Private medical insurance among Philadelphia residents diagnosed with AIDS
The proportion of AIDS patients who are not covered by private health insurance is increasing. Between July 1, 1988 and December 31, 1991, 1,842 cases of AIDS were reported to the Philadelphia, PA Department of Public Health. Between Jul and Dec 1988, over half the patients had private insurance, but that figure had dropped to 29% by Jul 1991. Among most ethnic groups, those without a history of intravenous drug use and those with a history of male homosexual contact, the percentage who had private insurance decreased over time. When the data were analysed by income, those in the middle class tended to lose private insurance. It is possible that many AIDS patients exhaust their benefits or lose them completely through unemployment. Many insurance companies may also limit benefits for AIDs patients, increase their premiums or refuse to insure them altogether.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
Effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia prophylaxis on bacterial illness, Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, and death in persons with AIDS
Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) may substantially reduce the risk of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) and death in AIDS patients. Researchers evaluated the antibiotic drug in the prevention of the opportunistic lung infection by reviewing the medical records of 1,078 AIDS patients. TMP-SMX-treated patients had 23% the risk of PCP, and 59% the risk of death, as patients not taking the antibiotic. The antibiotic treatment may also reduce the risk of other infections.
Publication Name: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
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