Since the global HIV/AIDS epidemic reached its peak in the late 1990s, advancements in medicine and outreach have increased chances of survival and lowered the transmission rate of the virus around the world. But in countries like Uganda, where the prevalence rate is 6.5 percent, there’s still a lot of work to be done – especially in the high-risk communities that encircle Lake Victoria.
The Affordable Care Act did a lot to expand HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention for people at highest risk for the disease. But if the Republican Obamacare replacement bill becomes law, much of this progress could be reversed, according to epidemiologist Greg Millett.
Medical marijuana has now been available in Illinois for about 18 months. But many around the state, particularly in Southern Illinois, say they can't find a doctor in their area to help them. A few groups have found a way to change that — they're now bringing doctors directly to the patients with qualifying conditions. More than 30 hopeful patients registered for a recent clinic in Shelbyvlle, held by Medical Cannabis Outreach.
Author David Quammen is speaking on the University of Illinois campus. Quammen is the author of the award-winning book “Spillover” about the spread of viruses such as H-I-V and Ebola from animals to humans.
