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Michigan News
See also the DHWDC section and
News around the State
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September News
MHAC Looks at New Risks
The Michigan HIV/AIDS Council met on the first day of September for its usual
packed agenda. Following approval of the Needs Assessment and Comprehensive Plan
and a report on the A4C sponsored - very
successful - mother and daughter event held in August, the presentations ran the
gamut of issues surrounding HIV. From an MDCH HIV Surveillance report on a
limited source study of YMSM behavior that puts them at risk for HIV to a small
but very innovative study of lesbian culture and risk behaviors by MSU
researchers, with an extensive look at the work of Gospel Against AIDS work that
has expanded internationally, there was, as usual, a lot of useful information
to digest for members and guests. Co-chair Ryan Webster reminded everyone upon
closing that it was important for everyone to take this information back their
communities and share it. Check back to find the PowerPoint presentations linked
from the Statewide Planning page.
See August News
News Around the State
"Annual AIDS Walk/Run Raises Funds, Awareness"
Grand Rapids Press , (08.29.2010) Monica Scott CDC NPIN Summary
Saturday’s 18th annual AIDS Walk/Run in Grand Rapids attracted about 135
registered participants who raised more than $10,000. The event, which had more
than a dozen sponsors, helps support the Grand Rapids Red Project, AIDS Inc.,
Saint Mary’s Health Center, and the Westminster Ryan White Food Pantry. “Events
like this are important for getting the word out about the disease and helping
break the stigma that surrounds it,” said participant Manita Patel. “HIV/AIDS
can be prevented.”
Craig Covey Retires
A member of the original Michigan Special Office on AIDS Prevention (SOAP) team
for the Michigan Department of Community Health (called Public Health at the
time), chosen for his connections with the gay community, Craig Covey was a
leader of HIV prevention efforts in the metro Detroit gay community for over two
decades. The agency he founded in 1986, the Midwest AIDS Prevention Project had
programs that at one time reached statewide and beyond state lines. As its CEO,
Covey managed one of the best prevention programs targeting MSM in the state, a
program that evolved with the changing complexion of the epidemic. Last year he
was instrumental in forging the merger of MAPP with the Michigan AIDS Fund to
form the Michigan AIDS Coalition and at that time became the new organization's
Chief Operations Officer. Always a politician, in later years Covey wore the
dual hats of CEO for MAPP and the City of Ferndale official positions of council
member and then Mayor. On August 31 he gave up his position at MAC to focus his
full attention on winning a seat on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners in
November. You can Read Covey's Blog at
http://www.coveys-corner.blogspot.com/
"Sex and the Senior: What Older Adults Need to Know
That Is Not Often Talked About"
Grand Rapids Press , (08.09.2010) Paul R. Kopenkoskey
CDC NPIN Summary
Older adults comprise a small but growing population of residents in the Grand
Rapids area with STDs.
“While the absolute numbers seem small, I worry about exponential growth,” said
Dr. Russell Lampen, an infectious-disease specialist with Spectrum Health
Medical Group.
In Kent County, chlamydia cases among those age 45 and older increased from 338
in 2002 to 527 in 2007. In that same age group, gonorrhea cases increased from
549 to 686 during those years.
Some researchers attribute the increase in STDs among older adults to the
availability of Viagra and other erectile dysfunction (ED) drugs. At the same
time, it is possible that people who choose to use such drugs also are less
likely to engage in safe-sex practices.
Another explanation is generational. Those who came of age in the 1960s and
1970s may perceive STDs as curable and thus relatively insignificant.
“I think people sort of see these as diseases of adolescence, not something that
would affect older people - something kids get, not adults,” Lampen said.
Lampen encouraged health officials to broach the issue of safe sex with older
adults, particularly those who are single, and men who request ED drugs.
“Patients need to realize the only safe sex is when they protect [them]selves
with a condom. You can’t predict which partner is safe by appearance,” Lampen
said.
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