At the end of 2004, 4,550 persons had been reported with HIV or AIDS in New Mexico. While this figure places New Mexico among the low incidence states, there is still an alarmingly high prevalence of related high-risk behavior, particularly the sharing of syringe needles for intravenous drug use.
This is reflected in New Mexico’s 32,000+ cases of Hepatitis C. The intravenous drug users who contribute to our state’s raging Hepatitis C epidemic are an ongoing concern for New Mexico’s HIV/AIDS prevention workers, for where one goes, the other often follows.
Hepatitis C and HIV individually are largely treatable with modern medications, but together they are lethal. Nationally, and in New Mexico, the number one cause of death of HIV+ patients is no longer the virus itself, but Hepatitis C- related complications.
In anticipation of the two-part “Frontline” special, “The Age of AIDS,” KNME will broadcast an “In Focus” special “The Risk Remains: HIV in New Mexico,” a
30-minute, live program on Friday May 26, at 7:30 p.m. and repeating Sunday, May 28 at 6:30 a.m.
Frontline’s “The Age of AIDS” airs: Tuesday, May 30 and Wednesday, May 31, at 9 p.m. For additional information, please visit www.knmetv.org and click on the Red Ribbon, or go to: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/aids“In Focus” special “The Risk Remains: HIV in New Mexico” features host Kate Nelson who will moderate a roundtable discussion of medical experts and outreach workers on the link between HIV/AIDS trends, Hepatitis C infections, and intravenous drug use in New Mexico.
The expert panel will also answer viewer phone calls and explain the community action needed to prevent New Mexico’s numerous Hepatitis C cases from becoming HIV cases.
KNME’s partner, New Mexico AIDS Services, will also be in-studio staffing a toll-free confidential hotline directing callers to local community HIV and Hepatitis C resources and information.
KNME received a $7,500 mini-grant from WGBH (PBS Boston) to assist in creating this special New Mexico program. A goal of offering this week of special programming is to raise awareness of the high risk behaviors that still make HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C a threat to New Mexico’s communities.
To that end, KNME has partnered with New Mexico AIDS Services for the 10th annual National HIV Testing Day, June 27. Sites across New Mexico will offer free HIV testing and counseling to the public. For a list of participating sites in your area, please visit the KNME website.
Media Contact: Carolyn Gonzales, (505) 277-5920; e-mail: cgonzal@unm.edu