Media Contact: Laurie Mellas Ramirez or Carolyn Gonzales, 277-5813

Nov. 24, 2003 'WORLD AIDS DAY' EVENT SCHEDULED ON UNM CAMPUS DEC. 1 An event in conjunction with 2003 World AIDS Day is set for Monday, Dec. 1, at the University of New Mexico. More than a dozen local organizations will have displays in front of Zimmerman Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. providing information on the disease. Groups such as the First Nations Community Health Source will offer free HIV testing, condoms and safe sex kits to students. The annual event is sponsored by the Peer Educators' Program, a division of the UNM Student Health Center (SHC) Health Education and Prevention Department. Students, serving as peer health educators, are trained by SHC practitioners to give presentations on health-related topics and organize health events. "We recognize the need to educate the community that the danger of AIDS is still very real. We as individuals do have the power to curb and one day eliminate this disease through educating ourselves," said Karl Turba, event coordinator and peer health educator. Visual aides will include a video created for the event, "HIV/AIDS: Beyond 2000." Directed by Shirlee James-Johnson, SHC health education manager, in collaboration with the UNM student organization A.F.R.I.C.A, the 25-minute video presentation will address HIV/AIDS myths/facts, prevention tips, and includes an interview with an HIV-positive UNM student. "UNM students such as peer health educators are excited about learning, working with the community and making a difference. We should give them that opportunity. That's what the Peer Educators' Program is about," James-Johnson said. New Mexico AIDS Services, M Power, NM Planned Parenthood, American Red Cross, and A.F.R.I.C.A. and other organizations will participate in the event. UNM students interested in becoming a peer health educator for Spring 2004 should call 277-8563. ###

Please let us know what you thought of this article. Comments to: paaffair@unm.edu

The University of New Mexico
Public Affairs Department
MSC01 1170
Hodgin Hall, 2nd floor
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0011
Telephone: (505) 277-5813
Fax: (505) 277-1981