Reclaiming our Youth Through Community Connections III :

Focus on Girls and Young Women

Symposium

The onset of puberty is occuring much earlier for many American girls.   This results in young people exploring various behaviors that can put them at risk for sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.  This is particularly true for girls and young women.  Over the past ten years Educating Teens about HIV/AIDS Incorporated (ETAH) has worked tirelessly to convey the message that “HIV/AIDS is 100% Preventable.”   Early on,  ETAH acknowledged that HIV/AIDS is not the problem.   The societal ills that confront youth are paramount in the increase risk for contracting and transmitting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV/AIDS.      

 

What does this mean?  The statistics below make it clear that young people are in a crisis:

 

·         One in four American girls has a sexually transmitted disease.

·         50% of all new HIV infections occur in people under the age of 25.

·         Girls represent 51% of the 15-19 year olds infected with HIV, and 65% of these girls are African American.

·         Every nine and a half minutes, a person in the U.S. is infected with HIV.

·         AIDS is the leading cause of death among black women ages 25-34.

·         Pennsylvania ranks 6th in the nation in cumulative AIDS cases.

 

      

We must change these statistics!  We ask that the entire community assume a greater responsibility in prevention education for HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.  Working together we can change the statistics.  ETAH uses a multi-disciplined approach for prevention education that addresses the social and cultural underpinnings of risky behavior, such as low self esteem, peer pressure, violence, drugs & alcohol abuse, economic hardships, and other societal ills.  Please join us in “Reclaiming our Youth."

October 13, 2010.

Location:  OMNI William Penn Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

Special Guest, Miss America, Caressa Cameron, her platform is ‘AIDS in America’

Invited presenters: Christopher Bates, Jeff Crowley, of the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, Mary Bowers of the Office on Women’s Health and other national and local leaders.

Audience

The targeted audience for the expanded program includes:  educators, parents, faith-based organizations, community organizations, service providers, health departments, health providers, government officials, and college/school officials.

Registration Fee:  $65.00 (includes Luncheon)