Foes of mandatory maternal HIV testing fear guidelines will lead to reprisals

Article Abstract:

Activists fear that federal guidelines recommending HIV counseling and testing for all pregnant women may empower efforts to enact mandatory HIV testing or compulsory HIV treatment laws. In 1994, research revealed that zidovudine (AZT) reduced the risk of mother-to-infant HIV transmission by two-thirds. These encouraging findings led the US Public Health Service to recommend HIV counseling and testing for all pregnant women. The guidelines stress that testing should be voluntary and HIV-infected pregnant women should decide whether to take AZT. Pregnant women who refuse testing and HIV-infected women who decline to take AZT should not face recrimination. Activists argue that the guidelines are based on incomplete data. Researchers do not know how maternal HIV concentration affects transmission and the long-term effects of AZT on infants are unclear. In addition, activists fear that the recommendations may fuel legislative support for mandatory testing as evidenced by bills in Illinois and New York.

Prevention, HIV infections, HIV infection in children, Pediatric HIV infections, Disease transmission, Pregnancy, HIV testing, HIV tests, HIV infection in pregnancy, United States. Public Health Service

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New prevention guidelines called 'state of the art.'(Medical News & Perspectives)

Article Abstract:

The US Preventive Services Task Force has released the updated version of its recommendations for preventing disease and injuries. The 1995 Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2nd ed., has been endorse by the American Academy of Family Physicians and has been adopted by several health care plans and medical societies. It took five years to evaluate over 6,000 studies of 200 preventive care interventions such as screening tests, counseling and immunization. The Guide recommends fecal blood testing or sigmoidoscopy for those 50 or older to detect colorectal cancer but does not recommend routine screening for prostate cancer. The Guide is neutral on the topic of routine mammograms for women younger than 50, which contradicts the advice of the American Cancer Society. And according to the Guide, annual physicals are probably unnecessary, but should be done in certain age groups and high-risk groups.

Preventive medicine, Medicine, Preventive

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Parkinson disease guidelines aid diagnosis, management

Article Abstract:

The American Academy of Neurology has developed new guidelines that address Parkinson disease in a more comprehensive manner, beginning with appropriate diagnostic criteria as the disease is often misdiagnosed and nonmotor complications such as depression and dementia frequently are left untreated. This set of guidelines is introduced with the aim to help neurologists and other physicians take better care of their patients.

Care and treatment, Diagnosis, Diagnostic errors, Risk factors, Depression, Mental, Depression (Mood disorder), Parkinson's disease, Parkinson disease, Disease/Disorder overview

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