World AIDS Day is December 1, 2011

A FREE Public Event

Since 2006, The Long Beach AIDS Foundation has been host to nearly 1000 people attending the World AIDS Day event on December 1st. The evening includes entertainment, interactive art, education, health exhibits and live performances.

The success of the public educational outreach of the World AIDS Day program is an innovative departure from the standard reflection or candle-light vigil held in most communities.  The fact that the attendees range in age from 14 to 80 bodes well for a well-rounded educational program.  The Board of Trustees of the Foundation seeks to ensure that every opportunity is a "teachable moment" that candle-light vigils do not afford to those under the age of 24, the most affected population.

With over 50% of all new HIV infections occur among those ages, 15 to 24; and nearly half of them are unaware they are infected, the Foundation finds that connecting with youth and adolescents must be a priority.  A survey of youth and adolescents by the Foundation, found compelling evidence that candle-light vigils held no meaning to this group having no direct knowledge of someone passing from AIDS. 

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The Foundation emphatically believes that in order to connect with this most affected population, we must not employ methods that have done nothing to reduce new HIV infections.  In fact, the Foundation is most concerned with the less than stellar results HIV agencies have achieved in HIV reductions since subscribing to the UNAIDS goals in 2005 of a 10% reduction on new HIV infections.

Why should you be concerned?  Our industry has failed to reach a 10% reduction on new HIV infections. Now, the White House has set a goal for 2014 to achieve a 5% reduction on HIV infections. Yet, Federal, State and County funding still seems to favor current prevention programs that have not proven any measureable reductions in new infections. Interestingly, at nearly the same time, South Africa, a developing nation with less resources, reduced new HIV infections by 25% since 2006.

We want to see innovation in our HIV prevention and education communities.  While it is important to collect imperical data to support our funding reports, we believe that only innovative collaboration with partners who believe in bettering ones community is the key to the future.

While we know this statement may raise the eyebrows of some of our fellow community AIDS Service Organizations, we hope this also spawns dialogue on how to change course in current prevention programs and truly innovate in ways that draw down new HIV infection rates.  The old saying about what the definition of "insanity" is, still applies here.  Let's stop doing the same thing and expecting different results.  We hope you agree.