Publish to Newswire
Add an EventFrom the Open-Publishing Calendar
From the Open-Publishing Newswire
Indybay Feature
Kaiser Foundation and Viacom take on AIDS
Kaiser Foundation and Viacom take on AIDS - One Episode at a Time
At first blush, it might seem like an odd coincidence.
In a January episode of CBS's drama "The District," two detectives discovered that a suspected dealer was stealing drugs to help his sister cope with AIDS. In February, on the CBS sitcom "Becker," Ted Danson's character educated a 15-year-old patient about the risk of HIV. The same month, an episode of UPN's "Star Trek Enterprise" explored the stigma of an AIDS-like virus. Flipping the channel last winter, TV viewers could have seen shows dealing with everything from the dangers of unprotected sex to the impact of AIDS on friends and family.
As it turns out, the slew of AIDS-themed programming was not happenstance. Viacom Inc., the global media company that owns CBS, UPN, and many other TV and radio stations, aired the shows as part of a coordinated campaign to combat AIDS. In all, 10 sitcoms and dramas have dealt with AIDS-related themes since Viacom launched its initiative, and the episodes have reached tens of millions of viewers, according to Imara Jones, who directs the effort. Behind the campaign, in active partnership with Viacom, is the Kaiser Family Foundation, a Menlo Park, Calif.-based philanthropy with a mission to educate the public about health policy issues.
"[TV] programming is clearly effective because it allows you to explore complicated themes over a period of time," Jones said. "The programs use situations and language people are familiar with to possibly provide lifesaving information in a way that is entertaining as well as informative."
Viacom and Kaiser first worked together to promote AIDS awareness in 1997, when public service announcements and documentaries began airing on Viacom stations MTV and Black Entertainment Television.
That year, Kaiser conducted a briefing on emerging health topics, including emergency contraception, for the writers and producers of NBC's medical drama "ER." Soon after, the writers contacted the foundation to help them develop a vignette about a patient who had been date raped, and who wanted to know what she could do to prevent pregnancy. In the episode, doctors tell the patient that she can use birth control pills for postcoital contraception. Kaiser surveyed 700 "ER" viewers before and after the show, and found the number of viewers who knew about the option of emergency contraception increased from 50 to 67 percent after the show aired.
In June 1997, foundation president and CEO Drew Altman and director of entertainment media and public health Vicky Rideout (now also a vice president) published a column in the Los Angeles Times, citing the "ER" survey and urging TV writers and producers to make condom use as prevalent as sex on TV. "A condom on the bedside table of a popular TV show … could have more impact on young people than any government program or public service advertising campaign," they wrote, adding that the industry had the opportunity "to make money and do good at the same time by incorporating useful public health information and socially responsible themes into regular TV programming."
For more information:
http://www.HispanicEconomics.com
We are 100% volunteer and depend on your participation to sustain our efforts!
Donate
$190.00 donated
in the past month
Get Involved
If you'd like to help with maintaining or developing the website, contact us.
Publish
Publish your stories and upcoming events on Indybay.
Topics
More
Search Indybay's Archives
Advanced Search
►
▼
IMC Network
Source: - CDC
TWELVE HUNDRED AND ELEVEN in nearly 18 years or a mere 67 cases a year.
JUST OVER ONE CAUCASIAN TEEN 'AIDS' CASE PER U.S. STATE A YEAR.
HARDLY AN 'EPIDEMIC!
That figure of 1.28 cases per State is lower than gun shotdeaths in the Mac Arthur Park area of Los Angeles in a single month.
Check for yourself (don't take our word for it) at: - http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/stats/hasr1302/table7.htm
IN CONTRAST
In the same period people over 60 (caucasian) had 9,338 cases.
Those old folks must be sex mad - Nine times MORE sex than teenagers.
....or could it just be that 'AIDS' is not an std? Surely not? God forbid! Perish the thought!
_________
CANADA
Table 1: Number of reported AIDS Cases with Associated Exposure Categories (%) for Individuals 10 to 24 Years of Age in Canada, Diagnosed up to June 30, 2002. Totals for all cases since 1983 (20 + years).
Category
10 -19 years of age - 87. Percentage of total 0.5%.
Cases per year - 3.35
Only 7% or 6 teen hetero cases in TWENTY YEARS. SOME EPIDEMIC!
20-24 years of age - 540. Percentage of total 2.9%.
Cases per year - 27
CHECK HERE
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/pphb-dgspsp/publicat/epiu-aepi/hiv-vih/youth_e.html
The interesting thing about the statistics on this official site is the charts of other std (not that 'AIDS' is either an std or even a syndrome).
They show that the VAST majority of cases are in their teens while a mere HALF PER CENT of 'AIDS' cases are teenagers and only 2.9% in their early twenties.
Clearly this does NOT fit the pattern of a sexually transmitted disease.
THE SPERM VS. THE AIDS VIRUS
A paper in the February 1992 issue of Applied and Environmental Microbiology reports that filtration techniques show the HIV-1 virus to be 0.1 micron (4 millionths of an inch) in diameter. It is three times smaller than the herpes virus, 60 times smaller than the syphilis
spirochete, and 50 to 450 times smaller than sperm. (8)
THE FLAWED CONDOM
Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) researchers, using powerful electron microscopes, have found that new latex, from which
condoms are fabricated, contains "maximum inherent flaw[s]" (that is, holes) 70 microns in diameter. (9)
These holes are 700 times larger than the HIV-1 virus. There are pores in latex, and some of the pores are large enough to pass sperm-sized particles. Carey, et al., observed leakage of HIV-sized particles through 33%+ of the latex condoms tested. In addition, as Gordon points out in his review, the testing procedures for condoms are less than desirable. United States condom manufacturers are allowed 0.4% leaky condoms (AQL). Gordon states, "The fluctuations in sampling permits many batches not meeting AQL to be sold." In the United
States, 12% of domestic and 21% of imported batches of condoms have failed to meet the 0.4% AQL. (10)
CONDOMS FAIL TESTING
In a 1988 study sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, Bruce Voeller of the Mariposa Foundation in Topanga, California, a non-profit organization dedicated to preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, ranked 31 brands of latex condoms according to how well they met the U.S. and international quality assurance standards designed to ensure that condoms provide an effective
barrier against human sperm.
"Many of the condoms now on the market would not get FDA approval if they were required to meet today’s standards," says
Voeller. Although all condoms sold in the U.S.are supposed to pass quality assurance tests, those marketed before 1976 need not meet the more stringent requirements necessary to win FDA marketing approval. (11)
Dr. Collart reports that "Gotszche and Hording in their study of in vivo [real life] condom failure rates concluded ‘Condoms to
prevent HIV transmission do not imply truly safe sex.’ In addition Steiner, et al., observed newer lots of condoms had actual breakage rates of 3.5-8.8%, while actual breakage rates for older lots ranged from 9.8-18.6%. In a study conducted by Ahmed, et al., 29%-42% of those who had used condoms experienced at least one breakage. In a survey conducted by the University of Manchester, 52% of those who had
obtained condoms from their family planning clinic had one or more either burst or slip off in the 3 months before the survey. In
studies by Albert, et al., and by Wright, et al., 36% and 38% of their respondents reported condom failures respectively." (12)
CONDOM + SPERMICIDE
Some have advocated the use of spermicide containing nonoxynol-9 in the prevention of HIV infection. However, the protective effects of nonoxynol-9 have not been established in vivo for any of the viral STDs. Some reports suggest that spermicides (including nonoxynol-9) may be associated with irritation and ulceration of genital and rectal epithelia, side-effects that may actually facilitate HIV infection.
In a study with Nairobi prostitutes, a higher rate of new HIV infections was found among women using nonoxynol-9 than among those not using it. Additionally, in a study of rhesus monkeys who were exposed to a high dose of simian immunodeficiency virus following vaginally inserted nonoxynol-9 foam, half the monkeys developed an infection. (13, 14, 15, 16)
CONDOM CLIMATE CONTROL
Condoms are sensitive to heat and cold, yet they are not normally transported in climate-controlled vehicles. Vesey, in his study ofcondoms,checked 72,000 trucks and has actual photographs of eggs frying in the backs of trucks used for condom distribution.
Partly due to Vesey’s study, Burlington County, NJ, banned the distribution of condoms at the county’s AIDS counselling center, because they concluded that the risk of liability for condom failures was too great. (17)
RISKY BUSINESS
The United States Public Health Service states that sexual relations, even with a condom, with a person who is
HIV-positive is so risky that alternative methods of expressing physical intimacy should be considered. Additionally, Public Health Services warns that the rate of HIV transmission in anal intercourse is so high that the practice should be avoided. (27)
PANACEA OR PLACEBO?
In conclusion, Herbert Ratner, M.D., offers the best summary of all when he says,
Actually, the major accomplishment of the condom campaign to prevent AIDS is to impress the promoters, politicians and the public at large that something is being done; and although well-intentioned, it offers more of a placebo than a panacea.
Publicizing the condom to the four winds is, for the most part, the bravura of a puritan who is trying to prove to the world
that he is not a puritan. To concentrate on the mechanical aspects of the sex act to the exclusion of the emotional and psychological aspects (which the condom campaign ignores) is the essence of Puritanism. The only difference between the new and the old is that whereas the traditional puritans were alleged to believe that sex was something to be isolated and repressed, neo-puritans accept sex as something to be isolated and exercised. (28)
Reviewed by Joel McIlhaney, M.D., of the Medical Institute for Sexual Health
NOTES
1.Weller, Susan C., "A Meta-Analysis of Condom Effectiveness in Reducing Sexually Transmitted HIV," Social Science and
Medicine, Vol. 36, #12, June 1993, pp. 1635-1644.
2.Smith, Richard W., The Condom: Is It Really Safe Sex? (unpublished, October 1990) pp. 8-9.
3.Collart, David G., M.D., Condom Failure for Protection From Sexual Transmission of the HIV: A Review of the Medical
Literature, Feb. 16 1993.
4.Zenilman, Jonathan, et al., "Condom Use to Prevent Incident STDs: The Validity of Self-Reported Condom Use," Sexually
Transmitted Diseases, Jan.-Feb. 1995, pp.15-21;
5.Ravenel S. duBose, M.D., "Comments and Observations," Aug. 5, 1995.
6.Joel McIlhaney, Jr., M.D., "Chlamydia Trachomatis; The Most Common Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Disease in the United
States," Medical Institute for Sexual Health Sexual Health Update, Vol. 3, #3, Fall, 1995.
7.Friedman and Trivelli, "Condom Availability for Youth: A High Risk Alternative," Pediatrics, 2/97, p. 285.
8.Lytle, C. D., et al., "Filtration Sizes of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 and Surrogate Viruses Used to Test Barrier
Materials," Applied and Environmental Microbiology, Vol. 58, #2, Feb. 1992.
9."Anomalous Fatigue Behavior in Polysoprene," Rubber Chemistry and Technology, Vol. 62, #4, Sep.-Oct. 1989.
10.Collart, David G., M.D., loc. cit.
11.Nowak, Rachel, "Research Reveals Condom Conundrums," The Journal of NIH Research, Vol. 5, Jan. 1993, pp. 32, 33.
12.Collart, David G., M.D., op. cit.
13.Bird, K.D., AIDS, Vol. 5, pp. 791-796, 1991.
14.Voeller, B., AIDS, Vol. 6, pp. 341-342, 1992.
15.Kreiss, J.; Ruminjo, I.; Ngugi, E.; Roberts, P.; Ndinya-Achola, J.; and Plummer, F., 1989 V International Conference on AIDS,
Montreal.
16.Miller, C.J.; Alexander, N.J.; Sutjipto, S.; et al., J. Med. Primatol, Vol. 19, pp. 401-409, 1990.
17.Vesey, W.B., HLI Reports, Vol. 9, pp. 1-4, 1991.
18.April, K., and Schreiner, W., Schweiz. med. Wschr., Vol. 120, pp. 972-978, 1990.
19.Frosner, G.G., 1989, Infection, Vol. 17, pp. 1-3.
20.Fischl, M.A.; Dickinson, G.M.; Segsl, A.; Flanagan, S.; and Rodriguez, M.; Presentation THP. 92, III International Conference
on
AIDS in Washington D.C., 1-5 June, p. 178, 1987.
21.Klimes, I., et al., AIDS Care, Vol. 4, p. 151, 1992.
22.Detels, R.; English, P.; Visscher, B.R.; Jacobson, L.; Kingsley, L.A.; Chmiel, J.S.; Dudley, J.P.; Eldred, L.J.; and Ginzburg,
H.M.;Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Vol. 2, pp. 77-83, 1989.
23.Gordon, R., loc. cit.
24.Joffe, G.P.; Foxman, B.; Schmidt, A.J.; Farris, K.B.; Carter, R.J.; Neumann, S.; Tolo, K.-A.; and Walters, A.M.; 1992, Sexually
Transmitted Diseases, Vol. 19, pp. 272-278.
25.Cohen, D.A.; Dent, C.; MacKinnon, D.; and Hahn, G.; Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Vol. 19, pp. 245-251, 1992.
26.Frösner, G.G., loc. cit.
27.Byer, C.O., and Shainberg, L.W., Dimensions of Human Sexuality, Wm. C. Brown Publishers, 1991.
28.Ratner, Herbert, M.D., "Condoms and AIDS," ALL About Issues, Feb. 1989, p. 36.
AIDS dissidents (better known as AIDS Denialists who are AIDS dissidence, dissidence is anti-establishment like, against science and progression, argumentative) deny HIV causes AIDS and claim the medications kill the patients (AZT "over use" alone started this myth in the late 80s, but medicine combo/therapies are working today in the year 2000+). Basically a group of non doctors and non scientists who challenge the conventional HIV/AIDS model or hypothesis and do not accept the proven evidence. These dissident groups seem almost fanatical by them posting the same message multiple times to a targeted list of internet websites (non dissident sites of course, clogging up the normal flow of reading material with intentions of shutting the sites down) and insulting/bashing anyone who may not agree.
What are AIDS dissidents? Find out who, what, where, when and why:
http://www.hivforum.com/?dissident=dissident+site:aegis.com
What are AIDS denialists all about? See the myths exposed:
http://www.hivforum.com/?dissident=dissident+site:thebody.com
Learn about how they are murdering HIV positive people:
http://www.medchecker.com/dissident/aids-dissidents.htm
Thanks.
http://www.HIVforum.com
Please visit pozfriends.net (forums, chat, dating, guestbook, member photos, anti dissident action group, etc) to learn the truths (AIDS EXISTS).