Date: Wed, 6 Nov 1996 09:48:23 -0500 From: "Flynn Mclean" Subject: CDC AIDS Daily Summary 11/06/96 AIDS Daily Summary November 6, 1996 The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National AIDS Clearinghouse makes available the following information as a public service only. Providing this information does not constitute endorsement by the CDC, the CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse should be cited as the source of this information. Copyright 1996, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD ****************************************************** "Limit on Affirmative Action Heads for Win in California" "Calif. DMV Sued for Denial of "HIV POS" License Tag" "Hospital Is Offering Free HIV Tests for Young People" "More Than $10,000 Raised for Pediatric AIDS Clinic" "HIV-Positive Johnson Lives Life His Way" "Indonesia Against Condoms to Stem AIDS -- Minister" "Brazil's Indians Under Threat From AIDS" "Kenya to Install Condom Slots in District" "Glaxo HIV Ads Urge Treatment" ****************************************************** "Limit on Affirmative Action Heads for Win in California" Washington Post (11/06/96) P. B12; Havemann, Judith Among 91 ballot initiatives decided Tuesday were proposals in California and Arizona to legalize the medical use of marijuana. Arizona voters approved the measure and exit polls indicated that California voters would also. The California proposal, which would allow patients and "defined care givers" to possess or cultivate marijuana without being prosecuted, was supported by conservatives, libertarians, drug legalization advocates, former Secretary of State George Shultz, and some wealthy businessmen. Physicians will also be permitted to recommend the use of the drug for the treatment of cancer, anorexia, AIDS, chronic pain, spasticity, glaucoma, arthritis, migraines, or "any other illness for which marijuana provides relief." The initiative was opposed by three former presidents and the current drug chief. "Calif. DMV Sued for Denial of "HIV POS" License Tag" Baltimore Sun (11/06/96) P. 2A A California man with AIDS is suing the state's Department of Motor Vehicles for $5 million after his request for a license plate reading "HIV POS" was denied. DMV spokesman Evan Nossoff said the request was denied because "it would be offensive to a significant number of Californians and insensitive to many people with HIV." "Hospital Is Offering Free HIV Tests for Young People" Philadelphia Inquirer (11/06/96) P. B2 A Philadelphia clinic will begin, on Nov. 12, to offer free and anonymous HIV tests to people aged 12 to 24. The Primary Care Center at Cobbs Creek, a satellite clinic operated by Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, will provide testing and counseling on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. The goal of the program is to encourage more young people to get tested, especially in light of new advances in treatment. "More Than $10,000 Raised for Pediatric AIDS Clinic" Baltimore Sun (11/06/96) P. 3B A benefit concert at Greater Grace World Outreach in Baltimore raised more than $10,000 Saturday for the Maryland Pediatric AIDS clinic. The clinic is Maryland's largest comprehensive service provider for children of HIV-infected women. "HIV-Positive Johnson Lives Life His Way" USA Today (11/06/96) P. 1C; Carter, Kelly This week marks the fifth anniversary of Earvin "Magic" Johnson's announcement that he was HIV-positive and that he would not submit to the virus. Although he said "I'm going to beat it," he was unconvincing to many. "At that particular time you just thought of [HIV] as a death warrant," said Byron Scott, who was Johnson's teammate with the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson, however, has continued to live his life his way, cheering courtside at most Lakers games and continuing to throw a few parties a year. He has improved his eating habits and continues to exercise and play basketball. Dr. David Ho, of the Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center and a consultant to Johnson, said, "People should not be surprised because HIV infection could be free of symptoms for a long time." Ho noted that Johnson is currently taking inhibitor drugs to prevent HIV replication and that Johnson's T-cell count has not changed since his initial diagnosis. "Indonesia Against Condoms to Stem AIDS -- Minister" Reuters (11/06/96) The use of condoms to curb the spread of HIV will not be advocated by the Indonesian government because the practice is not culturally appropriate, Health Minister Suydi said. The Antara news agency quoted Suydi as telling a meeting of the Indonesian Medical Association that "the most suitable method for us is counseling and not distributing condoms." Condoms will be distributed by the government in areas where prostitution is prevalent, he added. "Brazil's Indians Under Threat From AIDS" Reuters (11/05/96); Christie, Michael The risk of AIDS in Brazil's indigenous tribes is a growing concern to the government, which will launch an AIDS awareness campaign targeting the population in the coming weeks. Brazil said that fears that AIDS could wipe out the population were exaggerated, though it noted that a major education project was needed. The National Indian Foundation estimates that 20 of Brazil's 320,000 indigenous people are infected with HIV. Potential for the virus to spread is heightened by a culture of polygamy among many tribes. Sexual initiation ceremonies are also common for adolescents, and some have been led into prostitution. "Kenya to Install Condom Slots in District" Xinhua News Agency (11/05/96) To help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in Kenya, condom dispensers will be installed in all public places in the Isiolo district by the Kenyan Department of Public Health. The dispensers will be installed in bars, hotels, and lodging houses free of charge. "Glaxo HIV Ads Urge Treatment" Advertising Age (10/28/96) Vol. 67, No. 44, P. 12; Wilke, Michael Glaxo Wellcome's latest AIDS-related advertising campaign does not focus on the company's new AIDS drugs but encourages those with HIV to seek treatment. The education campaign, estimated to cost between $2 million and $5 million, targets gays, African Americans, and Hispanics. Carl Weisber, of FCB Health Care, the agency conducting the campaign, says, "It's probably the first 'get treated' message, since there hasn't been enough research previously." The ads refers to "new treatment options" and alludes to news reports of drug cocktails that combine Glaxo's drugs with protease inhibitors. During the campaign's first phase, the ads will appear in national gay media and 12 local gay newspapers. Early next year, radio, outdoor, and special theater performances will target the African American and Hispanic communities in 18 cities. Reid Saleeby, associate product manager for HIV marketing at Glaxo, said that at least 30 percent of people who know they are infected are not taking antiviral therapy.