April 16, 2008 Vol. 14. No. 12

In This Issue:

1. Take Action—Call Your Senator TODAY to Pass Sex Ed on the Senate Floor
2. Minnesota Update: HIV Incidence Rises in Minnesota
3. Announcement: Global Health Conference at the University of Minnesota on April 26
4. Announcement: Town Hall Meeting With Congresswoman Betty McCollum on Global HIV on April 28
   
   

Take Action—Call Your Senator TODAY to Pass Sex Ed on the Senate Floor

You called your State Representative last week now call your State Senator and say,

“Hi Senator _________, my name is ____________ and I am your constituent.  I am counting on you to support responsible sex ed on the Senate Floor.  Vote to send this important legislation to the Governor.”

Click Here to Find Out Who Your State Senator is.

Background:

The Minnesota AIDS Project, in partnership with the Coalition for Responsible Sex Ed, is working hard to keep responsible sex ed legislation moving forward.  We support this legislation because we know that responsible sex ed programs can help to prevent HIV infection.  We’re seeing great progress on the bill this session, and it’s because your messages have made an impact on legislators!  Even if you’ve already contacted your legislators about responsible sex ed, we know timing is everything, and they need to hear from you by phone TODAY.  The responsible sex ed bill is scheduled to be heard on the Senate Floor today. 

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Minnesota Update: HIV Incidence Rises in Minnesota

The Minnesota AIDS Project (MAP) Emphasizes Need for Prevention Education
The Minnesota Department of Health recently released the 2007 HIV surveillance data for the state. The Minnesota AIDS Project noted specific areas of concern including:

• A total of 325 new cases of HIV were reported in Minnesota. This continues a slow, steady increase of newly reported HIV infections. This level of newly reported cases within one year has not been seen since the 1990’s. \
• Nearly 6,000 people are known to be living with HIV disease in Minnesota with an estimated 2,500 more unaware that they are infected.
• Minority communities continue to be disproportionately affected by HIV.

In response to these figures, Lorraine Teel, executive director of MAP, noted that "HIV is a 100 percent preventable disease but, to achieve that goal, every Minnesotan needs, and deserves, accurate information about HIV prevention to reduce their risk surrounding HIV. We need to get back to basics."

Read the full release for more details.

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Announcement: Global Health Conference at the University of Minnesota on April 26

Americans for Informed Democracy (AID), with support from the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), will be hosting a conference for new and upcoming advocates on April 26 entitled “Mobilizing and Engaging Communities for Global Health.” The conference will cover issues such as global HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, sexual and reproductive health, and access to essential medicines and will include advocacy and skills-building trainings. Registration is free and open to the public. For more information and to register for this conference, please click here. We encourage you to spread the word to your networks!

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Announcement: Attend a Town Hall Meeting With Congresswoman Betty McCollum on Global HIV

It’s Not Over: Innovative Approaches to the Global AIDS Epidemic
A Town Meeting with Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Monday, April 28, 2008
12:00 -1:30 p.m.
Mayo Memorial Auditorium
UMN School of Medicine (East Bank)

RSVP appreciated: call (612) 373-AIDS or email Carolyn at bram0058@umn.edu
For more info: www.physiciansforhumanrights.org/townhall

Lunch will be served. Parking validation available (with UMN ticket). This event is FREE and open to the public.

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Visit the HIV Action Network archive to see what you missed.

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For more information about what's of interest to you at the Minnesota State Capitol, visit the Web sites of our allies at OutFront Minnesota and Coalition for Responsible Sex Education .

The HIV Action Network email is published by the Minnesota AIDS Project every week while the Minnesota Legislature is in session, and bi-monthly during the rest of the year. It isavailable through the MAP web site mnaidsproject.org and through email list service. If you wish to receive the HIV Action Network email, visit our Join the HIV Action Network page, or contact MAP Public Policy by phone or email.

MAP Public Policy
Minnesota AIDS Project
1400 Park Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55404

612-373-2437
1-800-248-2437

public.policy@mnaidsproject.org

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Last Updated: Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Questions about our Web site? Email webmaster@mnaidsproject.org

Content Notice: This site contains HIV prevention messages that may not be appropriate for all audiences. Since HIV infection is spread primarily though sexual practices or by sharing needles, prevention messages and programs may address these topics. If you are not seeking such information or materials, please exit this Web site.