More than 950 HIV medical professionals sent a letter today urging Congressional members not to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA) without establishing a viable replacement plan that will continue to offer affordable coverage to those eligible under the ACA, and to sustain the federal commitment to the Medicaid program. Prior to the enactment of the ACA, many individuals living with HIV were denied health insurance coverage because of their pre-existing condition or were charged extraordinary premiums that left coverage out of reach. In most states, prior to the ACA, low-income patients with HIV were denied Medicaid coverage until they became sick and disabled, and did not have the resources to participate in health savings accounts.

With reliable access to health care and the antiretroviral therapy that effectively suppresses the virus, individuals with HIV can stay healthy and live near normal life expectancies.  When they are healthy and virally suppressed their risk of transmitting the virus drops to near zero. Access to antiretroviral therapy not only improves an individual’s health but also the health of the community and is a critical tool to help stop the ongoing HIV epidemic.

The physicians, pharmacists, physician assistants, nurses — from advanced practice nurses to assistants -- and other medical professionals signing the letter released today work on the frontlines of the HIV epidemic and are members of the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA), American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) and the Ryan White Medical Providers Coalition (RWMPC).

HIVMA, AAHIVM, ANAC, RWMPC urge Congress to consider the needs of individuals with HIV and the millions of others whose health care may be at risk before taking action that will undermine the significant progress made in expanding access to health insurance coverage over the last several years. The lives of individuals with HIV and our nation’s public health depend on it.

The HIV Medicine Association is the professional home for nearly 5,000 physicians, scientists, and other health care professionals dedicated to the field of HIV/AIDS. Nested within the Infectious Diseases Society of America, HIVMA promotes quality in HIV care and advocates policies that ensure a comprehensive and humane response to the AIDS pandemic informed by science and social justice. See more at: 

The American Academy of HIV Medicine is a professional organization that supports HIV practitioners and promotes accessible, quality care for all Americans living with HIV disease.  Our membership of HIV practitioners and credentialed providers give direct care to the majority of HIV patients in the US. Learn more at www.aahivm.org.

Articles

Physicians who treat HIV are urging Congress to save the Affordable Care Act. 

HIV Medical Professionals Urge Congress to Do No Harm

The American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), based in Washington DC, the nation’s largest independent HIV care provider organization, is proud to launch the AAHIVM Core Curriculum in HIV Care, Prevention and Treatment, a web-based learning resource covering both the basics of HIV and the latest advances in clinical care.  This online resource is designed to assist care providers new to the HIV field seeking baseline knowledge on prevention, testing and transmission, as well as provide experienced HIV practitioners with insight into more complex topics and clinical advances. It can also be used as a study resource for the HIV Specialist™ (and HIV Pharmacist) Credentialing Exam as well as a teaching tool for students, fellows and residents.

	The AAHIVM Core Curriculum builds upon the content found in the Academy’s signature publication, the AAHIVM Fundamentals of HIV Medicine, by adapting the printed information into 16 digital learning modules, and is scheduled to be updated annually with the latest clinical research and topics. Each module includes downloadable pre-reads, narrated slide presentations, and self-assessment questions.  Modules include:

	“One of our principle ‘raisons d’etre’ as an Academy for HIV providers is to make sure that the domestic HIV workforce has ongoing access to core competency trainings in HIV and its co-morbidities,” said AAHIVM Deputy Director Bruce Packett. “We have keenly tailored this core resource to the educational needs existing HIV-specializing clinicians, to primary care providers who are treating and preventing HIV in their practices, and to the next generation of the HIV workforce,” concluded Packett.  

	The modules were reviewed and presented by four experienced HIV Specialists™, all members of the AAHIVM Board of Directors and co-editors of the AAHIVM Fundamentals of HIV Medicine:

Jonathan Appelbaum, MD, FACP, AAHIVS, Florida State University, College of Medicine, Tallahassee, FL

W. David Hardy, MD, AAHIVS, Whitman-Walker Health, Washington, D.C.

William Short, MD, MPH, AAHIVS, UPenn Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA

Jeffrey Kirchner, DO, AAHIVS Lancaster General Hospital, Lancaster, PA

	In order to access the AAHIVM Core Curriculum, you must be a member of the American Academy of HIV Medicine. To join AAHIVM, or to learn more about the other benefits of becoming an AAHIVM member, visit the Academy website at www.aahivm.org.

	The program is produced by the American Academy of HIV Medicine and supported by unrestricted grants from Gilead Sciences and ViiV Healthcare.

	AAHIVM Core Curriculum can be accessed by going to the AAHIVM website.  Please note, you must be logged in as an AAHIVM Member to access the program. 

	The American Academy of HIV Medicine is a professional organization that supports the HIV practitioners and promotes accessible, quality care for all Americans living with HIV disease. Our membership of HIV practitioners and credentialed providers give direct care to more than three-fourths of HIV patients in the US. 

HIV Care, Prevention and Treatment, a web-based learning program, is now available to AAHIVM members.

Web-Based Learning Program for Frontline HIV Physicians Offered

The HIV and Aging Consensus Project , based in Washington, DC, is proud to announce the availability of free online CME/CE based upon the learnings from the report 

Recommended Treatment Strategies for Clinicians Managing Older Patients with HIV

.  Originally released in 2011 and updated in 2016, the report has emerged as the premier resource for managing HIV in older adults.  Housed on HIV-Age.org, the go-to online site for clinicians seeking best practices for managing the care of older people living with HIV, each chapter of the report provides CME/CE credit for a maximum total of 12.25 

™, as well as ACPE credit.  The CME/CE activity will be available until November 30, 2017.

“There is no better time than World AIDS Day to raise awareness of the population of older people living with HIV by bringing more education and resources to those dedicated professionals who are on the frontlines of care,” stated Jonathan Appelbaum, MD, FACP, AAHIVS, of Florida State University and Medical Co-Director of HIV-Age.org.  “As our initiative reminds us — those who provide clinical care to HIV-infected older adults are spending more time addressing and managing comorbidities associated with aging and not HIV. Multimorbidity management is best achieved by embracing geriatrics principles.”

Addressing the needs of older adults is essential to the HIV epidemic in the U.S. In major metro areas more than half of all those living with HIV are age 50 and older. For example, in San Francisco, more than 60% of people living with HIV are over 50 and in New York City, the estimate is 55%.

The HIV and Aging Consensus Project was developed by the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), ACRIA and the American Geriatrics Society (AGS) to assess how the presence of both HIV and common age-associated diseases alters the optimal treatment of HIV, as well as other co-existing medical conditions. As part of this project, in 2011, project members released 

.  The report, developed by a panel of experts with experience in the fields of HIV and Geriatrics, continues to provide guidance for HIV clinicians and other health care providers who treat, diagnose and refer older patients with HIV disease.

The following chapters now offer online CME/CE credits:

Chapter 3 — Assessing Frailty and Functional Capacity

Chapter 7 — Detection and Screening for HIV in Older Adults

Chapter 8 — When to Initiate Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV and Aging

Chapter 9 — Immunizations in HIV and Aging

Chapter 10 — Smoking Cessation in HIV and Aging

Chapter 11 — Cardiovascular Disease Screening and Prevention in HIV

Chapter 12 — Diabetes Mellitus in HIV and Aging

Chapter 13 — Drug-drug Interactions and Polypharmacy in HIV and Aging

Chapter 15 — Viral Hepatitis Screening in HIV and Aging

Chapter 16 — Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in HIV and Aging

Chapter 17 — Sexual Health in HIV and Aging

Chapter 18 — Osteoporosis in HIV and Aging

Chapter 19 — The Kidney in HIV and Aging

Chapter 20 — Hypertension in HIV and Aging

Chapter 21 — Older Age and HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND)

Chapter 22 — Depression in HIV and Aging

Chapter 23 — Anxiety Disorders in HIV and Aging

Chapter 25 — HIV-1 Associated Peripheral Neuropathologies in HIV and Aging

Chapter 26 — Advance Care Planning in HIV and Aging

Chapter 28 — PrEP and the Older Adult with HIV

Chapter 29 — Nutrition in HIV and Aging

The CME/CE activity was jointly provided by Postgraduate Institute for Medicine (

) and AAHIVM; in collaboration with ACRIA and AGS.

Also, please visit HIV-Age.org regularly for editorials by leading clinicians, researchers and thought-leaders in the field, scientific spotlight articles on the latest research and treatment options, thought-provoking case studies and useful medical and government resources and links. 

HIV and Aging Consensus Project recognizes World AIDS Day by releasing free Online CME/CE. The course focuses on optimal treatment for older people living with HIV.


Free CME Course: Treating Older People with HIV

®, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage and peer-to-peer discussion, and 

™, the all-inclusive resource for infectious disease information, together announce they have expanded their Strategic Alliance Partners (SAP) program with the American Academy of HIV Medicine (AAHIVM), announced 

In making the announcement, Michael J. Hennessy, Jr said, “We are excited to be announcing this partnership with American Academy of HIV Medicine, who has been on the forefront of providing the latest HIV research and development.”

The collaboration with the AAHIVM will benefit 

™ readers by providing them with unprecedented content, such as research developments, articles and interviews that can help physicians better serve their patients with HIV.

The AAHIVM provides HIV care providers the resources they need in giving optimal care for patients living with HIV. AAHIVM does this by providing continuing medical education and practice-management information. In addition, the AAHIVM advocates on behalf of the HIV care provider and provides numerous opportunities for peer-to-peer connection.

The Strategic Alliance Program is designed to share medical and scientific innovations in an open exchange of information among trusted peers. The expectation of the exchange of information will better serve the patients. SAP’s topics will range from best practices relative to practice-management strategies, treatment decisions and much more.

, is a fully integrated digital news and print publication that provides health care practitioners and aligned professionals with timely information and resources to improve patient outcomes, and positively impact the identification, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases.

™ is part of Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc., a full-service health care communications company offering education, research and medical media.

® is a comprehensive clinical news and information portal that provides physicians and other health care professionals with up-to-date, specialty- and disease-specific resources designed to help them provide better care to patients. Readers have access to breaking news, video interviews with physician experts, in-depth conference coverage, finance and practice-management updates, insight and analysis from physician contributors and other multimedia resources. 

® is part of Michael J. Hennessy Associates, Inc., a full-service health care communications company offering education, research and medical media.

The American Academy of HIV Medicine is a professional organization that supports the HIV practitioners and promotes accessible, quality care for all Americans living with HIV disease. Our membership of HIV practitioners and credentialed providers give direct care to more the majority of HIV patients in the US.

MD MagazineÂ® and Contagionâ„¢ expand Strategic Alliance Partnership with American Academy of HIV Medicine.

MD MagazineÂ® and Contagionâ„¢ Partner with the American Academy of HIV Medicine

The FDA announced earlier today that is has approved Endoceutics’s drug Intrarosa (prasterone) to treat sexual pain associated with vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA).

The once-daily vaginal insert was found effective in a pair of previous placebo-controlled 12 week trials, with women reporting it decreased severity of pain from sex. VVA is thought to be caused by decreased levels of estrogen in vaginal tissue as a result of menopause. VVA can cause pain during and after sexual intercourse, a condition called dyspareunia.

Four additional 12-week placebo-controlled trials and one yearlong open-label trial established Intrarosa’s safety. Adverse effects described in those studies were abnormal Pap smear and vaginal discharge.

The active ingredient in Intrarosa, prasterone, is also called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and is used in some dietary supplements. According to the FDA’s 

, “the efficacy and safety of those products have not been established for diagnosing, curing, mitigating, treating or preventing any disease.”

This is the first FDA-approved product containing DHEA.

Audrey Gassman, M.D., of the Division of Bone, Reproductive, and Urologic Products (DBRUP) at the FDA called Intrarosa “an additional treatment option for women seeking relief of dyspareunia caused by VVA."

Phase 3 Trial Supports Investigational Drug for VVA

Obesity Worsens Hot Flashes, Other Menopausal Symptoms

Age, Education, Health Status Predict Depression Risk in Women with Diabetes

The once-daily vaginal insert was found safe and effective in reducing vulvar and vaginal atrophy pain from intercourse. This is the first drug appoved by the FDA that contains its active ingredient, dehydroepiandrosterone.

Intrarosa Approved by FDA For Postmenopausal Women Who Experience Pain During Sex

, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage and peer-to-peer discussion, has added the 

A three-time designee as a Center of Excellence in Enhancing Student Learning and Professional Development by the National League for Nursing, the Duquesne University School of Nursing prepares nurses to practice professional nursing that meets the dynamic health care needs of individuals, families, groups and communities. The faculty of nursing integrates nursing science, research, services and evidence-based practice with moral and spiritual values, preparing its students to be leaders, locally and globally. These focus areas will be the basis of unique and enriching content, including articles, video interviews, research information, and more, within 

“The Duquesne University School of Nursing is one of the leading programs in the country, with staff knowledge and program innovations resulting in unique content for 

 readers and website visitors,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president of 

. “Its focus on nursing science and evidence-based practice is ideal for our audience, further making this partnership perfect for both organizations.”

Duquesne University School of Nursing Dean Mary Ellen Glasgow added, “In existence for nearly 80 years, the School of Nursing provides an energetic, engaging learning environment that emphasizes evidence-based nursing, critical thinking, ethical practice, community service and a commitment to social justice. This collaboration with 

 allows us to further expand our reach while providing an outlet to share our advancements and educational highlights to help professional nurses take better care of patients, families and the communities they serve.”

 created the SAP program to share scientific and medical innovations in an open exchange of information among trusted peers. With a goal of better patient care for physicians, the program focuses on topics ranging from treatment decisions to best practices relative to practice management strategies to much more.

 is a comprehensive clinical news and information portal that provides physicians and other health care professionals with up-to-date specialty- and disease-specific resources designed to help them provide better care to patients. Readers have access to breaking news, video interviews with physician experts, in-depth conference coverage, finance and practice management updates, insight and analysis from physician contributors and other multimedia resources. MD Magazine is part of 

, a full-service health care communications company offering education, research and medial media.

About Duquesne University School of Nursing

The Duquesne University School of Nursing offered the nation's first online Ph.D. in Nursing Program, as well as the first Biomedical Engineering/BSN Dual Degree Program. The school was ranked No. 18 among the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs in 2016 by 

MD Magazine, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage, and peer-to-peer discussion, has added the Duquesne University School of Nursing to its Strategic Alliance Partners (SAP) program. 

MD Magazine Expands Nursing Content Providers with Addition of Duquesne University School of Nursing to Strategic Alliance Partnership

, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage and peer-to-peer discussion, has boosted its 

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)

, the leading educational, training and networking organization for multiple sclerosis health care professionals and researchers.

With a vision of being the preeminent organization of multiple sclerosis health care providers improving the lives of those affected by multiple sclerosis, the CMSC’s mission is to stimulate and facilitate multiple sclerosis research; develop and implement mechanisms to influence health care delivery; and share information and knowledge among CMSC members and the health care community for the benefit of those affected by multiple sclerosis. These focus areas will be the basis of unique and enriching content, including articles, video interviews, research information, content from its annual meeting, and more, within 

“As MD Magazine builds its strategic alliance partners program, organizations such as the CMSC are vital to ensuring innovative content focused on the plethora of topics and issues related to better patient care for physicians,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president of 

. “CMSC’s dedicated focus on multiple sclerosis will result in news and insight from the forefront of multiple sclerosis care.”

CMSC CEO June Halper added, “One of our objectives is to reach and educate the multi-disciplinary team of health care professionals, involved in multiple sclerosis, on the stimulating research and advances occurring in the field. This collaboration provides outstanding print and digital forums enabling us to communicate what’s happening with CMSC and multiple sclerosis in general.”

About Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)

CMSC, the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers

, is the leading educational, training, and networking organization for MS health care professionals and researchers. The CMSC mission is to promote high quality MS care through educational programming and accreditation including live and online events, research grants, technical journals and papers, and targeted advocacy efforts. The CMSC member network includes more than 11,000 international health care clinicians and scientists committed to MS care, as well as more than 60 Veterans Administration MS Programs and 225 MS Centers in the US, Canada, and Europe. The 30th CMSC Annual Meeting, the largest gathering of MS professionals in North America, will take place June 1-4, 2016, in National Harbor, Maryland, just outside of Washington, DC.  For more information go to 

. Follow CMSC on Twitter: @mscare.org and Facebook: CMSCmscare.

MD Magazine has boosted its Strategic Alliance Partners (SAP) program by teaming up with the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC), the leading educational, training, and networking organization for multiple sclerosis health care professionals and researchers.

Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Joins MD Magazine Strategic Alliance Partnership to Bolster Unique Multiple Sclerosis Content

, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage and peer-to-peer discussion, today announced that it has expanded its 

University of North Carolina’s (UNC) Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases (IGHID).

 visitors by providing them with rich, infectious disease content such as research developments, video interviews, articles, and more from UNC’s IGHID. The mission of IGHID is to harness the full resources of UNC-Chapel Hill and its partners to solve global health problems, reduce the burden of disease, and cultivate the next generation of global health leaders.

“IGHID is a leader in HIV research and Institute investigators are presently researching emerging infections such as Ebola and the Zika virus,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president of 

 readers and website visitors with news and insight from the forefront of IGHID‘s infectious disease research and advancements so physicians can gather additional vision into offering superior patient care.”

IGHID Director Dr. Myron Cohen added, “Our clinicians and researchers at UNC are leaders in the field, investigating and treating infectious diseases old (HIV) and new (Zika). These diseases intersect with other specialties like cardiology and OB/GYN. Our partnership with 

 will introduce our faculty’s work to a broader audience.”

Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases

UNC’s Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases

 is to harness the full resources of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and its partners to solve global health problems, reduce the burden of disease, and cultivate the next generation of global health leaders. The Institute is a leader in HIV research, earning the journal Science’s prestigious designation “Breakthrough of the Year” in 2011 for proving the theory of treatment as prevention. In 2015, the Institute launched Qura Therapeutics with GSK — the first academic-industry partnership dedicated to curing HIV. Institute investigators are also researching emerging infections including Ebola and Zika virus.

MD Magazine, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage, and peer-to-peer discussion, today announced that it has expanded its Strategic Alliance Partners (SAP) program with the addition of the University of North Carolina's (UNC) Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases (IGHID).

MD Magazine Grows Strategic Alliance Partnership with University of North Carolina's Institute for Global Health & Infectious Diseases

, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage and peer-to-peer discussion, today announced that it has added Philadelphia-based 

 visitors by providing them with rich content, such as research and treatment developments, video interviews, articles, and more from Hahnemann University Hospital, a tertiary care institution that specializes in cardiac services, heart failure, OB/GYN, orthopedics, medical, surgical and radiation oncology, bone marrow transplantation, renal dialysis, and kidney/liver transplantation.

“Hahnemann University Hospital distinguishes itself as a leader in redefining health care delivery by providing high-quality, innovative inpatient, outpatient and surgical services to patients in the Philadelphia area,” said Mike Hennessy Jr., president of 

 readers and website visitors with news and insight from the forefront of Hahnemann‘s research and treatment so physicians can gather additional vision into offering superior patient care.”

 is a comprehensive clinical news and information portal that provides physicians and other health care professionals with up-to-date specialty- and disease-specific resources designed to help them provide better care to patients. Readers have access to breaking news, video interviews with physician experts, in-depth conference coverage, finance and practice management updates, insight and analysis from physician contributors and other multimedia resources. MD Magazine is part of Michael J. Hennessy Associates Inc., a full-service healthcare communications company offering education, research and medial media.

Hahnemann University Hospital is a 496-bed, academic medical center at Broad and Vine Streets in Philadelphia. The hospital is a tertiary care institution that specializes in cardiac services, heart failure, OB/GYN, orthopedics, medical, surgical and radiation oncology, bone marrow transplantation, renal dialysis, and kidney/liver transplantation. In 2009, Hahnemann earned Magnet® designation by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program® and received redesignation in 2015. Hahnemann is recognized by the American Heart Association as a leader in stroke and heart failure treatments. U.S. News and World Report’s 2015-16 “Best Hospital’s” report named Hahnemann among the best in the region and state, also ranking Hahnemann as one of the top 10 hospitals in the Philadelphia metro area. Hahnemann has been recognized as a 2014 Top Performer on Key Quality Measures by The Joint Commission for attaining and sustaining excellence in Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Pneumonia, Surgical Care, Stroke and Perinatal measure sets.

The hospital performed one of the city’s first kidney transplants in 1963 and one of the first bone marrow transplants in 1976.  Hahnemann became Philadelphia’s first Level I Regional Resource Trauma Center for adults in 1986, and since then has been served by MidAtlantic MedEvac, an aeromedical transport program for critically ill patients. Hahnemann is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation’s oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency. An affiliate of Drexel University College of Medicine, Hahnemann University Hospital is part of Tenet Pennsylvania, which also includes St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. To learn more about Hahnemann, visit 

MD Magazine, the leading online and print source of physician news, conference coverage, and peer-to-peer discussion, today announced that it has added Philadelphia-based Hahnemann University Hospital to its growing roster of Strategic Alliance Partners (SAP).

MD Magazine Expands Strategic Alliance Partnership with Hahnemann University Hospital

, an online and print publication with a national physician readership, surveyed 1,700 U.S. physicians (928 of whom responded) and found that 55.34 percent said they own guns, with about two-thirds of those respondents saying they use their weapon primarily for personal protection.

physician’s poll on curbing gun violence

		    Most physicians own guns and use them for personal protection.

		    Physicians are split on whether they have a role in curbing gun violence.

		    A majority of physicians support stronger gun control.

		    Nearly all physicians who support more gun control favored increased background checks, and 41.5 percent favored a ban on concealed weapons.

		    Most physicians said the American Medical Association (AMA) should not take a stand on gun control.

		    More than half of respondents said they have never asked a patient whether there is a gun in the patient’s home.

	Those opposed to asking said they felt it was none of their business. Among those who said they do ask, many said it was routine in cases when there is a suicide risk or other psychiatric concerns. Some commenters indicated that the question was part of a standard form new patients fill out. The issue has become a point of contention, as some states have passed laws limiting physicians’ ability to ask about guns and gun safety. The AMA’s House of Delegates last year voted to oppose such laws.

	The survey also found the respondents were split on whether physicians have a role to play in curbing gun violence. Of 901 who responded to a question on that topic, 43.6 percent said no, it is not something doctors need to do. But 40.3 percent said, yes. Overall, more than 16 percent of those who responded wrote comments, with feelings often running high. For example, one physician who said, no, commented “There are too many burdens already placed on physicians.”

	But those who said, yes, stressed that gun ownership is hazardous. “We’ve had several children lost to handgun accidents and our practice has had a few suicides by handgun,” said one physician, “Discussions about gun safety go on in my clinic.”

	More than half of physicians polled felt more gun controls are needed. Of those who answered a question on which controls they favored (608 respondents), more than 93.7 percent said that should be in the form of better background checks. But when asked if physicians should be directly involved in curbing gun violence, more respondents said it was not their job, than said it was a health issue in which doctors should play a role. As for organized medicine getting involved, a majority agreed the AMA should not take a stand on gun control.

, a full-service healthcare communications company offering education, research and medial media.

MD Magazine, an online and print publication with a national physician readership, surveyed 1,700 U.S. physicians (928 of whom responded) and found that 55.34 percent said they own guns, with about two-thirds of those respondents saying they use their weapon primarily for personal protection.

Press Release