Education Law

World AIDS Day marks 20th year

Billions of dollars have been spent over the last quarter century for research, treatment and prevention of HIV/AIDS. But the pandemic persists. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in 2007, an estimated 33.2 million people were living with HIV worldwide and there were 2.7 million people newly infected. Since 1988?20 years ago--observances of World AIDS Day on December 1 try to capture the attention of the media, policy makers, and the general public to make more of a difference in the battle.

To mark World AIDS Day 2008, HHS has built a special website that offers visitors a chance to download posters, locate local events, listen to podcasts, get the facts, and more.

Recent data indicates that 56,300 people were newly infected in the U.S. in 2006 alone and that there are disparities in the incidence of the disease. HIV/AIDS has significantly affected gay and bisexual men of all races, African Americans, and Hispanic/Latinos. And, in 2006, more new infections occurred among adolescents and young adults 13-29 years old than in any other age group ? a strong reminder that HIV prevention education must remain a high priority for schools. For school leaders, this could be a good day to resolve to provide renewed leadership for addressing AIDS/HIV in your local community. Review your school district policy, for example, to make sure it is appropriate to how AIDS and HIV infection are manifested today and that it is working effectively to support all students affected by HIV, and ensure that the best and culturally-appropriate HIV prevention education program is being implemented to help protect youth.

NSBA has addressed HIV/AIDS issues since the mid-1980s. For examples of the most current work, BoardBuzz suggests you check out the School Health Programs website to download or order the free ?HIV/AIDS Policy Development 101? packet, and to download NSBA?s 2006 publication, "Living with HIV/AIDS: Students Tell Their Stories of Stigma, Courage and Resilience."

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on December 01, 2008 (boomark / email).