BIRCH team

HIV Risk and Birth Control

An International Clinical Research Center-led study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases showed a troubling link between hormonal contraception and HIV. The study received widespread press coverage because of the popularity of injectable birth control like Depo-Provera in parts of Africa hardest hit by the AIDS epidemic. The observational study of nearly 3,800 couples in Africa found that women using hormonal contraception --such as Depo-Provera – are at double the risk of acquiring HIV.

BIRCH team

Spotlight on NCDs

On Sept. 19-20, the United Nations held a big meeting that could affect the future of global health. We have several related news items:
* Two UW physicians -- David Watkins and Jim Logerfo wrote an opinion piece in the Seattle Times on the rise of NCDs. "The chronic-disease pandemic will be the "face" of global health in the coming decades...Seattle can play a leading role in the fight against premature death and disability from chronic diseases."

BIRCH team

UW Researchers Hosted Landmark Hepatitis C Conference in Seattle Sept. 8-12

Seattle, one of the world leaders in hepatitis C research and treatment, will be hosting HCV2011, the 18th International Symposium on Hepatitis C and Related Viruses at the Seattle Sheraton. This conference is being held in Seattle for the first time and will attract around 800 people worldwide, including Michael Houghton from the University of Alberta who discovered Hepatitis C in 1989,  Steve Wiersma (WHO), Michael Gale (UW), Barbara Rehermann (NIH), Ray Chung (Harvard), Andrea Cox (Johns Hopkins), Hugo Rosen (University of Colorado), and Charlie Rice (Rockefeller University).

BIRCH team

Connie Celum Honored with Achievement Award

In recognition of her contributions to science, Dr. Connie Celum, UW professor of global health and medicine and adjunct professor of epidemiology, was selected for the American Sexually Transmitted Diseases Association (ASTDA) Achievement Award.  The award was given July 13 at the 19th International Society for STD Research conference in Quebec City, Canada.

BIRCH team

Congrats to I-TECH:

UW releases official news of I-TECH's five-year cooperative agreement of up to $300 million for health training in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

BIRCH team

Foege Admiration Society:

Bill Foege has a new book out, "House on Fire," and Humanosphere's Tom Paulson has a photo of Melinda Gates holding the book at a reception for the Gates' new headquarters building.

BIRCH team

Can Seattle Save the World?

KPLU-Humanosphere’s event April 26 at Seattle Town Hall was clearly a huge hit, drawing in an estimated 700 people. Humanosphere blogger Tom Paulson summarized some of the more memorable comments from the four panelists: We all “tolerate poverty” — because our lives are subsidized by the suffering of others, said Bill Foege (Gates Foundation) (paraphrasing MLK).

BIRCH team

Namibia Pharmacy:

The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services recently took an important step toward reducing the severe shortage of pharmacists (fewer than 200 for a country of 2 million). Thanks in part to a collaboration with the University of Washington, Namibia opened the country’s first-ever pharmacy degree program at the University of Namibia (UNAM), located in the capital city of Windhoek.

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