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Biomedical subjects

James W Curran

Publications and source records attributed to James W Curran.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

What works, and what remains to be done, in HIV prevention in the United States.

Since the beginning of the HIV epidemic in the United States, HIV prevention programs have prevented hundreds of thousands of HIV infections, and the investment in these programs has actually been cost-saving to society in terms of medical costs averted. A substantial body of evidence exists (including randomized controlled trials and careful meta-analyses) which demonstrates that various HIV prevention services are effective; an increasingly large body of data also demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of these interventions. However, the efforts to utilize these interventions in a comprehensive HIV prevention program are hampered by insufficient funding, imperfect targeting strategies, and a problematic policy environment that creates barriers to the use of some of these life-saving interventions. Progress toward reducing new HIV infections will likely be as much a function of improvements in funding and policies as it will in the development of new tools for HIV prevention.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed2005

Public health literacy in America: an ethical imperative.

One of public health professionals' major challenges is to provide the public with messages that are understandable and based on science. Traditionally, public health communication efforts have focused on the science behind the message rather than on how the information should be communicated and whether the message is understood. With more than one third of the U.S. population struggling with low health literacy, ensuring that individuals understand critical health messages is an ethical imperative for public health agencies, organizations, and professionals. This paper explores the ethical implications of public health literacy and the steps the public health community needs to take to promote a society that is public health literate.

Communication↗
PubMed2002

HIV-1 and HIV-2 seroprevalence and risk factors among hospital outpatients in the Eastern Region of Ghana, West Africa.

A cross-sectional study of 854 outpatients seen at three hospitals in the Eastern Region of Ghana, West Africa assessed HIV-1 and HIV-2 seroprevalence rates and associated risk factors. During mid-1999, patients were tested in an anonymous study linked to a questionnaire and abstracted record data in three distinct communities with differing levels of urbanization. Combined HIV seroprevalence rates were 19.2% for Agomanya, the most rural community, 5.1% for Akwatia, and 3.4% for Nkawkaw, the most urbanized community. HIV-1 infection alone accounted for 84.5% of cases, compared with 9.5% and 6.0% for HIV-2 and dual infection, respectively. In a multivariable model, the Agomanya location was significantly associated with HIV status (odds ratio [OR], 7.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.9-20.1; p <.0001). Employed people were also more likely to be infected (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.02-18.3; p =.047). Among prenatal patients, those from Agomanya were more likely to report no live-in partner or spouse compared with Nkawkaw and Akwatia (p <.0001). These findings suggest sexual partner exchange patterns may be more useful in explaining HIV seroprevalence rates than level of community urbanization. Intervention programs directed at these high risk populations for HIV infection in Ghana are urgently needed.

Adolescent↗