Meeting the family planning needs of women living with HIV in US government global health programs.

The integration of health programs, including HIV and voluntary family planning, is a priority for US government foreign assistance. One critical component of family planning and HIV integration that has significant positive health outcomes is ensuring that all women living with HIV have access to both a full range of contraceptives and safe pregnancy counseling. This article outlines the US government global health strategy to meet the family planning needs of women living with HIV based on three key principles: a focus on reproductive rights through voluntarism and informed choice, quality service provision through evidence-based programming, and development of partnerships.

Are there differences of inflammatory bio-markers between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia?

Aim: This observational study was undertaken in order to analyse whether any differences could be detected between diabetic and non-diabetic patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) concerning the inflammatory response.

Methods: A total number of 259 consecutive patients with CLI were treated between October 2001 and January 2003.

Results: Among the 259 patients, 135 (52%) had diabetes, previously known in 123, and detected during hospitalization in 12.