Education Law

World AIDS Day: not a time to be complacent

Today, December 1, 2010 is World AIDS Day.  In observing this day, BoardBuzz wants to remind its readers that, although there have been great strides in the prevention of HIV/AIDS (just last week there was an announcement on a breakthrough prevention measure), the world is still experiencing an epidemic of the disease.  And, despite strong advances also with HIV/AIDS treatment, 25 million people have died due to the disease since the first cases started being reported in 1981.

This disease has had much impact among youth in the U.S. in the past few years, especially those of minority races and ethnicities.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2004 alone, an estimated 4,883 young people received a diagnosis of HIV infection or AIDS, representing about 13% of the persons given a diagnosis during that year. 

What makes young people vulnerable to HIV infection?  Well, several factors such as early age at sexual initiation, substance abuse, and lack of awareness.  In addition, poverty and dropping out of school.  Such data speak of the importance of coordinated school health approaches within schools, where kids can have access to valuable health information as well as services.  And also of policies and practices that help kids stay in school, which help equip students with skills to enter the workforce successfully and promote their learning of lifelong healthy behaviors. 

BoardBuzz believes that World AIDS Day marks a time to not be complacent, but rather proactive.  It?s a moment to celebrate progress, but ponder what still needs to be accomplished.  NSBA is here to help school leaders navigate such issues.  A few years ago, NSBA published a book “Living with HIV/AIDS: Students Tell Their Stories of Stigma, Courage, and Resilience” that focuses on the challenges students affected by HIV/AIDS have dealt with in growing up and at school, and the opportunities school leaders have to contribute to their well-being and to HIV awareness and prevention.  NSBA also has an ?HIV/AIDS Policy Development 101? Packet.  In addition, NSBA recently published a resource that can help school boards establish a coordinated approach to health within schools.  So check these out!  And for recent domestic and global HIV/AIDS statistics, visit the Kaiser Family Foundation?s HIV/AIDS webpage.

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on December 01, 2010 (boomark / email).