The following will be published in the July 19 issue of The Lancet:

Poor multiple sclerosis care The UK’s Royal College of Physicians and the Multiple Sclerosis Trust have issued a report which shows that the NHS is failing to meet the guidelines for multiple sclerosis care that were issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence 5 years ago. The data show inequalities in access to specialised neurological rehabilitation, which is crucial in limiting disability.

Abortion rights Abortion in Brazil will remain a criminal offence except in cases of rape or if a woman’s life is in danger. The government had backed moves to decriminalise abortion. At least a million Brazilian women are believed to have had abortions, despite the possibility of a jail term. Church groups lobbied hard against the proposals, and only four MPs voted in favour.

Indigenous health Health researcher Ian Anderson will chair a National Indi­genous Health Equality Council, which will advise the Australian Govern­ment on its com­mit­ments to indigenous health. The Council is the latest effort to address the high level of child mortality and the 17-year life expectancy gap between indi­genous and non-indigenous Australians.

HIV awareness needed The non-governmental Israel AIDS Task Force (IATF) has reported a substantial increase in HIV infection in young Israelis aged 18–25 years, although the UN estimates that only 4000 people were HIV positive by the end of 2005. IATF has called for the government to invest in raising HIV awareness and to deliver prevention messages effectively to vulnerable populations.

Discrimination apology In an extra­ordinary statement, the American Medical Association (AMA) has apolo­gised for its history of racial in­equality towards African–Ameri­can doctors. The announcement was prompted by the out­come of an in­depen­dent study, by a panel of experts, into the history of the racial divide in organised medicine.

Doctors’ strike The Nepalese Govern­ment has pledged funding and action to protect health-care workers after doctors closed all hospitals and clinics in a 3-day strike last week, leaving only emergency units operational. Allegations of negligence and violent behaviour by patients and families have not been addressed, despite similar strike action in 2006.

Teenage health High-risk behaviours involving alcohol, drugs, violence, and unsafe sex should be the focus of a programme to address the specific health needs of teenagers, according to the UK’s chief medical officer, Liam Donaldson. In his annual report, he emphasises the need for a review of teenage health services and suggests measures such as a zero-alcohol limit for drivers up to 20 years of age.

Thai corruption case Thailand’s health minister was in hot water last week when the country’s top court ordered him to quit on corruption charges. Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled that Chaiya Sasomsup violated rules by failing to disclose some of his wife’s shareholdings within 30 days of being sworn in as a Cabinet minister. Sasomsup has accepted the ruling.

Product warning The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has ruled that fluoroquinolone antibiotics must carry a black-box warning of the increased risk of tendon injuries. Consumer group Public Citizen, who sued the FDA in January, 2008, for not issuing the warning, has welcomed the measure, but has criticised the FDA for failing to do enough to actively warn doctors and patients of the risk.

HIV lottery A competition launched in South Africa by Discovery Health and the Sunday Times—Right to Know—is enticing people to take an HIV test by dangling a golden carrot. Those who have been tested, and have sought advice and collected their results are eligible for the year-long draw, from which one person per month will be picked to win R100 000 (US$13 000).

Salmonella salad Since April 10, 2008, more than 1000 people in 42 US states have been infected by Salmonella Saintpaul originating from tomatoes or possibly jalapeño peppers. The out­break coincided with the CDC’s food borne disease monitor—FoodNet—showing little decline in infection in recent years. Ironically, the FDA reported “signifi­cant progress” with their Food Protec­tion Plan on July 2.

A penny for your… Residents in a remote town in Tamil Nadu, India, are being paid to relieve themselves in public urinals rather than out in the open in a bid to promote good hygiene. Villagers are earning close to US$1 per month. The urine is also being collected and tested for its effectiveness as a crop fertiliser.

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