AIDS Daily Summary July 29, 1994 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 Clearinghouse, or any other organization. Reproduction of this text is encouraged; however, copies may not be sold, and the CDC Clearinghouse should be cited as the source of this information. Copyright 1994, Information, Inc., Bethesda, MD "HIV and Babies" USA Today (07/29/94) P. 1D An advisory committee to the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday recommended agency approval for the use of the AIDS drug AZT in HIV-positive pregnant women. If the recommendation is accepted, many physicians may begin to prescribe the drug. Some already do, based on preliminary research finding that AZT cut maternal-infant transmission of HIV from 25 to 8 percent. Related Story: Financial Times (07/29) P. 1 "AIDS Question Would Be Omitted Under Insurer Proposal by UK Group" Journal of Commerce (07/29/94) P. 7A; MacLeod, Helen The Association of British Insurers has recommended a revision to life insurance proposal forms that would erase the section inquiring if the applicant had ever been tested for HIV/AIDS--regardless of the results--or received counseling for AIDS or another sexually transmitted disease. The question was placed on the form in 1987 after the United Kingdom Department of Health predicted that AIDS-related deaths would impose a heavy burden on the life insurance business. The proposal to remove it was introduced in light of new, less frightening AIDS statistics showing that over the last decade, only 3,000 deaths in the U.K. resulted from AIDS--compared to 1 million deaths from smoking-related conditions. "Conflicting State Regulations on HIV Query Try US Insurers" Journal of Commerce (07/29/94) P. 7A; Beller, Margo D. The American insurance industry is plagued by clashing state laws governing whether companies may ask life or health insurance applicants if they have ever tested HIV-positive. According to Debbie Chase, a spokesperson for the American Council of Life Insurance in Washington, 24 states currently prohibit life insurers from making this inquiry. In most states, however, life insurers can test individuals once they become policyholders, Chase notes. John Calagna, a spokesman at the New York Insurance Department, adds that health insurers in states with open rating laws requiring them to accept all applicants are permitted to ask the question, but cannot deny coverage based on the response. "Needle Exchange Ban" Washington Post (07/29/94) P. A3 The Institute of Medicine, saying that needle exchange programs appear to do more good than harm, recommended the removal of a ban on government-financed needle swaps designed to curb the spread of AIDS. "Kelly's Record Solid on AIDS, Gay Issues" Washington Times (07/29/94) P. C2; Oldham Jr., Frank Although some have called District of Columbia Mayor Sharon Pratt Kelly's track record on AIDS a poor one, Frank Oldham Jr. argues that her record is, in fact, solid. Oldham, who recently resigned as executive director of the D.C. Agency for HIV/AIDS, lauds Kelly as "a symbol of the District's fight for survival during difficult times" who has demonstrated continued support for building a unified community in the AIDS fight and improving services. He points, as an example, to Kelly's protection of the organization from deep budget cuts. "Ann Landers" Washington Post (07/29/94) P. D5; Landers, Ann In response to a letter from a concerned 24-year-old virgin, advice columnist Ann Landers reminds the public that, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a flu shot can sometimes cause an Elisa test for HIV to yield positive results. The best course of action, says Landers, is to undergo a second test--preferably with the more specific Western Blot test, which should rule out false-positives. "Thousands of New AIDS Cases in Thailand" United Press International (07/28/94) A total of 1,146 new cases of AIDS were documented in Thailand in the first half of 1994, according to the country's Public Health Ministry. The new cases raised the number of AIDS patients to have been treated in Thai hospitals to 8,584 and the death toll to 2,682. The new total--which consisted of 980 men and 166 women--was in standing with reports by the Thai daily newspaper Matichon that the AIDS rate was six times higher among males than females. The publication also noted that the rate of HIV infection among pregnant women had reached 2 percent nationwide. "New AIDS Scandal Probe Targets Jailed Ex-Official" Reuters (07/28/94) A former government official serving time for his part in France's 1985 contaminated-blood tragedy is the target of a second probe. Michael Garretta, ex-director of the National Blood Transfusion Center (CNTS), was convicted of fraud and criminal negligence, and is now under investigation for charges that he "poisoned" hemophiliacs with HIV nearly 10 years ago. In 1985, Garretta used stocks of contaminated blood products to cut expenses at CNTS, rather than import safe, treated products. More than 1,250 hemophiliacs were infected as a result--400 of whom have since died. Garretta's four-year sentence shocked and outraged infected patients and their families and friends, many of whom began lobbying for a new trial on more serious charges. "What Happened to the War on AIDS?" Business Week (07/25/94) No. 3382, P. 34; Carey, John As a presidential contender, Bill Clinton promised AIDS activists to make the epidemic a national priority, to mount major new prevention efforts, and to increase funding for research, prevention, and care. He also vowed to appoint an AIDS czar to head the battle against HIV. Kristine Gebbie was named to the position, but announced her resignation on July 8--the latest sign of what administration critics say is a poor and disappointing AIDS policy. They say the White House gave Gebbie's efforts, including an AIDS advisory council and needle exchange programs, only lukewarm support. Critics also say the president failed to place AIDS at the top of the political agenda, as promised. He also fell short, they say, in reassessing priorities for the nation's $1.3 billion research effort, coordinating efforts of different agencies to conserve money, and boosting prevention efforts. To its credit, the Clinton administration was successful in pushing through large increases for AIDS research. Still, until he comes through on more of his campaign promises, Clinton is no longer likely to be greeted as a savior in the AIDS community.