Document 0608
 DOCN  M9590608
 TI    AIDS policy chief Fleming outlines progress achieved, challenges ahead.
       Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231
       ext. 5023.
 DT    9509
 SO    AIDS Policy Law. 1995 Mar 10;10(4):10-1. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       AIDS/95700221
 AB    Patricia S. Fleming, National AIDS Policy Director, addressed the HIV
       Infection in Women Conference in February 1995 about the progress made
       to improve HIV care for women and the difficult challenges that must be
       confronted in the years ahead. Fleming states that womens' health in
       general, and HIV in particular, is being taken more seriously and is
       more of a top priority of the Federal government. Researchers are now
       confirming that women are more susceptible to HIV transmission during
       heterosexual intercourse than are men. This is shown in part by the
       increasing rate of cases in women in the U.S.: cases are rising at a
       rate of 17 percent a year. AIDS is now the leading cause of death among
       Americans between 25 and 44 years old. AZT research has shown its
       effectiveness in preventing perinatal HIV transmission, but the short-
       and long-term effects of AZT treatment are unknown, although research is
       beginning in this area. Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and
       Prevention (CDC) is now releasing guidelines to help women and health
       care professionals make the best decisions regarding counseling and HIV
       testing in pregnant women. Fleming views mandatory testing as ill
       conceived because it may drive some women away from prenatal care. She
       states that experience shows counseling and voluntary testing have
       produced good results. It is the government's responsibility to work
       with organizations to find ways to disseminate prevention information
       and to see that the best research is funded and the results widely
       disseminated.
 DE    AIDS Serodiagnosis/LEGISLATION & JURISPRUD  *Acquired Immunodeficiency
       Syndrome/DIAGNOSIS/DRUG THERAPY/  TRANSMISSION  Adolescence  Adult
       Child  Disease Susceptibility  Female  Human  Pregnancy  *Women's Health
       Zidovudine/THERAPEUTIC USE  NEWSLETTER ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).