Stop the Spread of AIDS Every three minutes, somewhere in the world, 15 people die from AIDS. In those same three minutes, 27 people will become infected with the disease. Can you really afford to wait any longer before you get involved?
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An HIV positive muppet on Sesame Street? NOISEmaker cproioi says, "With this HIV positive muppet I think it's a very positive thing because it will teach children not to be afraid of them and also we should fight aids/HIV not people with it."  |
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PROTECT YOURSELFHey, let's be honest, this is the first step in doing your part to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS. People who work for the prevention of HIV/AIDS like to say that "AIDS thrives in secrecy." In other words, the less open you are to talking about AIDS, the more you are at risk. Here's the deal: The most common way of passing on HIV is through sex between men and women. So, protect yourself!
- We all know abstinence is the only 100 percent, foolproof way to really avoid getting HIV/AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) from sex.
- When abstinence isn't your option, using a latex condom correctly, every time you have sex, is an effective way to stop the spread of HIV. And, of course, the least amount of sexual partners you have, the better and safer you will be.
- Get tested. There are lots of places to do so anonymously, in your neighborhood. Don't believe us? Go to www.knowhivaids.com. They have a tool where you just enter your state and they give you all the places that provide STI testing.
- For more info on safer sex, go to Planned Parenthood's "Five Steps to a Healthier Sex Life."
- And if you are using drugs or know someone who is, you need to know that sharing needles is another way to contract the disease. DO NOT, under any circumstances, share a needle with anyone, whether you know them or not.
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GET INVOLVED- Help Out on World AIDS Day, December 1
Conceived in 1988, it is the only day of the year when the entire world coordinates to work together against AIDS. "Live and let live" is the slogan of the two-year World AIDS Campaign 2002-2003, which will focus on eliminating stigma and discrimination. Find out how you can help. Do you have the time? If so, then go to WorldAIDSDay.org get more facts. - Contact The Office of National AIDS Policy
The Bush Administration has been criticized for making AIDS a low priority. In May of 2003 President Bush announced the Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief to provide $15 billion over a five year period to support HIV/AIDS prevention and care programs in 14 countries in Africa and the Caribbean. Fifteen billion may sound like a lot, but is it enough? Go to the White House website to learn more and decide for yourself. Back to top - Email Your Rep
Got 2 minutes to save a life? More often, it's Congress who is taking the time to decide how much of your tax dollars will be used to help HIV/AIDS programs. Take 2 minutes to email your congressperson about supporting full funding for these programs.
STAY INFORMEDType in the acronym AIDS into any major search engine and you are liable to get anywhere from 2,000 - 300,000 matches. Dang! There is so much information out there it's impossible to wade through it all. Here are a few sites that we think will help get you started:
- Avert
Avert is "a leading UK AIDS Education and Medical Research charity." They've got tons of easy-to-understand info about AIDS and young people all over the world, plus a pretty informative section about World AIDS Day (December 1st).
Go to: www.avert.org - AIDS 101
The name says it all. This site is like the Cliff Notes of online AIDS education. It fills you in all the latest news about HIV/AIDS research in the states and abroad. It has a glossary, a timeline, tons of statistics and one of the coolest things we've seen in AIDS coverage -- an Online Memorial Quilt. Visit www.aids101.com/quilt.html, or send an email to quilt@aids101.com to add a patch to this excellent online tribute.
Go to: www.AIDS101.com - UNAIDS
If there is such a thing as an 'official information source for HIV/AIDS,' this is it. The global mission of The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS is: "to lead, strengthen and support an expanded response to the AIDS epidemic."
Go to: www.UNAIDS.org Back to top
OTHER COOL THINGS WE FOUND- The AIDS Walk Finder
Looking for the next AIDS walk in your area? Log on to this AIDS walk finder: www.aidswalk.com/finder/index.htm - Celebs and HIV/AIDS Awareness
Lots of celebrities have made AIDS their pet cause. If you want to see what they've done, go to: The Elton John AIDS Foundation. Back to top
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• Get in-the-know about AIDS. • TLC's tribute to Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes could help you fund your college education. • Top 10 Myths About AIDS • South Africa's Silent War on Girls |
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Sources:
UNAIDS, Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, Microbicide Alliance, WorldAIDSDay.org, and TheCommonwealth.org
