Supervised and Unsupervised HIV Self-Testing Both Earn High Marks

Supervised and unsupervised HIV self-testing both had high acceptability scores and often resulted in partner self-testing, according to a systematic review of 21 international studies. Test sensitivity was marginally lower with unsupervised testing, and no studies evaluated posttest linkage with counseling and treatment.

Despite Progress, African Americans Still Hard Hit By Medical Bills

For many years, high medical bills have been a leading cause of financial distress and bankruptcy in America. That pressure may be easing ever so slightly, according to a survey released last week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In This Issue

What are the implications for HIV vaccine research overall, given the HVTN 505 vaccine trial failure? We ask internationally known vaccine researcher Dr. Wayne C. Koff, senior vice president and chief scientific officer at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative.

After HVTN 505: What Now? A Q&A With Dr. Wayne C. Koff

Earlier this year the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases ended the HVTN 505 exploratory clinical trial, intended to test whether that vaccine could either prevent HIV infection and/or reduce the amount of HIV in the blood of vaccine recipients who became infected later. Sadly, the vaccine failed to reduce the viral load of participants who became infected with HIV, and greater numbers of people who received the vaccine than received a placebo became infected later.

Will Consumers Sign On For Health Law’s Co-Ops?

People in the market for health insurance in Oregon want to know what their out-of-pocket expenses will be -- down to the dollar. They want doctors who reply to email. They want the option to see alternative practitioners.