District progressing in fight against AIDS/HIV
Brittany Hutson/Contributing Writer
Issue date: 10/12/08 Section: Neighborhood
"It boils down to saying 'no' more, getting tested more and using condoms even more," Simmons said.
David Mallory, director for the walk, also said the causes behind the rising numbers are multifaceted. "Part of it comes with the state of being young and the feeling of invincibility," he said. "There's still a stigma in a lot of communities around HIV/AIDS."
The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice has been monitoring the District's progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Last month, the center issued its fourth report card in which it commended the District for its surveillance of HIV and monitoring HIV/AIDS among those incarcerated. But the report strongly recommended adopting system-wide, health education standards in D.C.'s public schools.
"More can be done," said Simmons of the results. "But compared to a year and a half ago, we've come a long way. We need to better educate our youth on the disease so they won't have to struggle with the same thing some of us are struggling with now."
David Mallory, director for the walk, also said the causes behind the rising numbers are multifaceted. "Part of it comes with the state of being young and the feeling of invincibility," he said. "There's still a stigma in a lot of communities around HIV/AIDS."
The DC Appleseed Center for Law and Justice has been monitoring the District's progress in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Last month, the center issued its fourth report card in which it commended the District for its surveillance of HIV and monitoring HIV/AIDS among those incarcerated. But the report strongly recommended adopting system-wide, health education standards in D.C.'s public schools.
"More can be done," said Simmons of the results. "But compared to a year and a half ago, we've come a long way. We need to better educate our youth on the disease so they won't have to struggle with the same thing some of us are struggling with now."
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