Rhode Island HIV Prevention Coalition Observes World AIDS Day

At noon on Monday, December 1 in the stateroom on Capitol Hill, Governor Lincoln Chafee, Representative Christopher Blazejewski, Dr. Amy Nun of Brown University School of Public Health and advocates Josh Kilby and Brandon Fernandes will come together to remember people lost to HIV/AIDS, as well as those infected and affected by the epidemic.

"HIV affects people of all ages and backgrounds. Everyone should be tested at least once and annually if sexually active," said Dr. Philip A. Chan, an HIV doctor at the Miriam Hospital. "Together, we can help prevent HIV and get to zero new cases in the states!"

As of 2012, 1,591 Rhode Islanders have been lost to this epidemic. Although the rates of infection have decreased over the last 30 years, there were still 74 new cases of HIV in 2013. With the RI Department of Health's tremendous efforts for increased testing, this number has surely increased for 2014. Unfortunately, primary prevention is still largely underfunded and should be considered a valuable piece to prevention if we are to truly get to zero.

Kristen Pfeiffer, MSW, project director at The Miriam Hospital, said that in Rhode Island, rates of STDs like gonorrhea and syphilis are on the rise, which can increase the likelihood of HIV infection. Pfeiffer said that there needs to be more awareness and more dollars invested in primary prevention, education and testing.

"Comprehensive sexuality education is the key to preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections," echoed Pierrette Silverman, Vice President, Education & Training, Planned Parenthood of Southern New England. "Health care providers and educators must continue to provide medically accurate and age-appropriate sexual health education; we also need to provide skill building on the proper use of condoms and other safer sex methods so that those who chose to engage in sexual activity are knowledgeable and protected."

And Helen MacDonald, a youth advocate from Sojourner House, said, "HIV/AIDS is more than an individual's illness; it's a community concern, and it often impacts the communities that are already disproportionately marginalized and disenfranchised. When we stop talking about HIV/AIDS as a personal responsibility, but rather as an issue that demands community level engagement, we will be able to reduce transmission, increase access to healthcare for those living with the disease, and improve the well-being of our neighborhoods, our cities and our state."

For more information, visit www.familyserviceri.org or www.aidsprojectri.org

WAD Events

RISD Recognizes World AIDS Day 2014
November 17-December 5
Fleet Library, Mandle Building, 15 Westminster St., Providence
Four panels from the National AIDS Quilts
For more information, visit events.risd.edu or contact Intercultural Student Engagement ([email protected] or 401-277-4957)

Rhode Island World AIDS Day Statehouse Event
Monday, December 1 at noon
Rhode Island Statehouse
Featured Speakers: Governor Lincoln Chafee, Rep. Christopher Blazejewski, Dr. Amy Nunn, Josh Kilby, Brandon Fernandes
Sponsored by Rhode Island Coalition for HIV Prevention
Contact Person: Kristen Pfeiffer, MSW; [email protected]

A Night of Sonnet and Song
Monday, December 1, Doors open at 5:30 p.m.
St. Anne's Art and Cultural Center, 84 Cumberland Street, Woonsocket, RI 02895
Sponsored by The Agape Center of Community Care Alliance and Thundermist Health Center, Contact [email protected]

Alternate Endings: The Ongoing HIV/AIDS Epidemic
Featuring videos by seven artists/collaborates
Monday, December 1, at 8 p.m.
Free (suggested $5 donation)
AS220 Black Box Theatre
95 Empire Street, Providence
Sponsored by: Visual AIDS and Headmaster Magazine

Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-free Generation
Wednesday, December 3
7-8:30 p.m.
URI Alumni Center
73 Upper College Road, Kingston, RI
Parking off Fortin Road at rear of center
Sponsored by: AIDS Quilt RI, Anna's Workshop, URI Public Relations Strategies Class