Taking the Pulse of Public Opinion About Health Problems (2/2)

In some countries, large majorities said AIDS is a bigger problem now than it was five years ago. But in most countries, the survey found a strong sense of progress in treating and preventing H.I.V.Yet finding new drugs and other treatments for public health problems is one thing. Putting them to use in developing countries where they could save thousands of lives each day is another.

Scientists at the Fogarty International Center in Maryland say more work in the area of implementation science could bridge the problem. Karen Hofman is head of international science policy at the center, part of the National Institutes of Health. She describes implementation science as the next level for health research.

One example she notes is male circumcision. Studies have found that it may help prevent the spread of H.I.V. But different cultures react differently to the idea of circumcision. Doctor Hofman says researchers must now study how best to employ this medical intervention in culturally sensitive ways.

Another example is drugs that are normally effective in suppressing H.I.V. In poor countries, these might not work in patients who also suffer from malaria, tuberculosis" class="hjdict" word="tuberculosis" target=_blank>tuberculosis or bad nutrition. In other words, Doctor Hofman says, when it comes to treatments, one size does not fit all.

参考译文：

在一些国家，绝大多数人认为与五年前相比，艾滋病是一个更严重的问题。但在多数国家，调查发现在治疗和预防HIV方面都有所进展。然而，发现新药以及针对公众卫生健康问题的其他治疗方法是一件事。把它们用于发展中国家，从而每日挽救那里数以千计的生命又是另一回事。

在马里兰州佛格地国际中心的科学家说需要在实践科学（implementation science）领域做更多的工作以弥补问题。 Karen Hofman是该中心国际科学政策的主管，该机构属于（美国）国家卫生研究所（NIH）。她将实践科学描述为健康研究中的下一个层次。

她举的一个例子就是男性包皮切除术。研究发现，这可能有助于阻止HIV的传播。但是，不同的文化对于包皮切除的看法是不同的。Hofman医生说研究者现在必须以触及文化敏感的方式，研究怎样更好的利用这种医学干预措施。

另一个例子就是那些正常情况下可以抑制HIV的药物。在贫穷的国家，这些药物可能对那些同时患有疟疾、结核或营养不良的患者无效。总之，Hofman医生说，对于治疗而言，无治百病的良方。