Details of A.I.D.S. Awareness Week

Press, 10 September 1987, Page 7

Details of A.I.D.S. Awareness Week

A national A.I.D.S. Awareness Week from September 19 to 26 will feature community activities and new television and radio advertisements, the Health Department said.

Dr Karen Poutasi, the department’s chief health officer, said the week was part of a new national education campaign co-ordinated by the A.I.D.S. Education Working Party.

“The aim of the campaign is to reduce significantly the increase in the number of people becoming infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (H.1.V.), the cause of A.1.D.5., in New Zealand,” she said.

“The main message is for people to limit their sexual partners, and to use condoms as a matter of habit. “The other aim is to develop social support for people who become H.I.V. positive, or develop the full A.I.D.S. condition.” As part of the build-up to the week, new resource material would be sent to health professionals and teachers, said Dr Poutasi. “Pharmacists will take a major role in providing material to the public,

and A.I.D.S. information for the workplace has already been developed by the State Services Commission and the Public Service Association.” ’ A new television advertisement would be screened from September 14, and during the awareness week there would be a number of special television and radio programmes. The department was sponsoring the visit of Ita Buttrose, Australian media personality and chairman of the Australian National A.I.D.S. Advisory Committee, said Dr Poutasi.

Ms Buttrose will meet several groups in New Zealand including the Interdepartmental Officials’ Committee.on A.1.D.5., representatives of a number of relevant groups in Auckland, and selected college students at the Beehive. Dr Poutasi said that during the .week people would be encouraged to take part in community activities planned by health professionals and voluntary agencies. These would Include public seminars, displays, concerts, church services and social events.