Supporting the HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Workforce

News Headlines at ASHM
Video of ASHM Clinical Lecture Series in HIV - 'Treatment as Prevention?' now available
ASHM's inaugural Clinical Lecture Series 'Treatment as Prevention?' held in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne late March was hailed a success. The keynote presentation was delivered by international speaker Dr Kenneth Mayer, M.D. Professor of Medicine at Harvard, and Director of Research at the Fenway Institute and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Video from the talk is now available.
Putting HIV and infectious diseases on the post-2015 development agenda
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have set international development priorities over the past 15 years. MDG 6 is 'combating HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases'. To guide priorities after 2015, a 'post 2015' agenda is being developed. ASHM has provided a submission to the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) which advocates for a continued focus on HIV, and infectious diseases more broadly, for the period post 2015.
ASHM condemns Queensland sexual health cuts
ASHM is joining doctors, nurses, patients and sexual health clinic workers to protest plans to axe 40 sexual health jobs in clinics in Brisbane, Redcliffe, Caboolture, Wide Bay, Cairns, and the Torres Strait. "The recently announced cuts to sexual health and HIV services at this crucial time is a disaster. This is a time where we need to encourage people to test and to test more frequently," said ASHM President  A/Prof Edwina Wright. You can read ASHM's press release, and sign a petition urging the Premier of Queensland and Health Minister to commit to keeping sexual health clinics in Brisbane open.
Alert for medical practitioners regarding meningococcal diseases and vaccination advice for MSM travelling to New York
There has been an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) amongst MSM in New York City and Brooklyn. A total of 22 cases have been reported, 1 in 2010, 4 in 2011, 13 in 2012 and 4 in 2013. The age range of these patients is between 21-59 years. Read ASHM's advice for medical practitioners regarding vaccination advice, as well as information from Department of Health, Victoria for MSM travelling to New York, and a press release from AFAO.
ASHM reports from CRO2013
The 20th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI2013) has now drawn to a close. For those of you who were unable to make it in person, we are pleased to bring you the ASHM Report Back from CROI. These online reports written by ASHM members, including our President Edwina Wright, are designed to provide highlights and point you towards presentations that you may wish to pursue further. Read the reports.
Boceprevir and telaprevir to be listed on PBS
The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) welcomes the announcement that two new hepatitis C treatment drugs - boceprevir and telaprevir - will be listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS). Read ASHM's media release.
ASHM renews calls for review of criteria on when to start HIV treatment
In light of new HIV research published about attitudes to Treatment as Prevention, ASHM is renewing calls for the PBAC to review its criteria so that doctors are free to decide when to initiate antiretroviral therapy with their patients on a case by case basis. Read ASHM's press release about Treatment as Prevention.
NSW Health Minister launches 'Ending HIV' campaign
On the 8th of February, NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner launched Ending HIV: a ground-breaking education initiative designed to help end the HIV epidemic in NSW, timed to coincide with the start of this year's historic 35th Sydney Mardi Gras festival.
ASHM President co-authors new HIV study
Two papers in The New England Journal of Medicine, one co-authored by ASHM President Edwina Wright and the other co-authored by board member David Cooper and ASHM member Anthony Kelleher - suggest that starting antiretroviral treatment (ART) early after HIV infection is diagnosed may improve patients' immune response, boosting the initial recovery of the immune system and delaying progression of the disease. A/Prof Edwina Wright and A/Prof Anthony Kelleher provided reviews about their respective research.
HIV rapid test gains TGA approval
ASHM welcomes introduction of Australia's first registered point of care test (Monday, 17 December 2012):
The Melbourne Declaration on HIV 2012
Australia has committed to halving the rate of the sexual transmission of HIV by 2015. This is why key national HIV community, professional and research organisations have come together to create the Melbourne Declaration 2012, and to take action on HIV.
First National Hepatitis B Testing Policy to tackle liver cancer rates
Australia's first National Hepatitis B Testing Policy provides advice on appropriate testing pathways for all health professionals who order and interpret hepatitis B tests. It is now available online from the Testing Portal, managed by ASHM
Auckland Statement: Sign today to support urgent action on viral hepatitis
For the first time ever in Australia and New Zealand, the Auckland Statement will outline clear targets to reduce new viral hepatitis infections and get more people on treatment. You can help us get there. By signing and endorsing the Auckland Statement, you're helping us present a united front. Please sign today.
ASHM welcomes decision on Needle & Syringe Exchange Program for ACT prison
Thursday, 16 August 2012: The Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) joins other key health organisations in welcoming the ACT Government's decision to introduce a Needle and Syringe Exchange Program in an ACT prison. The decision is part of a new health strategy to tackle blood-borne viruses (BBVs) at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). Read the full ASHM press release.

ASHM reports live from Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference
A number of ASHM members are in Auckland right now providing a live report-back from the 8th Australasian Viral Hepatitis Conference. The reporters will be highlighting presentations in their areas of interest which they think are particularly important for clinicians, researchers and policy makers in Australasia. Visit our Viral Hepatitis report-back website to read the reports, subscribe to blogs, and make your own comments.
The Australasian Sexual Health Alliance (ASHA)
ASHA has recently been formed by partner organisations to create a multidisciplinary support network for the sexual health workforce.
What is the National E-Health Transition Authority currently involved in?
The NEHTA Continuity of Care Program initiative information
 
Further information can be found on the searchable News Archive
 
If you wish to make a complaint against an ASHM staff member or volunteer, please send an email to either the ASHM Chief Executive Officer, Levinia Crooks, at levinia.crooks@ashm.org.au, or to the ASHM President, Edwina Wright, at e.wright@alfred.org.au
 
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