Fact and Fallacy:Fact and Fallacy:HIV/AIDS And the WebHIV/AIDS And the Web

Fact and Fallacy:Fact and Fallacy:HIV/AIDS And the WebHIV/AIDS And the Web

Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD

Associate Health Ministries DirectorGeneral Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

Fred Hardinge, DrPH, RD

Associate Health Ministries DirectorGeneral Conference of Seventh-day Adventists

www.aidsinafrica.net/www.aidsinafrica.net/

Online resource for current information on HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Home of the web documentary “5 Heroes of AIDS in Africa”.

Online resource for current information on HIV/AIDS in Africa.

Home of the web documentary “5 Heroes of AIDS in Africa”.

www.aegis.org/en/www.aegis.org/en/

AIDS Education Global Information System

Large, non-profit site featuring the HIV Daily Briefing news service

Extensive archieve of HIV/AIDS-related articles from major media and wire services

Treatment and legal information from U.S. government sources

Access to community-based publications and links.

AIDS Education Global Information System

Large, non-profit site featuring the HIV Daily Briefing news service

Extensive archieve of HIV/AIDS-related articles from major media and wire services

Treatment and legal information from U.S. government sources

Access to community-based publications and links.

AIDS.govAIDS.gov

Information gateway to guide users to U.S. Federal domestic HIV/AIDS information and resources managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

Information gateway to guide users to U.S. Federal domestic HIV/AIDS information and resources managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

www.aids-india.org/www.aids-india.org/

Contains mostly reliable information and material about HIV/AIDS

Graphical images with nice explanations

Contains mostly reliable information and material about HIV/AIDS

Graphical images with nice explanations

ww.aidsinfo.nih.govww.aidsinfo.nih.gov

Official U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) site featuring:

treatment guidelines,

information on clinical trials and treatment issues,

links to U.S. government HIV/AIDS resources.

AIDSinfo is the result of a merger of two previous DHHS projects--the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) and the AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service (ACTIS).

Official U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) site featuring:

treatment guidelines,

information on clinical trials and treatment issues,

links to U.S. government HIV/AIDS resources.

AIDSinfo is the result of a merger of two previous DHHS projects--the HIV/AIDS Treatment Information Service (ATIS) and the AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service (ACTIS).

www.aidsmap.comwww.aidsmap.com

A UK site featuring a large database of HIV prevention and treatment information for a general audience

A searchable global HIV/AIDS resource directory

Produced by the National AIDS Manual (NAM Publications) in collaboration with the British HIV Association and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance

A UK site featuring a large database of HIV prevention and treatment information for a general audience

A searchable global HIV/AIDS resource directory

Produced by the National AIDS Manual (NAM Publications) in collaboration with the British HIV Association and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance

http://www.aidstar-one.comhttp://www.aidstar-one.com

USAID's global HIV/AIDS project providing support and technical assistance to teams working across the world

USAID's global HIV/AIDS project providing support and technical assistance to teams working across the world

www.amfar.org/facts-about-hiv-and-aids/www.amfar.org/facts-about-hiv-and-aids/

Basic reliable facts about HIV/AIDSBasic reliable facts about HIV/AIDS

www.thebody.comwww.thebody.com

Community-oriented commercial site with information on prevention and treatment

Coverage of major HIV/AIDS conferences

Online community discussion threads

Extensive ask-the-experts feature

Maintains a companion site, The Body Pro, with information for health care providers

Community-oriented commercial site with information on prevention and treatment

Coverage of major HIV/AIDS conferences

Online community discussion threads

Extensive ask-the-experts feature

Maintains a companion site, The Body Pro, with information for health care providers

www.avert.org/www.avert.org/

Detailed worldwide HIV/AIDS information focusing on regional and global responses to the epidemic

Also provides HIV/AIDS facts

Detailed worldwide HIV/AIDS information focusing on regional and global responses to the epidemic

Also provides HIV/AIDS facts

http://www.catie.ca/en/homehttp://www.catie.ca/en/home

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange

A national nonprofit that provides information and support to people living with HIV, caregivers, medical providers, AIDS service organizations, and the general public across Canada

Information in English and French

Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange

A national nonprofit that provides information and support to people living with HIV, caregivers, medical providers, AIDS service organizations, and the general public across Canada

Information in English and French

www.cdc.gov/hiv/www.cdc.gov/hiv/

Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention of the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention includes:

recommendations, guidelines, fact sheets, FAQs, statistics, materials for prevention and research partners

National Prevention Information Network (CDC NPIN), which features a daily Prevention News Update, reference materials, referral and distribution services for information on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosisAlso the CDC Global AIDS Program

Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention of the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD and TB Prevention includes:

recommendations, guidelines, fact sheets, FAQs, statistics, materials for prevention and research partners

National Prevention Information Network (CDC NPIN), which features a daily Prevention News Update, reference materials, referral and distribution services for information on HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases, and tuberculosisAlso the CDC Global AIDS Program

http://www.fhi360.orghttp://www.fhi360.org

Family Health International (FHI)

Nonprofit organization managing HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention and care programs in over 30 countries

Projects include Implementing AIDS Prevention and Care (IMPACT) and the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)

Web site features numerous fact sheets, program guidelines, research briefs, and other publications

Available in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Russian.

Family Health International (FHI)

Nonprofit organization managing HIV and sexually transmitted disease prevention and care programs in over 30 countries

Projects include Implementing AIDS Prevention and Care (IMPACT) and the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN)

Web site features numerous fact sheets, program guidelines, research briefs, and other publications

Available in Arabic, English, French, Spanish, and Russian.

www.fda.govwww.fda.gov

Large number of resources and information on a wide variety of HIV/AIDS topics:

medications

review of therapies

food interactions

consumer information

prevention

Areas where the FDA impacts upon prevention of the transmission of HIV

Large number of resources and information on a wide variety of HIV/AIDS topics:

medications

review of therapies

food interactions

consumer information

prevention

Areas where the FDA impacts upon prevention of the transmission of HIV

www.kff.org/hivaids/www.kff.org/hivaids/

A nonprofit organization that develops research and communications programs focusing on major health care issues, including HIV/AIDS.

Site features

federal spending data

U.S. state HIV/AIDS information

a daily news service

Partner sites include kaisernetwork.org, which features HIV/AIDS policy information, webcasts of special events, and public opinion research.

A nonprofit organization that develops research and communications programs focusing on major health care issues, including HIV/AIDS.

Site features

federal spending data

U.S. state HIV/AIDS information

a daily news service

Partner sites include kaisernetwork.org, which features HIV/AIDS policy information, webcasts of special events, and public opinion research.

http://www.unaids.org/en/http://www.unaids.org/en/

UNAIDS sponsored site

Multilingual: English, French, Russian, Spanish

Large number of resources

Data and analysis

UNAIDS sponsored site

Multilingual: English, French, Russian, Spanish

Large number of resources

Data and analysis

www.medscape.com/hivwww.medscape.com/hiv

Consumer and professional information on HIV/AIDS

Consumer and professional information on HIV/AIDS

Junk SitesJunk Sites

Deny the existence of the HIV virusAIDS was developed by scientists/government for population controlCollusion with the medical-pharmaceutical conspiracyFilled with unproven cures:

HerbsYogaAcupunctureMagical regimens Hydrogen peroxide

Harmless piece of dead tissue

Deny the existence of the HIV virusAIDS was developed by scientists/government for population controlCollusion with the medical-pharmaceutical conspiracyFilled with unproven cures:

HerbsYogaAcupunctureMagical regimens Hydrogen peroxide

Harmless piece of dead tissue

"If they see that we are intelligent with regard to health, they will be more ready to believe that we are sound in bible doctrines.” Counsels on Health p 452

"If they see that we are intelligent with regard to health, they will be more ready to believe that we are sound in bible doctrines.” Counsels on Health p 452

“The door is also closed in a great measure, so that unbelievers cannot be reached by the present truth upon the Sabbath and the soon coming of our Saviour. The most precious truths are cast aside by the people as unworthy of a hearing. These men are referred to as representatives of health reformers and Sabbathkeepers in general. A great responsibility rests upon those who have thus proved a stumbling block to unbelievers.” CD 209

“The door is also closed in a great measure, so that unbelievers cannot be reached by the present truth upon the Sabbath and the soon coming of our Saviour. The most precious truths are cast aside by the people as unworthy of a hearing. These men are referred to as representatives of health reformers and Sabbathkeepers in general. A great responsibility rests upon those who have thus proved a stumbling block to unbelievers.” CD 209

Seven Seven Warning Warning Signs of Signs of Bogus Bogus

ScienceScience

Seven Seven Warning Warning Signs of Signs of Bogus Bogus

ScienceSciencePark, R. L., The Chronicle Review,

January 31, 2003

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003

1. Discoverer Goes Directly to Media

1. Discoverer Goes Directly to Media

Integrity of science rests on the willingness of scientists to expose new ideas and findings to the scrutiny of other scientists.

Bypassing peer review suggests that the work is unlikely to stand up to close examination by other scientists.

Maker of some products go directly to paid advertisements or infomercials. (Vitamin O)

Integrity of science rests on the willingness of scientists to expose new ideas and findings to the scrutiny of other scientists.

Bypassing peer review suggests that the work is unlikely to stand up to close examination by other scientists.

Maker of some products go directly to paid advertisements or infomercials. (Vitamin O)

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003

2. Discoverer Claims Suppression by a Powerful

Establishment

2. Discoverer Claims Suppression by a Powerful

Establishment

Establishment suppresses discoveries that might shift the balance of wealth or power. (Car that runs on water!)

They accuse mainstream science of being part of a larger conspiracy that includes industry and government that doesn’t want to upset the status quo.

Establishment suppresses discoveries that might shift the balance of wealth or power. (Car that runs on water!)

They accuse mainstream science of being part of a larger conspiracy that includes industry and government that doesn’t want to upset the status quo.

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003

3. Scientific Effect Is at the Very Limits of Detection

3. Scientific Effect Is at the Very Limits of Detection

No clear photos or a flying saucer.

No clear photos of the Loch Ness monster.

All scientific measurements must contend with some level of background noise or statistical fluctuation.

If the signal-to-noise ratio can’t be improved the effect is probably not real and the work is not science. (Para-psychology).

No clear photos or a flying saucer.

No clear photos of the Loch Ness monster.

All scientific measurements must contend with some level of background noise or statistical fluctuation.

If the signal-to-noise ratio can’t be improved the effect is probably not real and the work is not science. (Para-psychology).

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003

4. Evidence is Anecdotal4. Evidence is Anecdotal

Anecdotes have a very strong emotional impact.

They keep superstitious beliefs alive in an age of science.

The most important discovery of modern medicine is not vaccines or antibiotics, but the randomized double-blind test. We know what works and what doesn’t work.

“Data” is not the plural of “anecdote”.

Anecdotes have a very strong emotional impact.

They keep superstitious beliefs alive in an age of science.

The most important discovery of modern medicine is not vaccines or antibiotics, but the randomized double-blind test. We know what works and what doesn’t work.

“Data” is not the plural of “anecdote”.

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003

5. Credible as it Enduredfor Centuries

5. Credible as it Enduredfor Centuries

There is a myth that hundreds or thousands of years ago our ancestors had miraculous remedies that modern science can’t understand.

Ancient folk wisdom, rediscovered or repackaged, is unlikely to match the output of modern scientific laboratories.

There is a myth that hundreds or thousands of years ago our ancestors had miraculous remedies that modern science can’t understand.

Ancient folk wisdom, rediscovered or repackaged, is unlikely to match the output of modern scientific laboratories.

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003

6. The Discoverer has Worked in Isolation

6. The Discoverer has Worked in Isolation

The image of a lone genius who struggles in secrecy in an attic laboratory and ends up making a revolutionary breakthrough has more to do with Hollywood's fiction films than with reality.

Scientific breakthroughs today are almost always the syntheses of the work of many scientists.

The image of a lone genius who struggles in secrecy in an attic laboratory and ends up making a revolutionary breakthrough has more to do with Hollywood's fiction films than with reality.

Scientific breakthroughs today are almost always the syntheses of the work of many scientists.

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003

7. Discoverer must Propose New Laws of Nature to Explain an

Observation

7. Discoverer must Propose New Laws of Nature to Explain an

Observation

A new law of nature, invoked to explain some extraordinary result, must not conflict with what is already known.

If we must change existing laws of nature or propose new laws to account for an observation, it is almost certainly wrong.

A new law of nature, invoked to explain some extraordinary result, must not conflict with what is already known.

If we must change existing laws of nature or propose new laws to account for an observation, it is almost certainly wrong.

Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003Park, R. L., The Chronicle Review, January 31, 2003