A new project by National Public Radio, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and Harvard University’s Kennedy School examines Americans’ views on sex education in the nations public schools. The project reviews whether Americans think sex education should be taught in school, what kind of sex education should be taught, and surveys middle school and high school principals on what is actually happening in the schools.

Summary (.pdf)

This fact sheet examines federal funding for the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, with a primary emphasis on funding activities that benefit resource poor countries. United States funding for international HIV/AIDS activities in resource poor countries began in the mid-1980s; and in FY 2003, the U.S. Congress appropriated close to $1.5 billion globally.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

This chartpack (charts used at the briefing releasing this survey), from the survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates between June and September 2003, provides detailed information on retiree health programs offered by large private-sector employers. The data in this survey reflect the responses of 408 large firms (private-sector employers with 1,000 or more workers) and provides information on eligibility, benefits, premiums, and total cost in 2003, and offers insights as to what changes employers say they are likely to make in the near future.

Chart Pack (.pdf)

This fact sheet presents data on the range of resources currently directed to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in resource poor settings, including bilateral, multilateral, and private sector support, as well as domestic funding by affected country governments.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

This survey of state Medicaid pharmacy programs updates a survey conducted in 2000 and reports Medicaid prescription drug policies in effect in early 2003. It covers utilization management policies, payment and purchasing policies, utilization review policies, and policies for managed care enrollees and persons residing in institutions.

Report (.pdf)

Retiree Health Benefits Now and In the Future – Report

This survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates between June and September 2003 provides detailed information on retiree health programs offered by large private-sector employers. The data in this survey reflect the responses of 408 large firms (private-sector employers with 1,000 or more workers) and provides information on eligibility, benefits, premiums, and total cost in 2003, and offers insights as to what changes employers say they are likely to make in the near future.

Report (.pdf)

These summaries, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., provide detailed information about the prescription drug provisions of the Medicare legislation (P.L. 108-173) signed by the President on December 8, 2003.

Report (.pdf)

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Launches Global Media AIDS Initiative

As part of the ongoing mobilisation of civil society in the fight against HIV/AIDS, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan met on January 15, 2004 with leaders of some of the world’s leading media organizations to launch a Global Media AIDS Initiative. The Initiative aims to activate media organizations to reach the world’s people – especially youth – with information about how to prevent and treat HIV and to help combat AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

The launch of the Global Media AIDS Initiative drew Presidents, CEOs and senior executives of over 20 media organizations from around the world. Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Drew Altman, President and CEO of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, whose organizations developed the Initiative, led sessions on the state of the global AIDS epidemic and the role that the media can play in combating the disease. Shashi Tharoor, United Nations Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, facilitated a dialogue among participants. The meeting also received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

News Release on the Global Media AIDS InitiativeWebcast of Meeting– Photos from the meeting– Meeting Agenda (.pdf)- List of Meeting Participants (.pdf)- Participant Biographies (.pdf)- Participating Media Companies (.pdf)- Statement of Support (.pdf)- Bill Gates Keynote Address (.pdf)

What Media Can Do (.pdf): A summary of opportunities for media companies to play a role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Media and HIV/AIDS: Making a Difference (.pdf): An overview of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and the role media can play in the fight against AIDS.

“Media Giant and Foundation Team Up to Fight HIV/AIDS,” The Lancet, April 26, 2003 (.pdf)

This survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates between June and September 2003 provides detailed information on retiree health programs offered by large private-sector employers. The data in this survey reflect the responses of 408 large firms (private-sector employers with 1,000 or more workers) and provides information on eligibility, benefits, premiums, and total cost in 2003, and offers insights as to what changes employers say they are likely to make in the near future. An article based on the survey’s findings appeared in the January 14, 2004 online issue of Health Affairs (see link below).

Report

Chartpack

Press Release

Webcast of event

Health Affairs Article

See more recent retiree health benefits surveys.

This report is a case study of Oregon’s experience with its new prescription drug policy in its Medicaid fee-for-service pharmacy program. The report describes Oregon’s clinical review process, and assesses the results relative to other state preferred drug lists.

Report (.pdf)