LA Taking Steps To Better Address Disparity In HIV Awareness, Treatment
Countywide, American Indians and African-Americans are diagnosed with HIV at much higher rates than whites, and transgender women are diagnosed at nearly twice the rate of men.
KPCC:
LA County Seeks To Narrow HIV Disparities
On Tuesday the board directed the L.A. County Department of Public Health to report back in 90 days on, among other things, the county's efforts to increase HIV awareness and access to a daily HIV-prevention pill among young black and Latino gay men, American Indians and transgender females. The board also asked for information about the county's strategies to increase viral suppression among those populations. (Plevin, 4/11)
In other public health news —
Modesto Bee:
Too Sick For Surgery? Memorial Introduces An Easier Way To Replace A Heart Valve
The newer procedure, called transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, was introduced at Memorial last month as an option for older patients who suffer from a common heart condition. Aortic valve stenosis occurs when one of the four valves in the heart becomes calcified with age and narrows. (Carlson, 4/11)
Capital Public Radio:
States And Cities Are Fighting Climate Change, With Or Without Nations
California has long had its own array of ambitious climate change policies. In addition, the state is also one of hundreds of regional and local governments around the world who are collaborating in both formal and informal alliances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Scientists who study climate change say their efforts could match or exceed those of nations. (Bradford, 4/11)
Ventura County Star:
Ventura Forum To Explore Link Between Stress, Illness
The connection between stress and illness will be explored in a free seminar on Wednesday in Ventura. Dr. Lewis Kanter, an allergy and immune system specialist, will talk about the impact of stress on the body's immunities, also exploring whether chronic stress can cause asthma. Board-certified in pediatrics, he will discuss the impact of stress on developing children. (Kisken, 4/11)