HIV and AIDS

AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) was first reported in the US in 1981 and has since reached epidemic proportions, causing major concern worldwide.  AIDS is caused by HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), a virus that attacks the immune system of the body, weakening its ability to fight infection; the most advanced stages of HIV infection lead to AIDS. According to the Centers for Disease Control, over 1 million Americans were living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2003 and an estimated 35,000 new cases were reported in the United States in 2006.

Transmission of HIV/AIDS varies from unprotected sexual activity to sharing hypodermic needles with infected persons to transmission from mother to child during pregnancy.  While many organizations and institutions provide resources about transmission, risks, preventative measures, and testing, HIV and AIDS are still of great concern today.  With infection rates growing rapidly amongst minorities and in developing nations, HIV and AIDS raise important issues that move beyond the disease itself, including health care access and funding, public health programs, sexual education, and social conditions.

Centers for Disease Control.  Department of Health and Human Services. 17 April 2009. 

"Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)." Sexually Transmitted Diseases Sourcebook.  ed. Amy L. Sutton. 3rd edition. 2006.

• AIDS.gov
• U.S. government web site.
• AIDS.org
• The mission of AIDS.ORG is to help prevent HIV infections and to improve the lives of those affected by HIV and AIDS by providing education and facilitating the free and open exchange of knowledge at an easy-to-find centralized website.
• AIDS Research Alliance of America
• ARA’s mission is to find and accelerate the development of effective treatments for HIV and its complications. We do this by conducting cutting edge research and clinical trials in order to improve the longevity and quality of life for all people with immune deficiency. 
• AIDSinfo
• Offering information on HIV/AIDS treatment, prevention, and research. 
• All About Care
• Their goal is to communicate with the public about HIV/AIDS in our San Joaquin Valley. 
• Center for Substance Abuse Treatment, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
• Children With AIDS Project
• CWA works to create adoptive, foster, family centered care programs that are both effective and compassionate.
• Georgia AIDS Coalition
• AIDS site for Georgia.
• HIV Health and Human Services Planning Council of New York
• Charged with developing spending priorities and allocating for Ryan White CARE Act Title I funds based on the needs of the ever-changing HIV/AIDS epidemic. 
• HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration
• Keep A Child Alive
  Provides anti-retroviral medicines for children and their families at clinics in Ethiopia, India, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, and Uganda.
• The Life Group L.A.
  A coalition of people dedicated to the education, empowerment and emotional support of persons both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS so that they may make informed choices and decisions regarding their healthcare and personal well being. 
• San Francisco AIDS Foundation
  The mission of the agency is to end the pandemic and the human suffering caused by HIV. To that end, we provide a comprehensive array of services -- including financial benefits counseling, client advocacy, housing assistance, HIV prevention efforts, needle exchange, and the California AIDS Hotline -- that directly serve over 100,000 individuals affected by HIV/AIDS.
• UNAIDS
  UN AIDS site.
• USF Center for HIV Education and Research
• The Center serves health care professionals throughout Florida by providing education and information on the transmission, control, treatment, and prevention of HIV and AIDS and by conducting related research and community outreach.