AIDS/PPSA/ATL Needs your help!

Would you do something that could add up to 24 years to your life? It will only take 20 minutes. It won’t cost you anything. But you might learn something you wish wasn’t true. Would you do it?
In the US, over a quarter of a million people are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and don’t know it. We have known for decades the causes of HIV transmission (unprotected sex and intravenous drug use). But since 2003 the number of new infections each year has remained steady at 40,000. The primary reason HIV infection hasn’t dropped is that so many people don’t know they are infected. The unknowing infected are less likely to take precautions to prevent infecting others.
New treatments and improved care have increased the average life span after an HIV diagnosis from 7 years in 1993 to 24 years today.
So with obvious reasons to get tested, why is it that less than half of us do? You tell me.
On 4/22 & 4/23, over 50 people from 10 universities and over 5 AIDS organizations are coming to Atlanta to explore ways to use mobile media to battle AIDS. On Tuesday, they will learn all about HIV and mobile media. Then on Wednesday they will use video cell phones and wireless technology to produce video messages encouraging young people to be tested for HIV. You can read all about the AIDS Personal Public Service Announcement Project (AIDS/PPSA/ATL) at http://www.nmi.uga.edu/aids_ppsa/.
This is the first time that anyone has tried something like this. The CDC and Verizon Wireless are teaming up with the NMI to make it happen. And many creative people are contributing their time and energy to develop new ways to keep people healthy.
You can help them. We need your ideas. If you haven’t been tested, why haven’t you? If you have been tested, what issues did you struggle with as you made that important decision? Your ideas, experiences, and fears could help our teams as they develop the best strategies for their video messages. So send me your ideas – sshamp@uga.edu. And I promise to keep them confidential.

Uncork A Cure 4/24 – 6P – 9P – Puritan Mills

You can also help in the battle against HIV/AIDS is by supporting organizations engaged in the fight. The AIDS Research Consortium of Atlanta (ARCA = http://www.aidsresearchatlanta.org/) is celebrating 20 years of working to improve the lives of those living with AIDS and prevent new infection. Uncork a Cure (http://www.uncorkacure.org/) is an annual benefit for ARCA. Great wine,
great food. And at this year’s event, we will be unveiling the videos
resulting from the AIDS Personal Public Service Announcement Project
(http://www.nmi.uga.edu/aids_ppsa/) – cool videos shot on cell phones to
be distributed to cell phones encouraging HIV testing. Come eat, drink,
and view for a good cause. More info at http://www.uncorkacure.org/. I
will see you there.