Living with HIV [microform] : AIDS in School

This newsletter article is concerned with understanding what schools can and must do to sustain life in the age of human immunodeficiency virus and Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The article looks at the incidence of AIDS and reviews legislation related to AIDS infection and school attendance. School policy as it relates to students who have tested positive for HIV is considered. It is noted that the only known cure is prevention and the only prevention is active, effective education. Consequently, the state of HIV/AIDS education in the schools today is critically examined. The need for behavior modification in addition to knowledge about HIV/AIDS is discussed. The overrepresentation of young, black, and Hispanic persons among AIDS victims is considered, and the need for women to recognize the dangers of AIDS is emphasized. While prevention is stressed as the most desirable goal, when prevention efforts have not succeeded or when such efforts were nonexistent, the need for empowered care among AIDS victims is advocated. The need for health care for HIV/AIDS as a long-term chronic illness is stressed. The article concludes with a section on policy ideals. A sidebar called "AIDS 101" provides basic facts about HIV/AIDS. (NB)