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New Media Conversation on AIDS.gov - Turning Compassion into Action for National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Today is National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Exit Disclaimer (NAPIHAAD). This year's theme is “After a quarter century of HIV, compassion isn't enough—Take action now!” I spoke with David Stupplebeen of the Banyan Tree Project Exit Disclaimer (“BTP” - the partnership that plans and implements the day) about what you can do to turn compassion into action for NAPIHAAD and beyond.

David told me that BTP is continuing to use new media to communicate their NAPIHAAD messages. The big news this year is that BTP did a video Exit Disclaimer with Dr. Sanjay Gupta Exit Disclaimer which talks about stigma in the Asian and Pacific Islander (A&PI) community.

David shared several key ways you can help turn compassion into action such as getting tested for HIV, getting information from your doctor or service providers about HIV, talking to your friends, family and community about HIV, and volunteering to make a difference in the lives of those living with HIV and AIDS. You can also help get the word out about NAPIHAAD:

  • Put a button or public service announcement on your homepage: BTP has a variety of web badges and banners that you can put on your website. You can also embed the PSAs Exit Disclaimer from YouTube on your homepage.
  • Learn more about HIV in the Aπ community: check out the CDC's fact sheet for information on the increasing rates of HIV and AIDS among the Aπ community.
  • Attend an event: There are events happening nationwide. To find the one closest to you, please visit BTP's events page Exit Disclaimer.
  • Tweet about NAPIHAAD events and information: If you are on Twitter Exit Disclaimer, BTP encourages you to follow them Exit Disclaimer and use “#may19” Exit Disclaimer in your tweets about NAPIHAAD so everyone can follow the conversation.
  • Become a fan or friend of BTP: on MySpace Exit Disclaimer and Facebook Exit Disclaimer!

David and I talked about where he sees BTP's new media efforts going next. He told me he hopes to get BTP on Flickr so that community members can share photos from NAPIHAAD and other HIV awareness events.

BTP is also using new media tools to cross-promote other National HIV/AIDS Awareness Days. BTP posted a blog entry to their MySpace and Facebook pages about HIV Vaccine Awareness Day, and plans to do the same for Caribbean American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day Exit Disclaimer on June 8 and National HIV Testing Day Exit Disclaimer on June 27.

BTP clearly values using all available communication tools to reach the A&PI community, and others, with HIV information. I left my conversation with David asking myself: Learning from this observance of NAPIHAAD, how might we all continue to communicate in new ways about HIV Awareness Days? What do you think?