Here's what I've learned during the process.

A learning experience

My eyes have been opened up to the lack of media attention given to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. What troubled me more was that it seems to be even worse here in South Florida. Some critics say tourism could play a major role in the lack of attention focused on the virus. Many people don't want to show visitors what lies beneath the glamour of this city.

When I first started working on my blog I focused mainly on HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, but now I see that there are so many other cracks within the health care system. South Florida seems to be under prepared to deal with people infected with the virus. Our area has a growing population and an even faster growing population affected by HIV/AIDS, but lacks the means to treat and educate the community on the subject.

More attention needs to be brought to the lack of medical care for those infected with HIV/AIDS, and the difficulty many face in getting the necessary meds they need to live with the disease.


Multi-media

A new age in media has come before us, media that brings print, video and the web together under one roof. I like the idea of having multiple ways of giving the audience a message. It seems to be the best way to grab the consumer in such competitive times. Video allows the viewer to see images that bring the story to life, while print only allows the reader to imagine the story in their own mind. I think there’s room for both types of media to survive in this world. People still like to use their imagination even though we live in a world of instant gratification.
Working on the HIV/AIDS website has taught me a lot about how to structure a web page that is both easy for the viewer to follow, as well as pleasant to the eye. We had a chance to look at other websites pertaining to the same subject and found that they didn’t really capture your interest. While it’s true that the content is the most important part of the website, aesthetics allow you to hold the viewer long enough to read your content.

I look forward to finishing this project about HIV/AIDS awareness, and hopefully making a difference along the way.

Critics question the effectiveness of White Party week.

Miami, Fl. – A local event aimed at educating the public and stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS might be encouraging un-safe sex. White Party week is an annual event held here in Miami by Care Resources. The event brings more than ten-thousand members of the gay and lesbian community together to raise awareness in the fight against AIDS. White Party week is one of the world’s largest and oldest fundraisers for AIDS and HIV prevention.

The party’s popularity has grown immensely over the past few years, but some people question the motives behind such festivities. “I think these parties perpetuate or increase the risk of people being infected,” said Sioux Vargas, an employee of Care Resources. Many of the parties are held at various club venues around Miami and last until the early morning hours. Some Care Resource workers have seen things during these events that cause them great concern. “All you see is just plain partying and drinking and drugging. Crystal-meth and you name is what’s going on at these events.” said Vargas. “I think if you had something like a concert type atmosphere, I think it might reduce the risk.”

While the week-long parties raise a significant amount of money for AIDS, some people like Liz Matoz, a health care worker here in Miami, think it would be beneficial to include more of the community. “White Party week is open to everyone, but promoters target mainly the gay and lesbian community. I think they should be more open to include an even larger section of the community. Maybe even churches,” said Matoz.

Care Resources does host many effective campaigns throughout the year. They hold an AIDS walk in downtown Miami and other various fundraising events that have helped raise awareness and raise money in the fight against AIDS.

White Party week, which started off as a fundraising event has become more of a circuit party to many attendees. A couple from Minneapolis, who has been planning to attend the event since last year, opened up about what brought them to the festivities. "We came here to get away from the cold weather and get some sun, and some bum," said Steve and Mike.

Over the years the message that the event was meant to convey has been lost. There are no longer free condoms handed out at the door of each event, or discussions on protected sex.


The spread of AIDS/HIV is still on the rise according to a 2007 stats report. Florida currently ranks third in the nation in the number of persons living with AIDS. The Miami metropolitan area has the highest AIDS rates in the nation (52.8) followed by Ft. Lauderdale (45.8) nationwide men who have sex with men represent the largest portion of new infections (49%).

AIDS among young gay men appears to be making an alarming comeback, according to a recent article in the New York Times. It also seems that its affects are being felt more by the Hispanic and black community. The main reason given behind the surge is that people have become less cautious. New York City health officials report new diagnoses of the H.I.V. infection in gay men under age 30 rose 32 percent between 2001 and 2006. According to the New York Times’ article officials are citing increased drug and alcohol use to be the main cause.They go on to say that people are not getting tested before having sex with a potentially infected partner.

On the other hand infections in gay men over 30 dropped 22 percent. Probably because these men have seen the disease take the lives of friends and partners. They know how horrible the affects of the disease are when full blown. AIDS use to be untreatable, but then came the cocktails of the 80’s, which allowed people affected with the disease to live years without showing symptoms.

Another reason for the surge could be linked to the rise in bathhouses and cruising sites here in Florida and throughout the U.S. There are plenty of designated places where men can go to engage in anonymous sex. “It’s not unusual for you to have multiple partners in a place like this,” said a young man who frequents a place called The Club in Ft. Lauderdale. In places such as San Francisco, bathhouses were shut down and people in the gay community came out strong against unsafe sex in the early 80’s. Now it seems that people have forgotten the risks, or maybe are just too young to remember.

The young people of today seem to believe that HIV/AIDS no longer takes lives. Although the prognosis for those infected with the disease has improved thanks to antiretroviral therapy, it’s still too soon to know what will happen in the future.

In the past year new ad campaigns are making an impact. The grim reaper commercial from Australia shows a group of individuals going up an elevator and stepping out. They’re greeted by the grim reaper who throws a bowling ball towards them anticipating a strike. Everyone is knocked to the ground and the next group steps out. The same thing repeats itself with each group until no one’s left standing. M.A.C. Cosmetics also recently started a new H.I.V/A.I.D.S. awareness campaign designated to treatment, education and prevention. The campaign has raised millions of dollars that have gone into starting new clinics in impoverished areas, and educating people at risk such the young and the poor.

The bottom line is people need to start speaking out in favor of safe sex and stop viewing A.I.D.S as the treatable disease. It’s still claiming thousands of lives every year. It’s up to us as a community to educate the young and instill a sense of self preservation. A.I.D.S has become nothing more than a venereal disease to those who insist on having unprotected sex. Events such as White Party week should not only seek to entertain, but also inform its attendees.

Raising Awareness

White Party week is an annual event held by Care Resources here in Miami. The event is meant to raise money and promote awareness in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Some health professionals feel that while the event does raise a lot of money, it doesn't do enough to fight against the spread of the disease.

Many of the events during White Party week last until the morning hours and are held at various clubs throughout Miami. According to a health care worker from Care Resources, drug use and sexual activity are rampant during these events. He suggested toning down some of the parties. Maybe even holding concerts instead.

People are still out there having unsafe sex, even though they know the risks. I've heard people say that you don't die from this disease like before. This might have been true a few years ago, but things have changed. The old cocktails from the 70's and 80's no longer work on people infected with HIV/AIDS. A new strain of the disease has become resistant. Many people I know who have had the disease for years have recently died.

The spread of HIV/AIDS is still on the rise. According to the 2007 stats report, Florida ranks third in the nation in the number of persons living with AIDS. The Miami metropolitan area has the highest AIDS rates in the nation(52.8), followed by Ft. Lauderdale at (45.8)