Business Wire - Monday, November 30, 1998
Los Angeles is home to people from all over the world, and everyone is impacted by this world epidemic. This year's theme, "Be a Force for Change," stresses the importance of focusing on youth between the ages of 12 and 24 to help them understand that risky behavior may lead to HIV infection.
"Being a force for change means helping our young people, our children, learn about the serious and life-changing consequences of contracting HIV, the virus that leads to AIDS," said Mark Finucane, director of the County's Department of Health Services.
"All communities -- regardless of age, income, gender, ethnicity, marital status or sexual orientation -- are affected by the continuing spread of HIV," said Chuck Henry, director of the Office of AIDS Programs and Policy for the County of Los Angeles Department of Health Services.
"In Los Angeles County, reports to date show the leading cause of death among persons 25 to 45 years old was AIDS, which means they may have been infected with HIV as early as age 12."
Worldwide, there are more than 6 million new HIV infections every year, and more than 50 percent are among young people under 25 years of age. More than 190 countries around the world will observe World AIDS Day to draw attention to the AIDS epidemic, which continues in spite of promising new "drug cocktails" used to treat AIDS, and to draw attention to the alarming rate of infection among young people.
In the United States, activities for World AIDS Day are coordinated by the American Association of World Health, in conjunction with Joint United Nations Program on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS), the Pan American Organization and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
UNAIDS estimates that as of June 1998, 30.6 million men, women and children worldwide are living with HIV. This means that one out of every 100 adults is already living with HIV, and if current trends continue, between 60 million and 70 million adults will have been infected by the year 2000. In L.A. County, estimates of HIV infection among youth continue upward, particularly among young men of color.
"As the rate of HIV infection continues to rise among young people, it is vital that we educate them about HIV prevention and assist them in avoiding HIV infection. And if they are already infected, we must help them understand that the earlier the virus is detected, the better the chance of prolonging and maybe even preventing the onset of AIDS," said Henry.
The key objective in observing this year's World AIDS Day is to encourage young people to get tested for HIV and return for their results. Anyone may call 800/367-AIDS, a toll-free, trilingual (English, Spanish and Filipino) referral and information line that provides callers with confidential information on HIV/AIDS transmission and prevention, a list of free testing locations and information about Los Angeles AIDS organizations that have programs to teach young people how to avoid risky behavior and prevent HIV infection.
Counselors on this line are available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Asian language counseling is available at 213/644-3888. Youth in crisis situations may call 800/843-5200 for help getting shelter and other services.
Note to Editors: A media conference will be held Monday, Nov. 30, at the Hall of Administration, Board Hearing Room, at 11 a.m. at 500 W. Temple.
CONTACT: BBPR Inc. Barbara Bishop, 310/229-5955 310/229-5975 (fax)
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