More HIV testing encouraged on World AIDS Day

Wednesday, 30 November 2011 16:05

More HIV testing encouraged on World AIDS Day

Written by Scott LaMar, Director of Radio Smart Talk

Radio Smart Talk for Thursday, December 1:

December 1st is World AIDS Day. It is a time to raise awareness to what is described as a global epidemic, to support the millions that are living with HIV/AIDS and remember the millions more who have died.

On Thursday's Radio Smart Talk, we'll get an update on the HIV/AIDS trends in the midstate and hear about a new law that will result in more Pennsylvanians getting tested for the virus.

Since the HIV virus was first detected in June 1981, some 60 million people have contracted the HIV virus. About 33 million are still living with it and 25 million have died. In the U.S. 1.1 million are living with HIV/AIDS and 600 thousand have perished.

Most of the new cases result from men having sex with men, but heteorsexuals and intravenous drug users are still becoming at a high rate as well.

Will more testing result in less risky behaviors and then fewer HIV/AIDS cases? Find out on Thursday's program.

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# AVERT 2011-12-01 10:11

To mark World AIDS Day, international HIV and AIDS charity AVERT is asking people to take the 'AVERT AIDS Challenge', an online, interactive game found at www.avert.org/world-aids-day.htm where people compete to learn more about HIV and AIDS. It’s quick, fun and easy to play or share with family, friends and colleagues using the internet. Take the Challenge!

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# Lisa 2011-12-01 10:27

Do you feel more education is needed about the disease in light of the current lawsuit against Milton Hershey school by a boy who was rejected as a student based on his HIV status? The school's stance was that they could not have him as a student because of the safety risk he posed to other students.

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# JAMES 2011-12-01 10:29

I find Milton Hershey Schools decision regarding not admitting this child to the School appalling and would like your guests comments.Milton Hershey School sued by teen with HIV that was denied admission
Published: Thursday, December 01, 2011, 6:00 AM
By NICK MALAWSKEY, The Patriot-News
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Milton Hershey School officials denied a 13-year-old admission to the Derry Township residential school for economically disadvantaged children after finding out the boy is HIV-positive.

Dan Gleiter/The Patriot-News, file
In a statement, the school said it was a difficult decision not to admit the student, but it was made to safeguard the school's 1,850 students.

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# Robert Colgan 2011-12-01 10:42

Testing those who are most at risk of transmission ---- drug users who inject, those sexually active ----could actually be construed as a type of demographic profiling......but makes the most sense of all.

I'm not big on mandated testing-----but when there is an epidemic afoot, does it not make sense to order everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 to be tested at least once every 5 years until the epidemic is brought under control..whether they want to be tested or not?

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