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May '07 Health Briefs

UA DRIVE TARGETS PARKINSON'S

Prominent Arizonan and distinguished University of Arizona supporter Donald N. Soldwedel is chairing a $1.8 million drive to recruit two new Parkinson's disease researchers to The University of Arizona College of Medicine.

Parkinson's research is the first funding priority under the medical neurosciences initiative led by Frank Porreca, professor of pharmacology and anesthesiology at the UA College of Medicine.

This year, it is estimated that Parkinson's disease will affect the lives of more than 50,000 Arizonans. This common neurodegenerative disorder affects victims' ability to move, walk and communicate.

Current treatments for Parkinson's disease are inadequate, but research offers immense hope for the future. Scientific advances in genetics and molecular biology have provided great insight into processes in the brain that cause Parkinson's disease.

For more information about how to support Parkinson's research, call the UA College of Medicine Development Office at (520) 626-2827.


HISPANICS SHOW HIGHER HIV, DRUG USE RATES

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, Hispanics are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS, showing an infection rate nearly four times that of Anglos.

The largest minority group in the country, 40 percent of Hispanics are younger than 21 years old. Youth surveys indicate that younger Hispanics have a higher rate of illicit substance abuse than their African American or Anglo peers, making them particularly vulnerable to behaviors that could lead to infection.

Recent institute research shows that more work needs to be done in specific areas regarding the Hispanic community. These include understanding of a well-defined concept of the community to address barriers between drug users and treatment, evaluation of how various cultures affect HIV risk and protection, and research on biological factors related to risk, addiction, treatment and prevention.


SEX CONFERENCE FOR WOMEN OF COLOR

An upcoming conference, "Let's Talk About Sex!" is slated May 31- June 3 at the Wyndham O'Hare Hotel in Chicago.

The conference, presented by SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective, will focus on arming attendees with accurate information to take back to their communities. Workshops and plenary sessions will include discussions about sexuality, microbicides, genetic engineering, LBGTQ issues, midwifery, and more as seen through a reproductive justice lens.

For information and registration, call (402) 344-9629 or visit www.SisterSong.net.


MEDICAL CENTER NAMED AMONG NATION'S BEST

The University Medical Center in Tucson has been named one of the nation's 100 Top Hospitals in the 2006 Solucient study.

The award recognizes hospitals that have achieved excellence in clinical outcomes, patient safety, financial performance, efficiency and growth in patient volume. This is the second time the medical center, the primary teaching hospital of the University of Arizona Colleges of Medicine, has been recognized with this honor.

The study, National Benchmarks for Success, was recently released by Solucient, a provider of information and solutions to improve the cost and quality of healthcare and part of Thompson Healthcare.

For information and the complete list, visit www.100tophospitals.com.