PRNewswire - October 28, 2002

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Although the growth of the ongoing AIDS epidemic has wrought a terrible physical and emotional toll, many people erroneously believe that AIDS has somehow been conquered, contained, or even cured. The truth is that it continues to thrive and spread at an alarming rate. Today, an estimated one million people in North American and 40 million people around the globe are living with HIV/AIDS. In conjunction with World AIDS Day on Sunday, December 1, Discovery Health Channel will present two special programs devoted to exploring the changing demographics of those impacted by this devastating illness -- particularly children and minority populations.

The large number of children living with the secrecy and consequences of AIDS is just one of the tragic results of the disease. In the U.S., someone under the age of 25 becomes infected with AIDS every thirty minutes. BORN WITH HIV: LITTLE WARRIORS is premiering December 1 at 8:00 PM (ET/PT) and is hosted by James Woods, one of Hollywood's leading actors.

Acclaimed for his dramatic and intense character portrayals on film and television, Woods says his participation is "a way of showing my love and gratitude for what I learned working with several HIV-infected children on 'This Girl's Life,' I was inspired by how remarkably full of life they are when life has challenged them with adversity from the very start. The children meet it with such character and strength and courageous determination to celebrate life, they became my teachers."

In BORN WITH HIV we meet some courageous kids who are coping in various ways with their HIV/AIDS. They are among the 10,000 children in the U.S. infected at birth with the AIDS virus, many of whom have lost one or both of their parents to the disease. At one time, HIV babies weren't given much hope of survival. But thanks to medical advances over the years, they are living longer with a real chance at life.

The children who share their personal stories in BORN WITH HIV -- stories that are sometimes hopeful, sometimes heartbreaking -- were interviewed at Camp Heartland, a summer camp for children and teens with HIV/AIDS. They say one of the hardest parts of living with AIDS is the fear and misunderstanding in their communities. At camp, they momentarily escape the isolation and tragedy of their illness to experience the pure joy of being a kid.

AIDS AT 21, a documentary premiering at 9:00 PM (ET/PT) also on December 1, examines a number of dimensions of the AIDS epidemic -- including the disturbing problem of its fast growth and the often under reported issue of AIDS' devastating impact upon minorities, women and the most innocent among us, newborns. Among the more troubling developments includes concern about the current generation of young Black men, who are being tested HIV positive and dying at greater rates than ever before.

Through first person interviews with men and women, medical experts and clinical researchers, AIDS AT 21, seeks to find answers to the troubling question of why, after twenty-one years since the first case of AIDS was discovered and with hundreds of millions of dollars spent on public education, has AIDS reached such epidemic proportions?

"As part of our ongoing efforts to present vital information on important health issues, we are pleased to join the commemoration of World AIDS Day with these special programs," says Bob Reid, Senior Vice President and General Manager for Discovery Health Channel. "Not only do they take a comprehensive look at the current state of the epidemic as it effects all elements of our society, but they also bring the message that although the struggle against AIDS is far from over, it is far from being hopeless."

The Discovery Health Channel is a 24-hour health channel from the people who also bring you the Discovery Channel. Discovery Health is a source of trustworthy information about health, medicine, nutrition and fitness, both on television and online at http://www.discoveryhealth.com . Together, they reveal the remarkable science behind everyday human experiences, allowing viewers to walk away with a stronger knowledge and a deeper understanding of the ever-changing health and medical environment.

SOURCE Discovery Health Channel

Web Site: http://www.discoveryhealth.com

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