Julian Omidi is a philanthropist working to bring awareness to the issues of poverty. One major issue, which Julian Omidi discusses here. is the predominance of diseases among the impoverished around the world and the cost of healthcare.
Unfortunately HIV and poverty are closely linked not only in impoverished countries such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa but also in the United States. In Sub-Saharan Africa 14,000 people are infected with HIV EVERY DAY, with 11,000 dying each day from related illnesses. It is no coincidence that these people reside in countries where 60% of the population lives on less than $1 a day. In the United States there is also a significant link between HIV and poverty; 2.1% of heterosexual men living in high-poverty areas in the U.S. are infected with HIV/AIDS.
For many of those living in poverty, adequate health care is difficult if not impossible to receive and this results in a higher rate of fatality due to cancer. As adequate testing and treatment are not readily available to the impoverished cancer identification can be a significant stumbling block in the way of surviving cancer.
With this knowledge it is with great to share that researchers in London have developed an "ultra-sensitive sensor" that will assist in identifying and detecting diseases earlier on in the process. This new visual sensor would not only provide a simple way to identify HIV and prostate cancer, it would also make such tests relatively inexpensive.
The new test would be performed in a disposable container, with a solution that would turn blue for positive detection and red for negative. It is also 10 times more sensitive than current technology and could benefit in providing detection in previously undetectable cases of infection. The co-author of the study had this to say about the findings:
"We have developed a test that we hope will enable previously undetectable HIV infections and indicators of cancer to be picked up, which would mean people could be treated sooner," said co-author Dr. Roberto de la Rica. "We also believe that this test could be significantly cheaper to administer, which could pave the way for more widespread use of HIV testing in poorer parts of the world."
The team that has developed this technology plan on providing nonprofit health organization with guidance on how they can manufacture, fund, and distribute this new test to developing countries throughout the world.
This is significant news and hopefully this test will be approved for clinical use quickly and provided to the people in poor areas across the United States and around the world.
By
Julian Omidi
Sources:
Gallagher, James. "Cheap Colour Test Picks up HIV." BBC News. BBC, 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20084303>.
Hall, Susan D. "Easier, Better, Inexpensive Testing ... with the Naked Eye." FierceHealthIT. FierceMarkets, 29 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012.
< http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/easier-better-inexpensive-testing-naked-eye/2012-10-29>.
Mbirimtengerenji, Noel Dzimnenani. "Is HIV/Aids Epidemic Outcome of Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa?" National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S.
National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2007. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2205968/.
Winslow, Ron, and Betsy McKay. "Study Looks at HIV and Poverty." Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Compnay, 18 July 2010. Web. 29 Oct. 2012.
< http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704875004575375070903484974.html>.
Unfortunately HIV and poverty are closely linked not only in impoverished countries such as those in Sub-Saharan Africa but also in the United States. In Sub-Saharan Africa 14,000 people are infected with HIV EVERY DAY, with 11,000 dying each day from related illnesses. It is no coincidence that these people reside in countries where 60% of the population lives on less than $1 a day. In the United States there is also a significant link between HIV and poverty; 2.1% of heterosexual men living in high-poverty areas in the U.S. are infected with HIV/AIDS.
For many of those living in poverty, adequate health care is difficult if not impossible to receive and this results in a higher rate of fatality due to cancer. As adequate testing and treatment are not readily available to the impoverished cancer identification can be a significant stumbling block in the way of surviving cancer.
With this knowledge it is with great to share that researchers in London have developed an "ultra-sensitive sensor" that will assist in identifying and detecting diseases earlier on in the process. This new visual sensor would not only provide a simple way to identify HIV and prostate cancer, it would also make such tests relatively inexpensive.
The new test would be performed in a disposable container, with a solution that would turn blue for positive detection and red for negative. It is also 10 times more sensitive than current technology and could benefit in providing detection in previously undetectable cases of infection. The co-author of the study had this to say about the findings:
"We have developed a test that we hope will enable previously undetectable HIV infections and indicators of cancer to be picked up, which would mean people could be treated sooner," said co-author Dr. Roberto de la Rica. "We also believe that this test could be significantly cheaper to administer, which could pave the way for more widespread use of HIV testing in poorer parts of the world."
The team that has developed this technology plan on providing nonprofit health organization with guidance on how they can manufacture, fund, and distribute this new test to developing countries throughout the world.
This is significant news and hopefully this test will be approved for clinical use quickly and provided to the people in poor areas across the United States and around the world.
By
Julian Omidi
Sources:
Gallagher, James. "Cheap Colour Test Picks up HIV." BBC News. BBC, 28 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20084303>.
Hall, Susan D. "Easier, Better, Inexpensive Testing ... with the Naked Eye." FierceHealthIT. FierceMarkets, 29 Oct. 2012. Web. 29 Oct. 2012.
< http://www.fiercehealthit.com/story/easier-better-inexpensive-testing-naked-eye/2012-10-29>.
Mbirimtengerenji, Noel Dzimnenani. "Is HIV/Aids Epidemic Outcome of Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa?" National Center for Biotechnology Information. U.S.
National Library of Medicine, Oct. 2007. Web. 29 Oct. 2012. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2205968/.
Winslow, Ron, and Betsy McKay. "Study Looks at HIV and Poverty." Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Compnay, 18 July 2010. Web. 29 Oct. 2012.
< http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704875004575375070903484974.html>.
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