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Biomedical subjects

Ralf Jürgens

Publications and source records attributed to Ralf Jürgens.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Injection drug use, HIV/AIDS and incarceration: evidence from the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study.

The reliance on law enforcement as the dominant drug policy approach has resulted in record incarceration rates in many countries. Human rights advocates and public health researchers have argued that the risks of HIV transmission resulting from injection drug use within Canadian prisons must be addressed. Despite a decade of advocacy and some progress made, this remains an urgent public health crisis. In light of these concerns, researchers working with the Vancouver Injection Drug Users Study (VIDUS) have undertaken a series of studies specific to injection drug use and HIV/AIDS in prisons. This article summarizes the body of evidence generated via VIDUS, discusses briefly the related human rights implications, and concludes with recommendations for action.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗
PubMed2005

Prisoners who inject drugs: public health and human rights imperatives.

This article examines the human rights and public health implications of injection drug use in prisons with a specific focus on HIV and hepatitis C (HCV) viruses. The authors argue that prisoners who inject drugs have a right to access harm reduction measures--those that reduce the harmful consequences of drug use without necessarily reducing drug consumption. Moreover, states that fulfill their obligation to provide prisoners with harm reduction measures such as access to bleach, substitution therapy, and sterile injection equipment implement sound public health policy with a positive impact for a population particularly vulnerable to HIV and HCV. Ultimately, this approach benefits not only prisoners but also prison staff and the public, and does not entail lessening of the safety and security of prisons.

AIDS Serodiagnosis↗
PubMed2004

Dublin Declaration on HIV/AIDS in prisons launched.

On 23 February 2004, the Dublin Declaration on HIV/AIDS in Prisons in Europe and Central Asia was launched. The Declaration focuses on prisons in Europe and Central Asia, but it is also relevant for prisons in other countries, including Canada, which are still far from having adopted a comprehensive approach, based on public health and human rights principles, to HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C in prisons.

HIV Infections↗
PubMed2004

Another review of prison-based needle exchange programs published.

In volume 8, issue 1 of the Review, we reported on the publication of a review of prison-based syringe-exchange programs (PSEPs) that concluded that such programs "are feasible and do provide benefit in the reduction of risk behaviour and the transmission of blood-borne infection without any unintended negative consequences." Another, more comprehensive review was recently published, confirming once again that PSEPs have been successful where they have been introduced.

Humans↗
PubMed2003

Review of prison-based needle exchange programs published.

A recent review of prison-based syringe-exchange (PSE) programs concludes that such programs "are feasible and do provide benefit in the reduction of risk behaviour and the transmission of blood-borne infection without any unintended negative consequences".

Humans↗
PubMed2003

South African prisoner wins payout after prison HIV infection.

An ex-prisoner who sued South Africa's prison authorities after contracting HIV has obtained a landmark payout--the first time the South African government has been held accountable for the spread of HIV in overpopulated prisons, Reuters reported on 12 February 2003.

HIV Infections↗
PubMed2003

Warsaw Declaration on HIV/AIDS and injection drug use adopted.

Explosive epidemics of HIV among injection drug users are occurring in both developing and developed countries. Globally, it is estimated that 10 percent of HIV infections are attributable to injection drug use, but this proportion is increasing, and is much higher in many countries. Effective interventions exist to prevent the spread of HIV among injection drug users, but in most countries they are being adopted too slowly, or not at all. On 14 November 2003, the Warsaw Declaration: A Framework for Effective Action on HIV/ADS and Injection Drug Use, was adopted at the 2nd International Policy Dialogue on HIV/AIDS. Its purpose is to provide a framework for--finally--"mounting an effective response that will slow and eventually stop the HIV/AIDS epidemic among injecting drug users worldwide."

Global Health↗