Global health briefs January 2012

January / February 2012 | Volume 11, Issue 1

HIV study named breakthrough of the year

The HIV/AIDS study showing disease transmission is virtually stopped by treatment with antiretroviral drugs, known as HPTN 052, was named "Breakthrough of the Year" by Science magazine. NIH grantee Dr. Myron Cohen of the University of North Carolina has been leading the study, with assistance from at least 25 scientists who received research training with Fogarty support.

• Read the full article, Breakthrough of the Year: HIV Treatment as Prevention, in the December 23, 2011 issue of Science.
• View Dr. Myron Cohen on 2011's Biggest Global Health Breakthrough [VIDEO] from the January 4, 2012 Healthy Lives blog post.

Call to protect vulnerable children

The U.S. recently convened a summit to develop and promote evidence-based strategies to protect vulnerable children living outside of family care in developing countries. The interagency effort coincided with a call to action published in The Lancet.

• Learn more about the U.S. Government Evidence Summit on Protecting Children Outside of Family Care.
• Read the full article, A call for coordinated and evidence-based action to protect children outside of family care from the December 12, 2011 issue of The Lancet.

NIH launches online genetics course

A new online course will provide social and behavioral scientists with sufficient training to allow them to engage effectively in interdisciplinary research with genetics researchers. The NIH Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research partnered with the National Coalition for Health Professional Education in Genetics on the free resource.

• Access the site and related training resources at Genetics and Social Science.

Free HINARI training available

Duke University has developed free HINARI training tools to increase access to medical journals and develop literature research skills among developing country scientists. The tutorial, which can be used in low-bandwidth settings or ordered on CD-ROM, was developed with support from a Fogarty Frameworks grant.

• Access HINARI Programme User Training.

Report details global pollution impact

The 2011 edition of "The World's Worst Toxic Pollution Problems" details the top pollution problems and estimates that people impacted by the sites could lose an average of 12.7 years to death or disability. The annual report is issued jointly by Blacksmith Institute of New York and Green Cross Switzerland.

• Read about and download The World's Worst Toxic Pollution Problems Report 2011 from the Blacksmith Institute.

Cookstoves alliance recognized

The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves has been awarded the United Nations Development Programme's annual South-South Cooperation Award for Partnership. The NIH participates in the public-private project led by the U.N. Foundation.

• Access Indoor Air Pollution (IAP) Information and Resources.

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