Unfortunate Trend: Decline in Media Coverage of HIV-AIDS

On December 3rd, Businessweek ran the following story: Dramatic Decline Seen in AIDS News Coverage

According to the study that prompted the article, "Media coverage of HIV/AIDS fell more than 70 percent in developed countries over the last two decades, [most notably] in American and French newspapers[...]" the article goes on to note that "[while] media coverage of HIV/AIDS has decreased in some nations, coverage has remained at a high level or increased in areas hardest hit by the AIDS pandemic, such as South Africa."

As is the case with many of the important issues facing us today, this disease is a daily reality for millions around the world, yet it is being largely ignored by those who could do the most good. In 2009, it was estimated that as many as 35 million people world-wide were infected with HIV/AIDS.

This is not something that will go away if we ignore. 1 in 5 people infected with HIV is unaware of their status. Every 9.5 minutes, another person in the United States is infected with the virus. We need to stand together to keep each other safe and healthy.

President Obama recently released a national strategy to combat HIV/AIDS in our communities. The Oregon legislature recently mandated that human sexuality education in schools must be medically accurate, age appropriate and comprehensive, teaching youth how to be safe if they are sexually active. We are taking steps to stop the spread of the virus, but we have more to take. One of those is to remember that this is not an issue we can let fall by the wayside. Awareness is necessary to end the stigma attached to HIV/AIDS, to increase access to medical care for all those infected or at-risk of infection, and to prevent the spread of the virus. Perhaps someday we will even find a cure--but not if we stop looking.

"The vast majority of HIV/AIDS research occurs in the developed nations, so the apparent lack of interest in those countries may harm efforts to find ways to fight the spreading AIDS pandemic in developing nations, the researchers said."

 We all need to be leaders in this. Many people look at the lack of reporting and take it to mean that instances of infection are declining; they aren't. They should be, and we can ensure that they do by educating ourselves and each other on the facts, practicing safe sex and getting tested.

Camp Starlight

Camp Starlight is a week-long residential camp that provides children whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS the opportunity to enjoy a caring, safe, recreational, spiritual, and fun camping experience. Every August since 1999, 65 children ages 5-14 travel to the Oregon Coast to enjoy a week of fun.

This amazing program is happening this week. It is one of the many programs that monies raised at AIDS Walk Portland supports. Please share this video far and wide.

CAP Program Highlight: Camp Starlight

Camp Starlight, a program of Cascade AIDS Project, is a residential camp that serves children and youth ages 5 to 14 from across Oregon and Southwestern Washington. The program gives HIV-affected and -infected children the opportunity to enjoy a week at B’nai B’rith Camp. At Camp Starlight, children dealing with HIV themselves or in their family can feel “normal” knowing every other child at camp understands their situation. Camp Starlight partners with another program at Cascade AIDS Project called “Kids Connection” to offer campers and their families activities throughout the year to help maintain friendships and build lasting support networks.

During a typical day at Camp Starlight, campers eat breakfast together at about 8:30 am, then separate into groups based on age for a morning fun, doing such things as archery, canoeing and dance, playing music, and enjoying nature, pool time, and arts and crafts. After lunch, campers have a rest period when the younger children usually take naps. Then another cycle of activities begins, including a “free period” where campers can choose the activity they prefer. Each night, there is a different activity. One evening is movie night- campers bring their sleeping bags to the baseball field to watch a movie and sleep under the stars. On another evening, campers hold a talent show called “Night of a Thousand Stars”. On yet another night, Camp Starlight holds a carnival with games and costumes.

Camp Starlight works to ensure safe space for all attendees. The camper-to-staff ratio is about two to one rather than the eight-to-one ratio in an average camp. This high number of staff promises that each camper is showered with attention and acceptance. Additionally, other than a fun, first-night skit directly addressing HIV, campers are free to talk about HIV—or not—as they choose during the duration of the camp. Attendance is free of charge to the campers, which is the only way most of the campers are able to attend.

Camp Starlight gives children a chance to recover from the stress of living with HIV and to spend time with other children who understand their challenges. This builds resiliency and sense of community, which, in turn, decreases feelings of isolation and improves social satisfaction and well-being. In taking away the fear of talking about HIV, some of the stigma of HIV lifts. It is only by talking about HIV, asking questions about it, learning about it, and understanding that people living with HIV/AIDS are among us as friends, neighbors, and coworkers that we can confront the pandemic head on.

More information is available on the camp brochure. For information about becoming a camper, please contact Angie Raffaele-Burns, Camp Starlight Coordinator, at 503.223.5907 ext 3823.