Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
San Francisco Chronicle (SF); Wednesday, October 23, 1991
Ron Sonenshine, Chronicle Correspondent
Marian Heath-Benner presented her final report yesterday to supervisors on AIDS education policies for the 41 school districts in Sonoma County, which has one of the highest per capita rates of AIDS in the state.
"I guess because teens are not dropping dead on the school steps, it has not hit home yet," Heath- Benner said.
Supervisors paid Heath-Benner's $35,000 annual salary last year out of general funds to accelerate AIDS/HIV education programs in schools.
County education spokesman Wayne Gibb said his department lacks the money to continue the position, although most Bay Area counties have AIDS education coordinators.
Sonoma County schools this year will use the services of Healthy Kids, a state-financed agency based in Sacramento that trains teachers to instruct students about AIDS.
Last spring, Heath-Benner authored a stinging report that stated that although Sonoma County ranked in the top five in the state with per capita rates of AIDS, only a quarter of the school districts were teaching students about how the AIDS virus is transmitted.
Pat Kuta, the AIDS program coordinator for the county public health department, said she hopes that school districts will continue the programs Heath-Benner inaugurated.
During her year with Sonoma schools, Heath-Benner helped school districts develop curricula on AIDS and HIV.
In her remarks yesterday to the Board of Supervisors in Santa Rosa, Heath-Benner said most of the county school districts have adopted HIV instruction and personnel policies, but "there is still much resistance" among educators to teaching students about AIDS. Her last day with the schools is tomorrow.
"There is still much confusion out there among teachers, administrators and students as to how the disease is transmitted," she said.
Copyright © 1991 - San Francisco Chronicle Press. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Chronicle, Permissions Desk, 901 Mission Street, San Franciso, CA 94103. You may also send a fax to (415) 495-3843, or an email message to chronperm@sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 1991. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 1991. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .