Events Calendar
In This Section
Most Read Stories
Suitcase causes bomb scare at Akron bus terminal
Akron City Council OKs higher speed on I-77
Chapel Hill isn't rolling right along
Motorcyclist killed, wife injured in Stark County crash
New eateries expand menu of options
Man says he was punched, robbed by 3 people in parking lot
Patrick McManamon: Here's what the Browns should try the rest of the season
Louisville athlete commits to play for Boston College
Family found dead in Ohio home
Blogs:
Pets:
It Takes All Kinds
The Heldenfiles:
Tuesday Notebook
Patrick McManamon:
An interesting thought from a reader
Akron Zips:
Akron vs. Mount Union — Liveblog
Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates
Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback
Kent State Sports:
Flashes interested in another Cincinnati player
Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships
Buckeye Blogging:
Buckeyes Roll 100-60 / Season Outlook
Varsity Letters:
Report: Walsh baseball player commits
All Da King's Men:
More On The Fort Hood Jihadist
Blog of Mass Destruction:
Simply Incapable of Telling The Truth
Akron Law Café:
Health Care Financing Reform: (63) Commonwealth Fund Report on Primary Care
See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler
Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks
Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing
Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.
Sound Check:
Aeromsith looking for new singer as Steven Tyler contemplates solo career
HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio
Akron Gamer:
Video: 'Modern Warfare 2' hits the streets
Less about a vaccine and more about treatment and prevention
Published on Monday, Mar 31, 2008
Two human trials of a promising vaccine have been halted since late last year after reviews of the data indicated the vaccine did not protect the recipients but may have made them more likely to contract HIV infection.
Faced with those distressing results, the researchers have made the call, wisely, not to chase shadows. They will refocus attention on basic research and direct more of the available resources to developing approaches that improve current prevention and treatment alternatives. Disappointing as the development is, the failure of the vaccine route does not mean it is a permanent dead-end. Scientific breakthroughs rarely follow a deliberate timetable.
Much has been accomplished globally over the years. We know more about the nature of HIV/AIDS and about treatments and prevention. Total spending on HIV/AIDS has increased, rising between 1996 and 2007 from about $300 million to nearly $10 billion.
Still, HIV/AIDS is a potent global threat, weakening the fabric of societies and economies in many regions. A quarter-century later, the impact of the viral disease remains sobering.
The latest estimates from the World Health Organization and UNAIDS put the number of new infections at 6,800 per day. In 2007, HIV/AIDS claimed 2.1 million lives. More than 33 million people worldwide live with the infection.
The challenge in containing the AIDS pandemic goes well beyond a disappointing quest for a vaccine. The failure emphasizes again that for the foreseeable future, global success in controlling the viral infection will depend on applying the precautions research has taught in 25 years, the simplest of which is to avoid complacence about risky behavior.
Get the full article here.
