The documentary is coming! A scenery shot in Liberia.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Water Water Nowhere
Hi everyone, hopefully we can take a moment to reflect on perhaps one of the most essential things to life: water. You can view a list of some interesting facts about water such as how much of it is in the human body. World Water Day was March 22nd! But it's a year round effort to impact the global water crisis. There is some information available about the extent of the issues we face. These include inadequate sanitation, toxin contamination, decreasing access globally, the amount of water consumed for personal to agricultural practices and what this could all mean for the environment. Included in this grim perspective is the role water could play in instigating conflict. Ban Ki-Moon, UN Secretary General issued a statement on World Water Day and ended on this note:
On World Water Day, I urge governments to recognize the urban water crisis for what it is - a crisis of governance, weak policies and poor management, rather than one of scarcity. Let us also pledge to reverse the alarming decline in pro poor investment in water and sanitation. And let us reaffirm our commitment to ending the plight of the more than 800 million people who, in a world of plenty, still do not have the safe drinking water or sanitation they need for a life in dignity and good health. If you would like to learn more about the water situation in Liberia, from loss of water security to the health impact, there is an informational video.
But there's something each of us can do. From being conscious about how much water we use during personal activities to promoting and supporting policies that encourage resuse of water and effective conservation strategies. Here are some tips on how you can use water wisely.
Water.org has some more information on organizations that work primarily on water sanitation and security so please visit their site for more resources.
Also, there is a poll available about your personal water use.
Thank you!
Friday, March 4, 2011
100th Anniversary of International Women's Day
Last time we acknowledged International Women's Day (Celebrating Women) by outlining the history of the day and how it was celebrated throughout the world. This March 8th is just around the corner!
Watch how it is celebrated in Russia with the giving of flowers and read about the history of the day from the early 1900s:
International Women's Day History in Russia
Watch how it is celebrated in Russia with the giving of flowers and read about the history of the day from the early 1900s:
International Women's Day History in Russia
View Women's Art (a chosen piece seen above titled "Who are you?")
Themes for each year can be chosen on the country to individual level as there is no international theme but the UN has posted some information about how we can recognize the day and below are some thoughts for this year:
Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women
Themes for each year can be chosen on the country to individual level as there is no international theme but the UN has posted some information about how we can recognize the day and below are some thoughts for this year:
Equal access to education, training and science and technology: Pathway to decent work for women
What is your individual theme for this day? You can email International Women's Day and tell them!! Or celebrate with others by searching for events in the US!
On the subject of the UN and Women the two ideas were merged and manifested in the creation of the newest United Nations agency, UN Women. Created in July 2010 the UN entity writes its mission and goals on its website:
It will be a dynamic and strong champion for women and girls, providing them with a powerful voice at the global, regional and local levels.
Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, UN Women, among other issues, works for the:
•elimination of discrimination against women and girls;
•empowerment of women; and
•achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
I hope we can all take a moment to reflect on how women have played positive roles in our lives. Perhaps we can recognize the struggles women endure and acts of strength they demonstrate. We can stand in solidarity with women around the world to acknowledge the elements of our society that allow injustices such as sex trafficking, maternal mortality, financial repression, low literacy, gender based violence, discrimination, elimination of essential funding for health service delivery and marginalization to continue without accountability.
Grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the UN Charter, UN Women, among other issues, works for the:
•elimination of discrimination against women and girls;
•empowerment of women; and
•achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security.
I hope we can all take a moment to reflect on how women have played positive roles in our lives. Perhaps we can recognize the struggles women endure and acts of strength they demonstrate. We can stand in solidarity with women around the world to acknowledge the elements of our society that allow injustices such as sex trafficking, maternal mortality, financial repression, low literacy, gender based violence, discrimination, elimination of essential funding for health service delivery and marginalization to continue without accountability.
For more information about efforts in Liberia such as the the Economic Empowerment of Adolescent Girls and Young Women Program which partners with the Clinton Global Initiative, World Bank, Nike Foundation and Government of Denmark to provide opportunities for small businesses and training.
Please feel free to engage in the dialogue about women and International Women's Day. If you have any thoughts, topics, information, books on the subject, or links you would like to share please do so!!
Please take a minute to participate in the poll about UN Women and pressing issues facing women and girls today.
Please take a minute to participate in the poll about UN Women and pressing issues facing women and girls today.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
World AIDS Day and More
December 1st is World AIDS Day, a commemorative day that began December 1st 1988. The theme this year is “Universal Access and Human Rights”. From the UNAIDS website, here is some information about the epidemic:
“It’s clear that the HIV epidemic the world faces today is not the same as when it peaked in 1996. The number of people living with HIV globally is now at 33.4 million and although 2.7 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2008, good news is that this is a decrease by 17% over the last eight years.”
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2009/20091124_outlook_2010.asp
Lone Star Health is hoping to continue to provide current information about the epidemic: vaccine trials (recently Thailand); new research about drug targets and the physiology of elite controllers; drug company commitments to affordable drugs; international financial aid; the status of the epidemic in specific countries; individual editorials about the causes behind the progressing pandemic and many more areas relating to this globally devastating situation. There are also news stories about issues in Liberia such as sanitation problems, teen pregnancy and malnourished children crisis and the nationwide yellow fever vaccine initiative. We are also interested in promoting personal protection, therefore, we encourage everyone to take the time to consider their own practices and get tested to know their status.
In this season of Thanksgiving and reflection, there have been so many reports about infant mortality, and the increasing rate of women’s deaths post pregnancy. Women around the world are becoming the forefront of news. Here in the US there is debate over guidelines for when women should get routine breast exams amongst other tests. However, at least here, women have access to health care management. In developing countries, the lack of healthcare personnel, resources, and basic concern leaves women in a dismal state. In their book, “Half the Sky” Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn utilize the term “gendercide” to communicate the systematic repression and neglect of women worldwide. This can begin in infancy, continue to sex trafficking, honor killings and rapes, be manifested in lower wages, unwanted marriages or pregnancies leading to fistulas or death, be perpetuated by fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, mothers, mother-in-laws, neighbors, or international criminal operations, and can cause a plethora of devastating effects. This is not a phenomenon that is restricted to one kind of person, region, religion, culture or society but is perpetuated globally. The mistreatment of women can be subtle or horrendous. In addition, the reasons behind gendercide are innumerable. From socio-economics to lack of education. The authors make note that the struggle for women’s rights is the greatest moral challenge of this century. The book takes the opportunity to outline these societal ills but also highlights the progression of women. This is seen through the use of microfinancing opportunities to start businesses and become financially independent, the role of international aid agencies that promote female education and empowerment or the sheer will and determination of oppressed women to prevent other women from becoming victims also.
There are numerous agencies around for any and everyone to become involved in. Locally, nationally, and internationally. There is a call for all people of any gender or nationality to learn more about the struggles women face, which are not simply female injustices, but human injustices. Both men and women are part of the problem and both can be part of the solution. This book and the reality it reflects is shocking, scary, and sad. But equally or more importantly so, it is uplifting, inspiring, motivational and prophetic. The authors don’t claim addressing the plight of women will solve all the world’s problems, but what it will help to mend in society is remarkable. Better education for girls can reduce unwanted pregnancies, abortions and/or children; better educated girls can help improve the health and economic outcomes of a country; more women in the workplace in most instances equates to more productivity and return. The movement for gender equality is a combination of motivations for rights and social justice. There are numerous moral, economical, ethical, and downright simply sensible reasons why women should experience the same opportunities and autonomy, have the same access to resources and education, and not suffer more severe punishments and assaults than men. Now is the time to choose one of those reasons and fight for equality because of it.
“It’s clear that the HIV epidemic the world faces today is not the same as when it peaked in 1996. The number of people living with HIV globally is now at 33.4 million and although 2.7 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2008, good news is that this is a decrease by 17% over the last eight years.”
http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2009/20091124_outlook_2010.asp
Lone Star Health is hoping to continue to provide current information about the epidemic: vaccine trials (recently Thailand); new research about drug targets and the physiology of elite controllers; drug company commitments to affordable drugs; international financial aid; the status of the epidemic in specific countries; individual editorials about the causes behind the progressing pandemic and many more areas relating to this globally devastating situation. There are also news stories about issues in Liberia such as sanitation problems, teen pregnancy and malnourished children crisis and the nationwide yellow fever vaccine initiative. We are also interested in promoting personal protection, therefore, we encourage everyone to take the time to consider their own practices and get tested to know their status.
In this season of Thanksgiving and reflection, there have been so many reports about infant mortality, and the increasing rate of women’s deaths post pregnancy. Women around the world are becoming the forefront of news. Here in the US there is debate over guidelines for when women should get routine breast exams amongst other tests. However, at least here, women have access to health care management. In developing countries, the lack of healthcare personnel, resources, and basic concern leaves women in a dismal state. In their book, “Half the Sky” Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn utilize the term “gendercide” to communicate the systematic repression and neglect of women worldwide. This can begin in infancy, continue to sex trafficking, honor killings and rapes, be manifested in lower wages, unwanted marriages or pregnancies leading to fistulas or death, be perpetuated by fathers, brothers, sons, husbands, mothers, mother-in-laws, neighbors, or international criminal operations, and can cause a plethora of devastating effects. This is not a phenomenon that is restricted to one kind of person, region, religion, culture or society but is perpetuated globally. The mistreatment of women can be subtle or horrendous. In addition, the reasons behind gendercide are innumerable. From socio-economics to lack of education. The authors make note that the struggle for women’s rights is the greatest moral challenge of this century. The book takes the opportunity to outline these societal ills but also highlights the progression of women. This is seen through the use of microfinancing opportunities to start businesses and become financially independent, the role of international aid agencies that promote female education and empowerment or the sheer will and determination of oppressed women to prevent other women from becoming victims also.
There are numerous agencies around for any and everyone to become involved in. Locally, nationally, and internationally. There is a call for all people of any gender or nationality to learn more about the struggles women face, which are not simply female injustices, but human injustices. Both men and women are part of the problem and both can be part of the solution. This book and the reality it reflects is shocking, scary, and sad. But equally or more importantly so, it is uplifting, inspiring, motivational and prophetic. The authors don’t claim addressing the plight of women will solve all the world’s problems, but what it will help to mend in society is remarkable. Better education for girls can reduce unwanted pregnancies, abortions and/or children; better educated girls can help improve the health and economic outcomes of a country; more women in the workplace in most instances equates to more productivity and return. The movement for gender equality is a combination of motivations for rights and social justice. There are numerous moral, economical, ethical, and downright simply sensible reasons why women should experience the same opportunities and autonomy, have the same access to resources and education, and not suffer more severe punishments and assaults than men. Now is the time to choose one of those reasons and fight for equality because of it.
World AIDS Day Events Calendar
http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Key-events/World-AIDS-Day/Events-Calendar/WAD-2009-Events-Calendar
World AIDS Day Information:
http://www.avert.org/world-aids-day.htm
“Half the Sky”
http://www.halftheskymovement.org/
http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Key-events/World-AIDS-Day/Events-Calendar/WAD-2009-Events-Calendar
World AIDS Day Information:
http://www.avert.org/world-aids-day.htm
“Half the Sky”
http://www.halftheskymovement.org/
Thursday, June 25, 2009
National HIV Testing Day June 27th
Hello everyone! This Saturday, June 27th is National HIV Testing Day.
Here is a link for more information about all things related to testing day:
http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/days/testing/index.html
Below is a link to get more information about testing statistics and recommendations:
http://www.kff.org/hivaids/6094.cfm
Promoting testing is an important part of containing the HIV epidemic and in this way each person can do there part. The government is urging everyone to get tested and to know their status.
Also, for more information about the HIV/AIDS epidemic and progress made in treatment efforts, please visit the website for updated news stories.
Thank you!!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Stand Strong Awareness and Activism Event
Hi everyone! April is STD Awareness Month. We would like to urge everyone to know their status and get tested. There are various free testing sites and you can find more information on our website or online.
Above are pictures from the March 28th Stand Strong Event. The event consisted of 5 speakers, refreshments, prizes, free condoms and brochures and we sold LSH calendars and magnets to raise funds for MERCI's Hydro Clinic in Monrovia Liberia. Many thanks to the speakers, organizers, and advertisers. Also, there is much gratitude to everyone who attended and supported us and the cause! We are very appreciative of everyone!
Don't forget to register for AIDS Walk Boston, June 7th. You can participating by walking with the team and helping to fundraise for AIDS Action Committee of MA. The team is Roots to Branches.
http://www.aac.org/site/TR/Events/AWB08?pg=team&fr_id=1080&team_id=17910
http://www.aac.org/site/TR?px=1473730&pg=personal&fr_id=1080
http://www.aac.org/site/TR?px=1473730&pg=personal&fr_id=1080
Please continue to check in for more information on upcoming events!
Thank you!
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
World TB Day
Hello everyone, thank you for visiting the blog. Today is World TB Day:
This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause TB.
This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of M. tuberculosis, the bacteria that cause TB.
World TB Day provides an opportunity to communicate TB-related problems and solutions and to support worldwide TB-control efforts. CDC and our partners are committed to eliminating TB in the United States.
In the United States, the theme for World TB Day 2009 is “Partnerships for TB Elimination.”
http://www.cdc.gov/TB/WorldTBDay/default.htm
Globally there are appx 14 million people with tuberculosis and in 2007 there were 9 million new cases. You can visit http://www.globalhealthfacts.org/ for more epidemic statistics.
Lone Star Health is holding it's first LAPA event in Boston on
Saturday March 28th at 2pm in 220 BK Hall at Northeastern University.
It will be a panel style discussion about HIV/AIDS and how we can all get involved in tackling this global epidemic. Please join us to learn more and help support the Hydro Clinic in Monrovia!
Thank you!
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