AIDS Group Progress Reports

AIDS~Progress Report # 1

Action Campaign Project Topic:

·      AIDS

Team Members:

·      Brett Dworski

·      Ivan Escamilia

·      Keri Marshall

Meeting time:

·      Mondays @ 4pm @ The Wells Library

Goal:

·      To Raise awareness of Aids around the world

·      To get supporting sources/organizations

·      To gain volunteers to be involved in the fight and promote safe sex and AIDS awareness

·      To Provide information on organizations that provide aid and information on how to prevent AIDS spreading and how to live with it

Assigned tasks:

·      Brett Dworski:

  -Provides the history

  -Provide information on Greg Lougaris

·      Aldar Escamilia Mijes:

  - Provide answers from a modern viewpoint and information on the Western vs. Non-western views on AIDS

  - Provide information on Ryan White

·      Keri Marshall:

  -Provide information on organizations for treatment

           ~  Cost?

           ~  Where?

           ~How many?

           ~Goals?

  - Provide another case victim dealing with aids (possibly a guest?)

·      Group:

  -Find resources

  -Organizing the information

  -Updating our Progress Reports

  -Set/ build up our campaign

  -Present

Developing Plans:

·      Provide History on AIDS

  -Such as:

         ~  What is it?

         ~ Where did it come from?

         ~How did people first react to it?

         ~Were people discriminated for it?

·      Find resources

  -Such as

        ~Use media resources

            -Films/documentaries on AIDS victims (Lougaris and White)

            -Web bases

        ~Use Newspaper articles (National and International)

        ~Use Novels or Academic Articles (Mountains Beyond Mountains)

·      How do Western and Non-western countries differ on their views of AIDS and its effects?

  -   Do countries blame the West for “creating” AIDS as a power holder?

  -  How far does discrimination go beyond the States?

  -Varying modern viewpoints on the social norm towards AIDS

·      Questions:

  -  How to treat it?

  -  How to provide more opportunities to inform the public about Aids/ How to raise more awareness?

  -How to prevent spreading?

·      Campaign Presentation Ideas:

  - Provide visuals

       ~ Such as:

           -Posters

           -Powerpoints

           -Clips from documentaries/films

  -Provide factual evidence

        ~ Such as:

           -Cases with AIDS

           -quotes/experiences from victims

  -Pass out condoms as part of promoting safe sex

AIDS-Progress Report #2

Brett Dworski

Louganis, Greg, and Eric Marcus. Breaking the Surface. New York: Random House, 1995. Print.

·         This novel chronicles the success and struggles of Olympic Gold-Medalist diver, Greg Louganis. Putting his Olympic success aside, Louganis uses this novel to reveal his life; that he is a homosexual who suffers from AIDS. This novel has and will be helpful within our research and campaign, because it is a life story. Louganis’s words reveal a true sense of not only what AIDS and HIV are, but how to live with them. He is an avid speaker and activist, and in his words, “Education and prevention are the keys.”

Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. "AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome." AIDS. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Nov. 0000. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001620/>

·         This web page off of PubMed Health is an excellent source of information for AIDS and HIV. Through this source, the history of the virus is gained. Treatment, causes, symptoms, how to get tested, and of course, how to prevent contracting it are all pieces of information that are useful for the campaign that this web page contains.

Ivan Escamilla

My search in regards to Ryan White and non-Western concepts of AIDS has brought me four sources so far. I will incorporate President Obama’s signing of Ryan White’s legislation which extends the period of benefits that the government will give to health programs and institutions, which includes HIV testing and preventative care services, deriving from “Remarks by the President at Signing of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 | The White House." Phillyvideofan’s YouTube video will also emphasize the point of discrimination that White had to endure during his life with AIDS, as well as support he obtained and the influence he managed to achieve nationally. In regards to non-Western concepts of AIDS, Tobias’ printed journal depicts cultural barriers and exceptions that either prevent or support the view of AIDS, both of which change the ways a certain culture approaches it and treats it. This proves that there is in fact an inevitable correlation between AIDS and culture. Timburg’s book goes further with data and describes the use of condoms and effects of circumcision in African and Asian countries. Oddly enough there is much controversy between the performances of surgical circumcision; it is proven to reduce the chances of acquiring HIV, but there is much dispute on the “mutilation of the body” aspect of it. Many men in Kenya have already gone under the surgery to preserve the health of their families, but many opponents stand firm in saying it is a forceful disgrace of the body pushed by Western influence.

Keri Marshall

         I am currently searching up for a guest speaker to present at our campaign presentation. I am also laying out and writing down ideas for the presentation. These sources will be helpful for statistics, vital information, providing opportunities for people to volunteer, and to create a gateway for people to connect and gain useful information and support.

1.) "About AIDSTruth.org." AIDSTruth.org. N.p., 2006. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.aidstruth.org/about>.

Goals:

·                     “The purpose of this website is to debunk AIDS denialist arguments and prevent further harm being done by AIDS denialists to public health”

·                     to “engaged in the worldwide struggle against HIV/AIDS”

Provides (use for the campaign):

·                     Detailed Facts including:

o                  -Scientific studies

o                  -Treatments

o                  -Myths

o                  Latest news on HIV/AIDS

2.) "AIDS Information, Education, Action, Awareness." AIDS Information, Education, Action, Awareness. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012 <http://www.aids.org/>.

Goals:

·                     “to help prevent HIV infections and to improve the lives of those affected by HIV and AIDS by providing education and facilitating the free and open exchange of knowledge at an easy-to-find centralized website” 

Provides (use for the campaign):

·                     Latest news on HIV/AIDS and anything relating

·                     An Organization use for our campaign

·                     Informational facts

3.) "Global HIV/AIDS Organizations." Global HIV/AIDS Organizations. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://aids.gov/federal-resources/around-the-world/global-hiv-aids-organizations/>.

Goals:

·                     “Expand visibility of timely and relevant Federal HIV policies, programs, and resources to the American public.”

·                     “Increase use of new media tools by government, minority, and other community partners to extend the reach of HIV programs to communities at greatest risk.”

·                     “Increase knowledge about HIV and access to HIV services for people most at-risk for, or living with, HIV.”

Provides (use for the campaign):

·                     An organization that provides:

o                  -Information on AIDS/HIV

o                  -Treatment

o                  -Support groups

o                  -A blog/forum for people to connect

o                  -Campaigning

·                     Provide news and events

·                     Info. on federal programs, financial support, etc.

4.) Grant, Alison D., and Kevin M De Cock. "HIV Infection and AIDS in the Developing World." Clinical Review BMJ 2001 322.1475-8 (2001): 1475-478. BMJ Group. BMJ Publishing Group, 16 June 2001. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/322/7300/1475>.

Abstract:

·                     “HIV infection and AIDS in the developing world”

Provides (use for the campaign):

·                     A Clinical Review

·                     Details on the effects of the disease in developing countries

5.) "Inspiring Stories of People Affected by HIV/AIDS." TheBody.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.thebody.com/index/inspire.html>.

Goals:

·                     Provides an online ‘complete resource’ for the HIV/AIDS community

Provides (use for the campaign):

·                     Info. on AIDS

·                     Support groups

·                     Blogs

·                     Forums

·                     Videos/ Podcasts of people’s life stories

·                     Provide personal stories from the people with the disease

6.) "UNAIDS." UNAIDS. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.unaids.org/en/>.

Goals:

·                     “UNAIDS works to build political action and to promote the rights of all  people for better results for global health and development.”

·                     “ Globally, it sets policy and is the source of HIV-related data.”

·                     “In countries, UNAIDS brings together the resources of the UNAIDS Secretariat and 10 UN system organizations for coordinated and accountable efforts to unite the world against AIDS.”

Provides (use for the campaign):

·                     A Organization

·                     Reaches out globally

·                     Provides data and analysis

·                     Provides resources

·                     High number of volunteers, organizations, political organizations and leaders involved 

Works Cited

"About AIDSTruth.org." AIDSTruth.org. N.p., 2006. Web. 01 Oct. 2012 <http://www.aidstruth.org/about>.

"AIDS Information, Education, Action, Awareness." AIDS Information, Education, Action, Awareness. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012 <http://www.aids.org/>.

Board, A.D.A.M. Editorial. "AIDS: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome." AIDS. U.S. National Library of Medicine, 18 Nov. 0000. Web. 17 Sept. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001620/>

"Global HIV/AIDS Organizations." Global HIV/AIDS Organizations. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://aids.gov/federal-resources/around-the-world/global-hiv-aids-organizations/>.

Grant, Alison D., and Kevin M De Cock. "HIV Infection and AIDS in the Developing World." Clinical Review BMJ 2001 322.1475-8 (2001): 1475-478. BMJ Group. BMJ Publishing Group, 16 June 2001. Web. 1 Oct. 2012. <http://www.bmj.com/content/322/7300/1475>.

"Inspiring Stories of People Affected by HIV/AIDS." TheBody.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.thebody.com/index/inspire.html>.

Louganis, Greg, and Eric Marcus. Breaking the Surface. New York: Random House,          1995. Print.

Phillyvideofan. “90 – Ryan White Dies 1of2” YouTube. Web. 26 Sept. 2012
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Skn7OmAGtjQ&feature=related

"Remarks by the President at Signing of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 | The White House." The White House. N.p., 30 Oct. 2009. Web. 24 Sept. 2012. <http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-signing-ryan-white-hivaids-treatment-extension-act-2009>.

Timberg, Craig, and Daniel Halperin. Tinderbox: how the West sparked the AIDS epidemic and how the world can finally overcome it. New York: Penguin Press, 2012. Print.

Tobias, Barbara. "A descriptive study of the cultural mores and beliefs toward HIV/AIDS in Swaziland, Southern Africa." International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling 23.2 (2001): 99-113. Print.

"UNAIDS." UNAIDS. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Oct. 2012. <http://www.unaids.org/en/>.

AIDS Progress Report 3

Keri Marshall’s AIDS Campaign Summary

I am currently working with Brett and Ivan on organizing the whole campaign. We are making sure we got everything we need and things ready for presentation. I have provided six resources with vital information, personal stories, etc. I have contributed with the brainstorming in this campaign process and participate in the group meetings. I have been coming up with ideas for presentation and have made a layout of an ideal on how and what to present. I hope to bring not only information about AIDS to the class with my group’s campaign but also more of a visual and personal affect. I will be meeting with my group to work on this campaign’s progress more.

Ivan Escamilla Findings Summary

            Ryan White was a thirteen year old child when came into contact with an infected needle used to treat his Hemophilia. A resident of Kokomo, Indiana, he was bullied and discriminated among peers and teachers. He was forced to take school at his home through a computer, but it came out fuzzy and hard to hear. Rumors were started about him in his town of Kokomo, and a mother was so bent on getting him expelled that he and his family decided to change towns. Ironically, after already having received nationwide attention, he was received with open arms in his new town. He met many celebrities and received a vast amount of support nationwide. Unfortunately, his battle against AIDS ended abruptly at the age of 18. His activism against unjust and misinformed discrimination paved the way for new policy, the Ryan White Act, which is currently the largest federally funded program that contributes to people living with AIDS/HIV. This fund is given to special treatment institutes where AIDS and HIV are treated. This program, unlike Medicare and Medicaid, is a “last resort” program, where those uninsured or under-insured victims of AIDS with low incomes may derive benefit from. It provides care to at least 500,000 people, and provided funds to 2,567 organizations back in 2004, where it has only increased until present. President Obama upheld the bill, hoping to give aid and relief to the now 1.1 million people in the U.S. living with AIDS, with 56,000 new infections occurring every year.

            International acclaim towards AIDS is highly subjective to culture. Different cultures give way to different approaches to sexual behavior, and thus AIDS, as exemplified through the people of Swaziland, which 25% of its population is infected. Condom use is also affected by culture, and also has resource restraints; condom availability is limited in an environment where traditional and political health leaders clash. Unfortunately, women consent, or their inability to say no to unprotected sex, is also founded in a culture where male dominance is deemed the norm. However, this does not mean males are unwilling to strive for better health for their families, as exemplified by Kenyans, who embrace the highly controversial act of circumcision. Circumcision has proven effects that reduce the contractibility of AIDS, but are seen by human rights groups as a mutilation of the body that is imposed on powerless ethnic groups. This is not entirely the case as Kenyan males subjected themselves with complete consent. Through small encouragement, a society can be saved from an alarming AIDS epidemic. Ugandans’ transmission of HIV changed drastically after only they were merely asked to change their sexual behavior. Though culture affects AIDS and HIV viewpoints, small changes can have an everlasting difference.

Brett Dworski’s Summary

In 1981, the virus known as AIDS (Autoimmune Deficiency Syndrome) was discovered in the United States. People did not know what it was or how to contract it, but they knew right off the bat that it was deadly. It had been around the world for quite a while by this time, beginning in what most people believe to be non – human primates in countries of West – Central Africa. In the U.S., initial cases were found in drug users (sharing needles) and homosexual men. The first sign of the virus in these people was a skin disease called Kaposi’s sarcoma. After research by scientists all over the country, they discovered that it was a virus that is an exchange of bodily fluids that causes the Helper T Cells in the immune system to die. Thus, in July of 1982, the name AIDS was given.

            When people think of the Olympic sport of diving, it’s very likely that the first person they think of is Greg Louganis. Back in 1984 and 1988, Louganis won five gold medals for the United States in diving. Nowadays, he is also known for something else; he is a homosexual with AIDS. Louganis came out to the world sharing his virus in 1995, when he wrote his best – selling novel, ‘Breaking the Surface’. He revealed within his novel that he had contracted AIDS from unprotected sexual activity with an abusive partner. A large controversy at the time was of the ’88 Olympics, when Louganis hit his head on the diving board. At this time, he knew he had AIDS, but he had not shared it with the world. After he shared his virus with society, there was huge talk all over the country, and even the world, of what “could” have happened (even though AIDS cannot be transferred through a swimming pool…). As of today, Greg Louganis is an avid speaker and activist for HIV and AIDS. According to him, “Education and prevention are the keys”

Progress Report 4

Presentation Outline –PowerPoint Presentation/ Poster Board Display/ Handouts

·         Poster shown publicly before the start of class; people are free to walk up to it

·         Title Slide

·         General Question to the audience- “What do you know about AIDS?”

·         Passing out handouts containing 10 general facts about AIDS

·         Brett starts off by asking the first of three trivia questions- “Which gender has a higher percentage of HIV/AIDS infected adults? 50/50”

·         Brett defines AIDS and states its origin (2 slides)

o   General definitions

o   Derived from primates

·         Graph shown representing the correlation between AIDS, HIV, and deaths is presented by Keri and Ivan

·         Slide with a quick list of people who have/had AIDS presented by Ivan and Brett

·         Personal story of Ryan White presented by Ivan

o   Conflicts against society

o   Video

·         Personal story of Greg Louganis by Brett

o   Pool incident

o   Video

·         Trivia Question 2 asked by Ivan to the Audience- “Currently there are 1.3 million people infected with AIDS in the U.S. alone. What fraction of these people is unaware that they are infected?” With the answer of 1/5, or 250,000 people

·         Regional approaches to AIDS based on cultures by Ivan

o   Africa

o   Asia

o   Europe

o   South America

·         Video depicting individual activists around the world

·         Trivia Question 3 asked by Keri- “With 1.8 million deaths per year, how many children are orphaned because of AIDS?” 16.6 Million children, half of the total orphaned population

·         Keri will present current treatments towards HIV/AIDS,

o   No cure

o   HAART

o   Patent Pool Video

·         Additional resources for more information presented by Keri

o   International AIDS Society

o   UNAIDS

o   World Health Organization

o   Positive Link

·         Closing statements

·         Questions