Why Should You Participate?

HIV/AIDS has been a global epidemic for more than 27 years. Most of today's youth have never known a world without it. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently published national HIV incidence (new infections) that showed much higher numbers that previous estimates. The time is now. Together, we can prevent the spread of this pandemic – through awareness, care, prevention, education and research.

“HIV/AIDS has now become a pandemic that has literally put the world at risk, affecting diverse populations in different ways”. –Dr. Nora Volkow, NIDA Director

On December 1st, individuals and organizations will recognize World AIDS Day. This year’s theme is leadership – from all sectors, including government, but also leaders among individuals and families, communities, non-profits and other organizations. The question is not should you participate, but how can you? Both NIDA and AIDS.gov recognize the leadership of Bloggers Unite and invite bloggers to join them in their mission to prevent and stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.

How To Participate

As a blogger, you can help lead this mission. Some of you may already be doing this, so tell your story. Write about it and share it with NIDA, AIDS.gov and the Bloggers Unite community. Even if you are not a blogger, you can be involved. Both NIDA and AIDS.gov are working to share their research and prevention resources within the social realm. Here are five ways you can further the cause and elevate the voice of HIV/AIDS awareness online:

1. 'Be-Friend' NIDA and AIDS.gov on MySpace to stay connected to the issue and those working within it. Together, we can stay up-to-date on new efforts, research findings and activities.
2. Learn the link about HIV/AIDS and drug abuse by viewing NIDA’s online Webisodes, a video series about how non-injection drug use can lead to increased risk behavior, and can change lives forever. Once you learn the link, be sure to send the link to friends and family.
3. Visit the AIDS.gov blog and read how people are using new media tools in the response to HIV/AIDS.
4. Join the AIDS.gov Facing AIDS World AIDS Day Campaign and take a picture of yourself wearing a red ribbon and use that photo on your social network, blog, or Web site to help eliminate stigma and recognize World AIDS Day online. Also, add a badge to your website or blog.
5. Blog and read about the issue. Then be sure to share your posts with Bloggers Unite or on Twitter using the tag #WAD08.

Resources

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Drug abuse by any route can put a person at risk for getting HIV. This is because drug and alcohol intoxication affect judgment and can lead to unsafe sexual practices, which put people at risk for getting HIV or transmitting it to someone else. NIDA has developed the following resources to help educate, share and increase awareness of the AIDS issue.

NIDA’s Learn the Link Campaign

• Learn the Link: drugs + HIV Web site and Resource
• DROGAS + VIDA = Educate Web site and Resources in Español
• d’cisions Online Webisode Series
• Other Campaign Materials
• Drugs and HIV Resource Page

More Resources

• MetroTeen AIDS
• UN AIDS : The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS
• Latino Commission on AIDS

AIDS.gov

The Federal government has developed a wealth of HIV/AIDS testing, prevention, treatment and research information. In addition, the following are some of the many resources you can use to help response to HIV/AIDS.

• AIDS.gov blog about Using New Media Tools in Response to HIV/AIDS
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – HIV/AIDS
• Finding an HIV Testing Center Near You
• KNOWIT HIV Testing Text Messaging Campaign
• National HIV/AIDS Awareness Days
• Podcasts from AIDS.gov
• Updates from AIDS.gov from Twitter