Inspirational and good news.
We all know that the bird flu H5N1 is bad, some people argue that millions will die as a result of it. Ouch. Don’t despair though!
A team of researchers have noticed that a certain aspect of H5N1 itself can be used to fight other influenza strains. Still it’s a mixed bag because the same property can render existing H5N1 flu solutions null.
“Researchers have discovered a detail of the H5N1 bird flu virus’s structure that could be exploited to make new, targeted influenza drugs.â€
Universal health care for all is still years away, but the number of people receiving HIV antiretroviral therapy has reached the one million mark in sub-Saharan Africa. This is a huge milestone that was announced this week at the International AIDS Conference.
“The one million figure represents a tenfold increase since December 2003, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Sub-Saharan Africa still accounts for 70 per cent of the global unmet treatment need, however, and 95 per cent of the 38.6 million people living with HIV/AIDS live in the developing world, where countries face tremendous challenges in dealing with the epidemic.”
Today I was at the International AIDS Conference happening here in Toronto (previously). I was there representing TakingITGlobal, whom I work for, of course there were plenty of other wonderful organizations. Conviently, there is a list of every organization there, but one organization that had a really creative booth was CUSO.
CUSO setup a series of “rooms” where you had the chance to express what you really wanted to say to whomever. I wrote a message to those jerks who hold back HIV/AIDS medicinebecause I hate how they put profits before people. Despite my short tirade, other people had novel ideas and heart-warming messages.
It is just fantastic to see that so many people care about HIV/AIDS, and that they are doing something about it! TakingITGlobal has conveniently made an online resource of what you can do!
If you are in the Greater Toronto Area I strongly urge to get to the conference! There is a free section called the Global Village where many organizations have information booths.
This year Toronto is the proud host of the largest HIV/AIDS conference in the world. Beginning this Sunday, the event will have an estimated 20,000 participants and wil include such keynote speakers as Bill Clinton and Bill and Melinda Gates (who recently donated $500 Million dollars to the global fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria).
People venture from all over the world to attend the conference which includes a film festival of HIV/AIDS-themed movies, related visual art and photography exhibitions, poetry and prose readings, theatrical performances, author sessions and panel discussions. There will also be art events in galleries and museums all around the city and live performances by Alicia Keys, Barenaked Ladies, Blue Man Group and many others. It is awesome to have this event happening in our own city and may not be back in Toronto again for a long time. So go on out this week and share in the awareness.
Coca-Cola and Pepsi Cola can no longer be purchased in some states in India. This is after the Centre for Science and Environment, a Delhi-based NGO, discovered that pesticides were inside the drink. The level of pesticides in the drink are technically legal, but also against voluntary standards set in India.
It’s good to see that some states in India are taking this public health issue seriously and banning the poisonous drinks. Still, it is not a complete ban; however it is very symbolic. Banned is the selling of colas a certain distance around schools because of health concerns for children.
“The sale of Pepsi, Coca Cola, Mirinda, Mountain Dew, Diet Pepsi, Pepsi Blue, Fanta, Limca, Sprite, Thums Up, and 7up will be banned within 100 metres of all schools, colleges and hospitals across the state, they said.”
This is getting a lot of media attention and should pave the way for more stringent health and environmental concerns in the country.