Contrary to what many Americans may believe, AIDS is a growing public health threat not only overseas, but right here at home. Over the next two weeks, political leaders from both parties will discuss a variety of important issues facing the United States. The Minnesota AIDS Project, the leading source for HIV information and services in Minnesota, is encouraging elected officials from both sides of the aisle to speak to the recent report from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicating that annual HIV infections are significantly higher (more than 40 percent) than their previous estimates and over 1.2 million Americans are living with HIV.
To spread the message about the need for broad-based HIV education and a unified national strategy to stop HIV, the Minnesota AIDS Project will be distributing safer sex kits with important information about HIV at local bars during the upcoming Republican National Convention. The Minnesota AIDS Project has partnered with the Colorado AIDS Project who will distribute the kits at the Democratic National Convention.
"HIV should be a non-partisan issue. Prevention information is essential for everyone and, for those that are politically engaged, they should also be aware of the public health threat that HIV presents," said Lorraine Teel, executive director of the Minnesota AIDS Project. "After more than 25 years fighting HIV in this country, we have failed to establish a national plan and have failed to educate Americans on how to remain safe. Public funding for domestic HIV prevention programs has consistently been reduced during the past five years, while the rate of infections has grown."
To learn more about HIV and the need for good public policy, visit www.mnaidsproject.org or www.coloradoaidsproject.org, Minnesotans can also learn more about HIV and have any of their questions answered by contacting the AIDSLine by phone at 800-248-AIDS (statewide), via email, or hold an online chat with a health educator at www.mnaidsproject.org/prevention/aidsline.htm.
The Minnesota AIDS Project works statewide to prevent the spread of HIV in Minnesota and reduce the challenge of living with HIV through programs, partnerships, and initiatives to engage every member of our community to take responsibility and care about HIV. For more information and to find out how you can help please visit www.mnaidsproject.org.