Written by School Health Professional Editor, Susan M. Spangler, PhD ABD and published in the November 14, 2008 issue.
Commemorating World AIDS Day
December 1, 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. And while you and your colleagues may remember a time when AIDS and HIV were not even part of the American or global vocabulary, today’s students have never known a world without HIV.
Keep the Promise
According to the World AIDS Campaign (WAC), the theme for this year’s World AIDS Day is “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise.” The WAC suggests that leadership encourages administrators at all levels and in all arenas to stop AIDS. And, in many cases, leadership starts in school—not just with teachers, staff and administrators but also with students.
Increasing Awareness
Increasing awareness of the disease is even more important because, while treatment for HIV and AIDS has improved and become more widespread since 1988, many people still do not have access to it. In fact, WAC reports that in 2007 only 31% of those in low- to middle-income countries who needed treatment received it. In addition, HIV infection rates are still happening 2.7 times faster than the increase in number of people receiving treatment, according to WAC statistics.
Youth and Schools
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that transmission of HIV among U.S. children is actually declining. However, the need to educate young people is important as they grow, mature and begin to make choices regarding sexual partners and preferences.
According to Avert (Averting HIV and AIDS), an organization dedicated to HIV and AIDS awareness and prevention, "AIDS education is also vitally important for young people. Schools offer a crucial point-of-contact for youth receiving this education. Providing AIDS education in schools, however, is sometimes a contentious issue." Therefore, the organization provides a number of facts, figures and resources to help teachers and school health professionals “make the case” for AIDS education. This information is available at: www.avert.org/school.htm.
