia’s skyrocketing inmate population can at least partially be blamed on the rise of methamphetamine use, the state’s prison chief said during a Tuesday legislative brunch in Dahlonega.
“Today we are taking between 250 and 300 meth-addicted offenders per month,” Georgia [...]

Meth issues in Georgia

Good article from the Macon paper. Not sure how “accurate” that comment is by the DHR guy. In rural south Georgia there is nothing but a handful of private options. This is a growing issue driving HIV rates across the country.

Addicts quitting meth face severe withdrawals, few treatment options
By Tim Sturrock
For months, the guilt, shame [...]

Insurance companies hinder our health

This guy nails the problem. We all need access to health care……not to insurance companies.

Insurance companies hinder our health
By JEFF WATKINS
Published on: 08/15/07
AJC
As the CEO of a small business with fewer than 50 employees, I appreciate Gov. Sonny Perdue’s desire to help companies like mine make it easier to provide adequate health care for [...]

Georgia tries to “fix” mental health only when forced to

 From the AJC. This is in response to the post below.

Mediocre care won’t do

Mentally ill patients deserve superior treatment while in state facilities
AJC
Published on: 08/16/07
The administration of Gov. Sonny Perdue took six months to acknowledge the obvious: The state’s mental hospitals are in crisis. That delay is testimony to his administration’s dismal failure to ensure [...]

When forced to confront patients dying in state mental hospitals…Perdue orders a “study”

Careful, don’t act too quickly! If you drag your feet long enough maybe the next Governor will handle it.

Perdue orders mental care study

Decision follows start of Justice Department investigation

By ALAN JUDD
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 08/10/07
Gov. Sonny Perdue ordered a study of the state’s services for the mentally ill Thursday, but stopped short of acknowledging [...]

Georgia’s prison cost could be $100 Millon more within 5 Years

Here is the link to the report. This is really amazing.
Report: Georgia prison could cost nearly $100M more in 5 years
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published on: 02/14/07 Georgia’s prison population is projected to grow by more than 5,700 [...]

AIDS Group sues maker of Viagra

Here is the direct link.

AIDS group says Viagra increases spread of HIV, other STDs
A leading American AIDS group said it was suing Pfizer, the manufacturer of Viagra, accusing the company of sparking an increase in sexually-transmitted diseases through its marketing tactics.
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest AIDS healthcare, prevention and education provider [...]