Meetings!...AIDS

Hello all,

So to go along with the new year and an executive seminar I attended today with my department, MEETINGS seem so basic, but if you really think about it they can fail miserably and I think we've all been to a meeting before where it didn't go well or we thought it could have gone better.

Mr. Staley, Sr. Associate Director UIHC presented on the topic and gave his advice as well as took advice from those attending. There were definitely come comical moments along with some serious discussion on how to effectively have a meeting or simply decide when not to have one. For example, if there needs to be a vote or dissemination of information, most likely than not, this can be done electronically, either through email or another form of electronic communication.

Either way, I learn a few new things and took-away a lot of great information and connected again with Mr. Staley, who I was introduced to while working on the Public Health Emergency Management plans for the University of Iowa with State Hygienic Laboratory director, Chris Atchison.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

Ryan

PS - World AIDS day!

I was unable to attend a lot of the events going on yesterday for World AIDS day, but wanted to state my stance that this is an increasing issue within the United States, even though I feel like a lot of the attention tends to be international:

AIDS in America

I would bring your attention to the number of new cases and would encourage you to look at this movie that I watched in my Media and Health class:

“Out of control: AIDS in Black America” A documentary that aired on ABC’s Primetime show on Aug. 24, 2006. To date, the only TV hour devoted to the topic.

"Out of control: AIDS in Black America"

World AIDS Day

If you already didn't know, it is World AIDS day, which is a huge public health mission.

HISTORY

World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the Wold Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Bunn and Netter took their idea to Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of the Global Programme on AIDS (now known as UNAIDS). Dr. Mann liked the concept, approved it, and agreed with the recommendation that the first observance of World AIDS Day should be 1 December, 1988.

UNITED STATES

World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. It is common to hold memorials to honor persons who have died from HIV/AIDS on this day. Government and health officials also observe the event, often with speeches or forums on the AIDS topics. Since 1995, the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_AIDS_Day)

WORLD AIDS CAMPAIGN

In addition the World AIDS Campaign's mission on this day and everyday is to ensure that governments and policy makers meet the HIV targets they set, the commitments they made, and mobilize the necessary resources for a world where people do not die of AIDS and opportunistic infections like TB. At the heart of the global commitment is the publicly stated ambition of Universal Access by 2010 - enabling everyone to have non-discriminatory and non-judgemental access to adequate HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. (http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/WAC2)

IOWA

On Iowa's campus there is blood drive going on to recognize World AIDS day and to remember that those that are not infected by a disease and can give blood, should.

World AIDS Day Blood Drive

Sponsored by the World Health Initiative

Wednesday, December 1st

11AM - 3PM in the Lucas-Dodge Room at the IMU or all week at the DeGowin Blood Center (right near the CPH hallway!)

Make an appointment at: http://www.givesblood.org/give/get_started.php?orgID=136

or Walk-ins are welcome at both locations!

I hope you have learned a little about World AIDS Day and the global pull to combat it. The topic of AIDS is quite personal to me because of my Uncle Don who died of AIDS and my boyfriend Cody who works for the local county health department helping improve access to HIV testing and outreach.

Ryan