AIDS 2010: Reflections on Day 3

News of the ground-breaking research to develop a microbicide in South Africa triggered applause at AIDS 2010, the XVIII International AIDS Conference, which is being held this week in Vienna, Austria. The microbicide reduces the risk of HIV infection by 39%, and up to a maximum of 54%, and provides a window of opportunity for further preventive tools. It is clear that delegates were very pleased—this is what people want to see and hear. Read the press release.

Today Harris and I interviewed Mary Ann Burris, the founding director of the Trust for Indigenous Culture and Health (TICAH) in Kenya. The organisation was established in 2003 and seeks to understand and use the positive links between health and cultural beliefs, practices, expression and knowledge to improve health. TICAH has adopted its own definitions of heath and culture—culture meaning gender norms, which are very challenging and which can be redefined, and health meaning well-being, safety, respect, equity, intimacy and community and free from disease. The interview was very informative, and today we be interviewing Mary Akoth Elias, a community worker at TICAH.