40 million people worldwide live with HIV infection. Half of all people living with HIV are women, but there are no prevention methods available which put women in control of their own health.

In North America there were 34,000 new HIV infections in 2005.

Microbicides are inexpensive, can be sold over-the-counter, do not necessarily prevent pregnancy (but could be formulated to do so) and are easily made.

Microbicides can be formulated as a gel, cream, suppository, or lubricant (among other ways). The can protect against HIV as well as other STDs.

Many women can not negotiate condom use with their partners because of social mores, domestic violence or sexual violence, or becuase they don't know how. For women whose partners won't willingly use a condom, microbicides are a stealth method of protection.

For details on microbicides: Global Campaign Why are no microbices available? Ask Big Pharma.

We are not much closer to a microbicide being released than we were in 2001 when I wrote this article: Why Microbicide Development Must Progress Quickly.

AIDS Research Alliance's mission is to develop a cure for HIV and to develop modalities to prevent new infections. Please go to their website for details about their research.

a newspaper with obits from Africa. Part of a traveling exhibit "Giving Women Power over AIDS: A Traveling Exhibit". Info from the exhibit can be seen at www.global-campaign.org

with sufficient will and resources a microbicide could be available by the end of the decade.

sex within committed relationships is the "achilles heel" of the pandemic and the point of greatest vulnerability for women globally

women use various sprays and potions vaginally to please their partners, many of which facilitate HIV transmission.

the main lobby of LA City hall

a model sample