In the News

May 26, 2009

“Airborne” Highlights MDR-, XDR- TB Cases

Airborne: A Journey into the Challenges and Solutions to Stopping MDR-TB and XDR-TB is a powerful new book written by John Donnelly that features interviews and images to put a human face on the TB epidemic across the world. In her foreword, WHO Director-General Margaret Chan wrote, “I urge you to read the personal stories collected in AIRBORNE. These are human tragedies that should never have happened. But these are also stories about the uplifting success possible when the right elements are in place.”

——

Australian Abortion-Aid Ban Lifted

A thirteen-year ban in Australia on providing foreign aid for abortions has been lifted and Australia will provide  funding of up to $15 million for reproductive health activities to help reduce maternal deaths across the world.

——

$50 Million US Contribution to UNFPA

President Obama has recently signed legislation to provide $50 million to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to improve the health of women and children and reduce poverty throughout the world.

——

US Capital Blighted by HIV/AIDS

The U.S. Capital has an HIV/AIDS rate on par with or worse than some African nations the city’s health department reports.

——

US Urged to Fix Iraqi Refugee ‘Mess’ It Created

As the Iraq war enters its 7th year, the United States is urged to provide aid to Iraqi refugees displaced by the fighting.

——

In Reversal, US to Engage with Human Rights Council

President Obama’s decision to become actively involved in the U.N. Human Rights Council raises hope that the administration will take a multilateral, human rights approach to international diplomacy.

——

Living in a Sea of Mud and Drowning in Dread

Hurricane season has left Haitians to navigate mud-covered towns; without clear evacuation and reconstruction plans, Haitians fear an even worse situation this year.

——

Chad: Fighting Violence Against Women — But How?

Violence against women is endemic in Chad, where in December dozens of women took part in a protest march against the legal gaps and cultural norms that allow for rampant domestic violence, sexual abuse, and underage marriages.

——

In Iraq, A Story of Rape, Shame and ‘Honor Killing’

Killing of a pregnant rape victim by her brother reveals the terrible frequency of ‘honor killings’ in Iraq.

——

Mentally Ill and in Immigration Limbo

Xiu Ping Jiang, an illegal immigrant from China, faces the harrowing choice of deportation  or detention in a facility where she has, allegedly, received inadequate care for her mental condition.

——

Women’s Health Insurance Fairness Act

U.S. Senator John Kerry has introduced a bill that would prohibit health insurance companies from charging women higher premiums and from discriminating against women based on whether they are pregnant.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*