The HIV/AIDS pandemic is the greatest public health challenge in the world today – 14.5 million children are already orphans because their parents have died with AIDS. Across the world the number of young people infected grows daily.
Millions of people living with HIV suffer stigma and discrimination every day. Many millions more don’t have access to knowledge that would allow them to protect themselves from infection.
HIV & AIDS education is key to challenging prejudice and reducing the number of new infections, yet stigma continues to create barriers to much needed educational and prevention work. UNICEF estimates that over 50% of young people in developing countries have never heard of AIDS or do not know how HIV is transmitted.
In the UK, availability of effective drug therapies has improved health and life expectancy for many people living with HIV, but the number of new infections continues to rise. A survey amongst school children in the UK aged 10 and 11 years showed that over 60% had not heard of AIDS (Schools Health Education Unit, 2001).
‘Providing young people with candid information and life skills is a prerequisite for success in any AIDS response’ – UNAIDS/WHO 2001
MADaboutART has developed a range of fun, HIV educational resources which are available in the 'Meet Vinnie' section. More will be added soon.