Dr. Mags Portman, HIV Prevention Pioneer, Dies from Mesothelioma at 44

Dr. Mags Portman, a British trailblazer in the fight to prevent and control HIV, died Wednesday after a two-year battle with mesothelioma. She was 44. Portman was lauded for triggering a significant reduction in HIV diagnoses throughout the United Kingdom by her work as a researcher, clinician and outspoken advocate. She earned international acclaim for her work as an HIV consultant at London’s Mortimer Market Centre, a progressive sexual health clinic that made pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) a reality in the U.K. Portman played a key role in the 2014 study at The Royal London Hospital that proved the efficacy of the drug Truvada, which became part of PrEP and the fight against HIV in England. She was a leader in educating activists and caregivers about the lifesaving potential of PrEP. When the National Health Service delayed its approval of Truvada, Portman worked tirelessly in connecting patients and doctors to online resources and provide access to generic and affordable forms of the medication. “We’re heartbroken at the loss of Dr. Mags Portman, who was a hero and an inspiration to the HIV/AIDS advocacy community,” wrote the Elton John AIDS Foundation on the charity’s Twitter account. “Her legacy — proving the efficacy of PrEP and making it so much more accessible internationally — continues in the lives she helped save.” Mesothelioma UK, a national charity group, shared their condolences on Twitter. Mesothelioma UK feels honoured to have met Dr Mag...
Source: Asbestos and Mesothelioma News - Category: Environmental Health Authors: Source Type: news