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 [...]

Black America and HIV – US failure to combat problem

Here is the link to the report and whole article.
What If Black America Were Its Own Country?
“Left Behind! Black America: A Neglected Priority in the Global AIDS Epidemic” incorporates a new analysis by the Black AIDS Institute showing how Black America would rank on the global health and HIV scale if it were a separate [...]

Our neighbor to the south gets their hate on

This the link to the original story.
From Pam’s house blend. I think she has the best analysis of what is really going on. Go read the whole thing.
For those who don’t know, fundamentalist right-wingers in Florida are attempting to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida this year that would ban gay marriage in the Sunshine [...]

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 [...]

Georgia’s continuing dysfunctional leadership

From the AJC. This sums it up for me…..

Laughingstock Legislature
Published on: 04/10/08
Members of the Georgia General Assembly, especially those from suburban Atlanta, like to make fun of Grady Memorial Hospital and its myriad problems. No doubt that has made it easier for the Legislature to justify repeatedly turning its back on the state’s largest [...]

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 [...]

Lack of HIV coverage in the news

Found this to be a good example of how HIV/AIDS is not being covered in the news and how this lack of information leads to people coming to false perceptions about the disease.
Why So Little AIDs Coverage?
When I decided to take two j-students to study AIDS in South Africa we discovered that there is [...]

State Health Director Stuart Brown to “retire”

Well, they used up another one. You don’t retire that fast…..he was pushed out I bet.
Why is it that DHR continues to switch out major management every 2-3 years in this state? Because changing out Directors fools most of the people of this state into thinking that something is happening. All that B.J. Walker [...]

Georgia’s private prisons draw protest

I think we need to draw even more attention to this issue as it relates to how we all have been conditioned to think that it is ok to make money off of anything. The health care of all of us is decided based on a profit margin as is now prisoners.
This kind of approach [...]

Only 9% of new HIV infections due to acute HIV infections?

Interesting article which means getting HIV positive folks tested and into treatment as soon as possible. Then we need to continue to educate and reinforce the message of how to keep others safe.

Model suggests only 9% of new HIV infections due to those with acute HIV infection

Only a small proportion of new, sexually transmitted HIV [...]

HIV ignorance fuels fears in Alabama

This is from the Housing Works site. I have copied the entire thing as I think it captures the issue of stigma so well. Go read it here.

SWEET HOME ALABAMA
The Campaign to End AIDS holds a triumphant “family reunion” at the Alabama RV resort that barred an HIV-positive toddler from its pool and showers

C2EA jumps [...]

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 [...]

CDC – “Centers for Disease Control” or “Centers for Democratic Control”?

Back when I posted this story I thought the issue was just apathy towards the mission of CDC and public health. But no, it gets even worse. The AJC is reporting now that most of the overseas jobs for the CDC are unfilled:
“This is a critical time for global health,” wrote Dr. Stephen Blount, director [...]

Georgia facing budget cuts to HIV/AIDS programs

Going to post this and do some follow up later. Another article came out since this.

Ga. DHR’s HIV section faces funding cut

Community unease, staff vacancies also weigh down state agency that fights AIDS
By RYAN LEE
Mar. 16, 2007

Already operating on a shoestring budget while fighting arguably the most vicious disease of the past quarter century, the [...]

Fulton jail follies continue

This would be funny if it wasn’t for the injustice.

Judge lashes out on jail

Shoob lectures Fulton Sheriff Myron Freeman and warns of ‘harsh consequences’ for any false reports.
By RHONDA COOK – The Atlanta Journal-Constitution- 03/17/07
U.S. District Court Judge Marvin Shoob told Fulton County Sheriff Myron Freeman and his top aide they will face serious [...]