Georgia State to host National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will hold an event to observe National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on March 10 at Georgia State University.

The event, sponsored by the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Region IV and GSU's Department of Student Health Promotion, will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Veterans Memorial Hall in Dahlberg Hall, 30 Courtland St.

Other co-sponsors include the Center for Black Women's Wellness, The Creative Conversations Group LLC, Girlfriends Health Guide and AID Atlanta.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five people living with HIV infection in the United States do not know they are infected. In 2007, more than a quarter of diagnoses of HIV infection in the United States were among women and girls age 13 and older. The numbers are an indicator that it is time to increase awareness and prevention efforts.

According to the Office on Women's Health, National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is a nationwide observance that encourages people to take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of its impact on women and girls. Organizations across the country come together to offer support, encourage discussion, and teach women and girls about prevention of HIV, the importance of getting tested for HIV, and how to live with and manage HIV/AIDS.

During the event, Candice Wiggins of the WNBA's Minnesota Lynx will share her personal testimony in regards to HIV/AIDS while encouraging young women and girls to take a stand and get tested. The event will highlight a thought provoking HIV/AIDS awareness performance by the group "Substance Abuse Prevention Teen Theater (SAPTT)." In addition, the event will include a self esteem building workshop to inspire women and girls facilitated by AID Atlanta.

For more information on National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, please visit http://www.womenshealth.gov/nwghaad.

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Georgia DHR observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15

The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Division of Aging Services (DAS) encourages Georgians to wear purple on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15. People worldwide will be wearing purple to show that elder abuse is a global problem. The annual observation recognizes, honors and raises awareness of disabled adults and persons 65 and older who suffer in silence because of abuse, neglect or exploitation. DHR considers elder abuse to be both a public health threat and a human rights issue, and seeks to increase awareness around the issue.

“On this day, we want to take a moment to recognize the abuse our most vulnerable and at-risk adult population sometimes experiences,” said Maria Greene, director of the Division of Aging Services (DAS). “Elder abuse is a crime in Georgia and often goes unreported. Therefore, we encourage everyone to know the signs of abuse and call Adult Protective Service if they become concerned.”

Georgia law defines elder abuse as the willful infliction of physical pain, physical injury, mental anguish, unreasonable confinement or willful deprivation of essential services. Studies have shown that for every one case of elder abuse reported, there are an estimated 14 incidences that go undetected. Abuse takes many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, financial exploitation, neglect and self-neglect. Adult children are most often the perpetrators of abuse in all its forms. Spousal abuse can start early and continue into later life. Any older person can be abused regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnicity or geographic location.

Mandated reporters of elder abuse in Georgia includes physicians, osteopaths, podiatrists, clergy (in long-term care settings), psychologists, managers, administrators, dentists, optometrists, coroners, pharmacists, orderlies, nurses, nurse’s aides, medical examiners, chiropractors, social workers, police officers and law enforcement personnel, physical therapists, employees of financial institutions, licensed professional counselors and adult day care personnel.

Make the call if you believe that an elder is being abused, neglected or exploited. If the person lives in his or her own home or with a relative, call Adult Protective Services (APS) to make a report at (404) 657-5250 (inside Metro Atlanta) or toll-free at (888) 774-0152. If the person lives in a nursing home or personal care home, contact the Office of Regulatory Services (ORS) at (404) 657-5726 (inside Metro Atlanta) or toll-free at (800) 878-6442. You may also contact the State Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, an advocate for residents’ rights, at (888) 454-LTCO (5826).

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State of Georgia and Georgia State University to Promote Problem Gambling Awareness

For most, gambling can be harmless entertainment. But for others, gambling is a problem that affects their financial well-being, their jobs, and their relationships.

Georgia State University’s Pathological Gambling Intervention Project is collaborating with the Georgia Department of Human Resources and the office of Gov. Sonny Perdue to reach out to those impacted by problem gambling during National Problem Gambling Awareness Week March 1-7.

Problem gambling occurs when someone’s gambling adversely affects a person’s well-being, including relationships, family, financial standing and career. This may lead to compulsive gambling — a psychological disorder where a gambler has become preoccupied with gambling to the point that he or she has lost control over it.

The Georgia State project is promoting awareness and outreach through a video public service announcement campaign on video monitors located on MARTA trains and buses, in addition to billboards throughout metro Atlanta targeting at-risk groups, including college students, offender populations and youth.

Youth and college students represent two of the fastest growing populations of problem gamblers, said James Emshoff, director of the Georgia State Pathological Gambling Intervention Project.

“With youth, problem gambling has increased due to the prolific nature of gambling in our society, which has not only increased in terms of tolerance and acceptance, but also glorification,” Emshoff explained, noting the popularity of televised poker tournaments and its impact on American culture. “Although illegal, on-line gambling provides access for youth who are not old enough to enter casinos.

“When you see gambling on TV, you only see winners,” he explained. “Even those who ‘lose’ in televised tournaments will win at least some money, but you don't see the people who staked a lot of money in tournaments but lost it all in the early rounds before the TV coverage picks up.”
A 2007 Georgia State study by Emshoff and his research team showed that almost 88 percent of Georgia residents have gambled at least once in their lifetime; about 4 percent of adult Georgians could be considered lifetime problem or compulsive gamblers.

Other Georgia State project activities include support of college- and faith-based counseling programs, research on the gambling behavior of offenders, and collaboration with a statewide veterans’ initiative that focuses on problem gambling.

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February 7 is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

The Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health is urging Georgia’s African-American population to get tested for HIV and know their status on February 7: National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD). While they make up only 30 percent of the state’s population, African-Americans accounted for 78 percent of the HIV cases diagnosed and 71 percent of those living with HIV/AIDS in 2007.

“While National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day is specific to the African-American community, we encourage each individual who does not know their status to go out and get tested,” said Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, acting director of the Division of Public Health (DPH). “The HIV/AIDS epidemic still remains a crisis for the African-American community, especially in Georgia. However, we can help reduce this burden by promoting the importance of early detection and ensuring that those who are infected get the necessary treatment.”

The African-American population accounts for more than 49 percent of the nation’s AIDS cases but make up only 13 percent of the U.S. population. AIDS is now the leading cause of death for African-American women aged 25 to 34, and the second leading cause of death for African-American men aged 35 to 44. Early testing and diagnosis, as well as disease management, are critical to help reduce the burden HIV/AIDS has on the African-American community.

Individuals should also take precautions to help reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS. To decrease the chances of becoming infected with the disease, the Division of Public Health recommends the following:

Abstain from sex unless in a relationship with only one person whose HIV status is known to you.
If you have, or plan to have, more than one sex partner, use a latex condom and lubricant every time you have sex.
Do not inject illicit drugs. If you do, use only clean needles and syringes and never share them or use others.
In 2007, DPH received more than $1.9 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to increase testing and early diagnosis of HIV among African-Americans. With the CDC’s awards, the agency was able to increase HIV testing and counseling primarily in clinical settings such as emergency rooms and federally qualified health centers. From 2003 to 2008, HIV counseling and testing numbers among Georgians have increased an average of 15 percent per year.

Last year, DPH launched a social marketing campaign called “HERstory” specifically targeting HIV prevention, HIV counseling and testing, and treatment services for African-American women in Georgia. In addition, DPH supports a number of evidence-based, behavioral interventions throughout the state that target other high risk populations, including African-American MSM (men who have sex with men).

For more information about the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Georgia, please call (800) 257-9769 or visit online http://health.state.ga.us/epi/hivaids.

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Emory to Host World's Largest Collegiate Display of The Aids Memorial Quilt Dec. 1

Emory University will host an 800-panel display of The AIDS Memorial Quilt on World AIDS Day, Monday, Dec. 1. Sponsored by Emory Hillel, the fourth annual "Quilt on the Quad" will take place on the Emory quadrangle from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and will be the largest collegiate display and the second largest in the world that day.

The opening ceremony at 11 a.m. will feature a keynote talk by Emory alumnus and designer Kenneth Cole, chairman of the board of Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc. and current chairman of amfAR, the world’s largest HIV/AIDS research organization. His talk will be followed by a public reading of all of the names remembered with a panel on The Quilt. In addition, two members of the Emory community will offer remarks about loved ones lost to AIDS and will announce intentions of creating new panels in their memory.

Service and Social Change Key for Cole

Cole was one of the first to use advertising campaigns to speak out about the issue of AIDS in 1985 and was one of the first board members of amfAR. He also is a founding member of Help USA, the largest provider of housing, jobs and services for the homeless in the United States.

The fall marks the 25th anniversary of Kenneth Cole Productions and the publication of "AWEARNESS: Inspiring Stories About How to Make a Difference," a collection of 86 essays and conversations by individuals who have been inspired to do their part to effect meaningful social change. Earlier this year, Cole launched the AWEARNESS fund, a nonprofit initiative that encourages, empowers and supports acts of service, volunteerism and social change.

HIV/AIDS Awareness Vital for Younger Generations

Hosting the largest display of the Quilt on a college campus is especially relevant today, says Daniel Sperling, an Emory senior and one of the lead organizers of the event.

"Having the Quilt here again really stresses the fact that there needs to be a movement to lower infection rates among the younger generations," says Sperling. "With 38 percent of new infections occurring among the 13-29 age range, our generation is seeing the largest amount of new infections every year, and unfortunately this rate is continuing to rise. Activism and awareness are necessary to stop or at least prevent this epidemic, and hopefully Emory will be able to help in this fight for years to come."

Emory scientists and physicians also are at the forefront of research efforts to develop effective drugs and vaccines against HIV and AIDS. The Emory Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) is an official National Institutes of Health CFAR site. More than 120 faculty throughout Emory are working on some aspect of HIV/AIDS prevention or treatment. Many of the scientists within the Emory Vaccine Center are focused on finding an effective vaccine against HIV, and more than 94 percent of HIV patients in the US on life saving antiviral therapy take a drug developed at Emory University. More information about Emory's programs in HIV/AIDS.

The Quilt as an 'American Treasure'

The NAMES Project Foundation, Inc. is the international curator of The AIDS Memorial Quilt, now headquartered in Atlanta. The foundation was established in 1987 as a non-governmental organization with the mission of preserving, caring for and using The AIDS Memorial Quilt to inspire action, heighten awareness and foster healing in the age of AIDS.

The entire quilt weighs 54 tons and includes more than 47,000 panels dedicated to more than 91,000 individuals. In the past 20 years, more than 18 million people have seen the quilt at displays around the world. In November 2005, the quilt was designated as one of "America's Treasures" and was awarded a "Save America's Treasures" federal grant that has established a conservation and preservation program for it.

For more information about "Quilt on the Quad," contact Michael Rabkin, director of Emory Hillel, at 404-727-2089 or michael@emoryhillel.org. In the event of rain, "Quilt on the Quad" will be held on the fourth floor of the Woodruff P.E. Center. Lead sponsors in addition to Emory Hillel include the Rosalyn & Kenneth Sperling Family Foundation, Emory's Center for AIDS Research, the Office of LGBT Life and the Office of the Dean of Emory Law School.

Emory Hillel is the center for Jewish campus life at Emory. It is a part of Hillels of Georgia, which is an affiliate agency of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life and a beneficiary of the Jewish Federation of Greater Atlanta. Emory Hillel is dedicated to engaging Jewish undergraduate and graduate students in meaningful Jewish experiences through compelling programs in the Emory University community.

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