Lone Star Health

It's Coming!

2011-10-20T19:45:00.000-07:00

The documentary is coming! A scenery shot in Liberia.

Water Water Nowhere

2011-03-31T11:17:00.000-07:00

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!

100th Anniversary of International Women's Day

2011-03-04T20:59:00.000-08:00

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

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

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.

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.

Finally, a video by girleffect.org

Thank you, happy celebrating!!

World AIDS Day and More

2009-11-28T12:50:00.001-08:00

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.

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/

National HIV Testing Day June 27th

2009-06-25T08:49:00.001-07:00

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!!

Stand Strong Awareness and Activism Event

2009-04-18T08:26:00.000-07:00

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

Please continue to check in for more information on upcoming events!

Thank you!

World TB Day

2009-03-24T13:18:00.000-07:00

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.

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!

Celebrating Women

2009-03-11T18:59:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone! Sunday March 8th was International Women's Day. This year's theme is "Women and men united to end violence against women and girls". The pictures above show an IWD rally, women in Guinea, and an IWD celebration in Iran. A brief background:

On 19 September 1893 New Zealand became the first country in the world to give women the right to vote.
In 1910 a second International Conference of Working Women was held in Copenhagen. A woman named Clara Zetkin (Leader of the 'Women's Office' for the Social Democratic Party in Germany) tabled the idea of an International Women's Day.
The very first International Women's Day was launched the following year by Clara Zetkin on 19 March (not 8 March). The date was chosen because on 19 March in the year of the 1848 revolution, the Prussian king recognized for the first time the strength of the armed people and gave way before the threat of a proletarian uprising. Among the many promise he made, which he later failed to keep, was the introduction of votes for women.

Success of the first International Women's Day in 1911 exceeded all expectation.
Meetings were organized everywhere in small towns and even the villages halls were packed so full that male workers were asked to give up their places for women.
Men stayed at home with their children for a change, and their wives, the captive housewives, went to meetings.

For more information on IWD, please visit http://www.internationalwomensday.com/

The acknowledgement and celebration of women surpasses one day. The role of women in society can not be underestimated. There is also of much concern how women are affected by infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS. More information about this is available from the UN Commission on the status of women. http://www.un.org/womenwatch/daw/csw/53sess.htm where equality of responsibility and gender perspectives are discussed in relation to HIV/AIDS.

There is also a free event sponsored by Multicultural AIDS Coalition this Saturday March 14th at 11am-6pm focusing on African girls and women and all are welcomed to come and celebrate with food, music, and film. The flier is shown above.

Thank you all! We hope to celebrate both women and men all year long!

A New Year, Reflections on 2008

2009-01-27T19:01:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone, and Happy New Year! Lone Star Health is wishing all of you a prosperous and healthy 2009!

As 2008 came to a close and 2009 has been progressing, there has been alot happening in the world of Health and in particualr, infectious diseases. This post is dedicated to summarizing some of the developments that have transpired so far.

POZ magazine organized a list of their most talked about stories of 2008:
http://www.poz.com/articles/most_talked_about_401_15836.shtml

and a look back on treatment in 2008:
http://www.poz.com/articles/2008_treatment_review_401_15852.shtml

Access to Life's photo diary of people in 9 countries beginning ART
http://www.theglobalfund.org/en/accesstolife/#

In organizational news:
US government expands committment to PEPFAR http://www.pepfar.gov/about/index.htm
UNAIDS welcomes its new Executive Director, Michel Sidibe http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2009/20090123_EXD_SG.asp

International Health News:
Health crisis in Zimbabwe http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/library/report-2009-01-13.html
Iranian Doctors, HIV/AIDS activists convicted in conspiracy http://physiciansforhumanrights.org/library/news-2009-1-20.html
Female genital mutilation in Kenya and HIV/AIDS http://www.plusnews.org/report.aspx?ReportID=82590

HIV/AIDs in Liberia:
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=82519

People to remember:
Martin Delaney, founder of Project Inform http://www.projectinform.org/martindelaney.shtml

If you would like to see any other news stories highlighted, please leave a comment or send a message.

Thank you all for your support!

World AIDS Day Dec 1, 2008

2008-11-27T19:38:00.000-08:00

Hi everyone, thank you for visiting the site. The last post was dedicated to showcasing the work done by many in our community to promote and encourage young girls to achieve and excel through education and provisions of basic needs. Many of you took the poll which addressed what you thought are some of the biggest issues facing young girls today and the results showed that many of the challenges that young girls must confront include scarce educational opportunities, early pregnancy and self-esteem issues and systematic inferiority which prevents girls from believing in and reaching their highest potential.

As the holiday season is in full effect, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the essence of our lives and the lives that encompass our global community. The poll that complements this post questions what you are grateful for. With uncertain times there is always a greater need to have a cohesive front to tackle the predicted and unforseen hurdles. There are many organizations, people, and community groups that strive to participate in active social change.

Recently, the 4REAL project aired their 30 min documentary about Kimmie Weeks and his work in Liberia. "4REAL is a project that began as a documentary television series and has expanded to include an online global community (4REAL.com), educational materials (4REAL School), the 4REAL Foundation and special events. The television show, 4REAL, is a series of half-hour episodes hosted by Sol Guy that takes celebrity guests on adventures around the world to connect with young leaders who, under extreme circumstances, are effecting real change on some of the most pressing issues of our time. " http://www.4real.com/

To see some clips of the show please visit:

http://www.4real.com/tv/details.asp?pageid=13

To learn more about Kimmie Weeks and MIA who traveled to Liberia as the celebrity guest, please visit:

http://www.4real.com/profile.asp?p=kimmie and http://www.4real.com/profile.asp?p=mia

For a list of some organizations with advocacy/charitable/humanitarian/philanthropic goals that might interest you, please take a view of the list of partners from the ONE organization (campaigning and working to end poverty):

http://www.one.org/partners/

To see some highlighted individuals who are contributing to humanity around the world, you can check out CNN's Heroes:

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2008/cnn.heroes/

CNN's resources on how you can be involved and "Impact Your World":

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/impact/heroes.html

Monday Dec 1st is World AIDS Day

"Together with its partners, the World AIDS Campaign set this year’s theme for World AIDS Day as “Lead – Empower – Deliver”, building on last year’s theme of “Take the Lead”. Designating leadership as the World AIDS Day theme for 2007 – 2008 provides an opportunity to highlight both the political leadership needed to fulfill commitments that have been made in the response to AIDS – particularly the promise of universal access to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support by 2010 – and celebrating the leadership that has been witnessed at all levels of society.
As in previous years, the World AIDS Campaign has produced a wide variety of campaign materials to be used by individuals and organizations that want to campaign on World AIDS Day and host commemorative events. These materials are available on the World AIDS Campaign web site at www.worldaidscampaign.org. The web site also has a calendar of events where organizations are encouraged to list information on their planned activities for World AIDS Day.
The concept of a World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention. Since then, every year UN agencies, governments and all sectors of civil society worldwide join together to campaign around specific themes related to AIDS. "http://www.unaids.org/en/KnowledgeCentre/Resources/FeatureStories/archive/2008/20081027_WAD_2008.asp

Please take a moment to reflect on the importance of this day, how far we've come and how much further we have to go. You can visit the LAPA website http://www.lonestarhealth.org/ to get more information on the current state of the epidemic.

To see what is going on around the world on World AIDS Day:

http://www.worldaidscampaign.org/en/Key-events/World-AIDS-Day/World-AIDS-Day-2008/WAD-2008-Events-Calendar

The Kaiser Family Foundation announces some programming about HIV/AIDS on and around WAD:

"Menlo Park, CA – For more than ten years, the Kaiser Family Foundation has partnered with leading media in the U.S. and abroad to reach the public with information about HIV/AIDS and related issues and to challenge the stigma surrounding the disease. The Foundation's media partnerships leverage significant communications resources and provide partners with current research and guidance and public health communications expertise, among other assistance. This World AIDS Day (December 1), the Foundation announces several new productions developed with its media partners around the world:

As part of It’s Your (Sex) Life (IYSL), MTV’s ongoing Emmy- and Peabody- Award winning campaign with the Foundation, MTV will dedicate all on air promotions time on the network from November 24 to December 1 to public service ads (PSAs) to promote using protection and getting tested. These spots feature a host of popular musicians including Wyclef Jean, The Bravery, Vampire Weekend, The Gossip!, Kenna, Boys Life Girls, Silversun Pickups, Tyga, Cornel West and others. Throughout the day on December 1st MTV will run on-screen takeovers during programming to direct viewers to IYSL informational resources, including a customized mobile texting service and toll-free hotline that provide information about local testing centers. For more information: http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/.

ARE YOU POSITIVE? (premiers December 1, 7:30 PM ET/PT, BET), this half-hour show, produced with Black Entertainment Television (BET) as part of the network’s ten-year, Emmy Award winning Rap It Up campaign with the Foundation, confronts the stigma surrounding HIV/AIDS in the Black community. The show profiles four young people – two of whom are living with HIV, two who are not – who open up their lives to challenge the stereotypes and misconceptions about who HIV affects. Inspired by http://www.posornot.com/, a viral “game” developed by the Foundation with mtvU, the show reinforces the message that the only way to know one’s status is to get tested. For more information: www.bet.com/areyoupositive and http://www.rapituppresents.com/.

THE DIARY OF KELLY ROWLAND (U.S. premier December 1, 7:00 AM ET/PT, MTV), this hour long documentary chronicles the recent travels of Kelly Rowland, founding member of Destiny’s Child, to South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania and the U.S. to meet with young people affected by HIV/AIDS who are using their experiences to help stem the spread of the disease. The program was produced by MTV International as part of its Staying Alive campaign and will be distributed to all MTV International channels around the world. The Foundation, a longtime partner of the campaign, worked with MTV International to incorporate a segment in the U.S. to bring attention to the continued impact of the disease in this country, especially among African Americans. For more information: http://www.staying-alive.org/.

THE CRISTINA SHOW (December 8, 10:00 PM ET/PT, Univision), the most watched Spanish-language talk show in the world, devotes a special episode to bringing attention to the impact of AIDS on the Latino community. Featured on the show are Latinos both living with HIV/AIDS and their loved ones, many of whom are currently profiled in SOY… (I AM…), a new campaign launched this fall by Univision and the Foundation. By sharing their stories this diverse group of Latinos – which include two teenage sisters, a grandmother and her HIV-positive adult daughter, and a young gay man – challenge stereotypes about HIV/AIDS and reinforce the importance of family support. The Foundation has partnered with Univision since 2001 to reach Latinos with information about HIV/AIDS. For more information: cristina.univision.com and http://www.univision.com/; uniclave: SIDA

Regional media partners of the Global Media AIDS Initiative (http://www.thegmai.org/), a project conceived and run by the Foundation with support by the United Nations to mobilize media around the world in response to HIV/AIDS, are also using the platform of World AIDS Day to announce new programming commitments:

The African Broadcast Media Partnership Against HIV/AIDS (ABMP), a coalition of 59 television and radio broadcasters from 37 countries across Africa, will debut a new series of PSAs under its Imagine an HIV-Free Generation… It Begins with YOU campaign using soccer to promote healthy lifestyles and responsible choices. The new PSAs leverage the upcoming 2010 Soccer World Cup to be held in Africa and will be combined with other special programming and community-level events. For more information: http://www.broadcasthivafrica.org/ and http://www.itbeginswithyou.org/.

The Caribbean Broadcast Media Partnership on HIV/AIDS (CBMP) has produced a special World AIDS Day edition of LIVE UP: The Show, an original magazine program produced as part of it’s regional LIVE UP. Love. Protect. Respect pubic information campaign. Shot on site at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus in Barbados, the episode brings together individuals from across the region to demonstrate the many ways people can LIVE UP. One young Barbadian “Hero” in the LIVE UP campaign interacted with Caribbean students and tested their knowledge of HIV/AIDS. Several organizations, including the National AIDS Commission, the United Nations Development Fund for Women, Care Barbados, the University of the West Indies HIV/AIDS Response Program, among others, participated in the event. The program will be distributed rights-free to the CBMP’s 83 broadcast members across 25 countries to coincide with World AIDS Day. The CBMP is developed in partnership with the Ford Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation. For more information: http://www.cbmphiv.org/ and http://www.iliveup.org/.

The Asia Broadcasting Union in partnership with the Asia-Pacific Media AIDS Initiative is offering rights-free television programs on HIV/AIDS to broadcasters across the region.

There are many ways each of us can get involved with World AIDS Day: from attending events, promoting awareness of the day, viewing the broadcasts listed above and others, to personal missions, everyone can help to create a change.

Thank you all!

Young Girls to Great Women

2008-10-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone and thank you for visiting the blog and supporting the cause! The last post discussed Marvelyn Brown's book and ways in which we all can increase our awareness about HIV/AIDS by testing our knowledge through online quizzes.

Though globally the percentage of women infected with HIV is ~50%, it is documented that there is a higher percentage of women infected with HIV in regional epidemics such as Sub-Saharan Africa, "For the region as a whole, women are disproportionately affected in comparison with men, with especially stark differences between the sexes in HIV prevalence among young people." (UNAIDS 2008 Global Report, 39; figure 2.10 p.42 depicts prevalence rates by gender) There is also evidence that women are less likely to have comprehensive information and knowledge about HIV/AIDS compared to men. With this in mind and a broad goal of improving the status of women outside of healthcare, there are many programs and initiatives aimed at promoting the advancement of young girls and women: providing educational venues, providing small loans to start businesses; or even providing clothing and basic necessities. Recently various articles have discussed what is being done in Liberia to initiate, promote, and maintain these programs:

Girls’ education critical to Liberia’s revival, says Deputy UN Envoy as she commissions new school
Oct 17, 2008
UNMIL Press
http://limany.org/article_2008_10_17_3551.html

Clinton Initiative Announces Partnership for Adolescent Girls in Liberia
Oct 1, 2008
LEM Press
http://limany.org/article_2008_10_1_4754.html

Here in the US, the Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls (http://www.liberiangirls.org/) is sponsoring a book battle to encourage reading and scholarship among young girls here and in Liberia:

Liberian Girls Book Battle

Competition starts October 4, 2008, The Battle is set for April 4, 2009

The Association for the Advancement of Liberian Girls will host an All Girls Book Battle on Saturday, April 4, 2009. The Liberian Girls Book Battle is a voluntary reading incentive program for students, primarily girls, in grades 4-8. The purpose is simply to encourage female students to read good books and have fun while competing with peers. The competitions will begin October 4, 2008. For Registration Form and Complete Rules please contact us via email info@liberiangirls.org Registration Deadline: September 15, 2008.

Ø Get Involve and Make a Donation! Click here...

Ø Know of someone who is making a difference in the Liberian Community? Tell us and will feature them in our Spotlight. info@liberiangirls.org

Though the deadline has passed, you can always email to receive more information about the program and how you can get involved. The organization is also planning to host a fundraiser in Maryland in a couple of weeks.

As a testament to how determination, education, and support can help girls become successful, charitable and empowering women, one can look to the contributions of MacDella Cooper. http://www.macdellacooper.org/about.php
states "My dream is to educate as many Liberian children as MCF can support, so that they can later contribute to the economic redevelopment of the country and to make sure Liberia's history is not repeated. I believe that education is the saving grace of Liberia and Africa as a whole. But to promote education, we must first provide the basic needs -- shelter, food, clothing and security."

Please visit these and numerous other sites for more information on how you can get involved in sponsoring and/or assisting young girls in Liberia and the US. You can also take the poll on this site to share your thoughts on the pressing issues young girls face today. Lone Star Health and LAPA believe in the long-term positive results that stem from educating young people on their options to obtaining a healthy and fruitful life. If you know of any other programs you would like to be highlighted, or would like to personally join the missions to uplift and inspire young girls, please feel free to leave a response or email anntukpah@lonestarhealth.org

Thank you!!

Young, Beautiful, and (HIV) Positive

2008-10-02T20:25:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone, thank you for visiting the blog. The post title refers to a book by Marvelyn Brown which outlines her experiences as a young HIV positive woman. The following are links to learn more about the book and the author based on interviews and reviews of the book:

http://www.blackvoices.com/blogs/2008/08/20/marvelyn-brown-young-beautiful-and-hiv-positive/

http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/2008/08/20/a-young-womans-battle-with-hiv.html

Marvelyn also has websites which you can visit to get more information:
http://marvelynbrown.blogspot.com/
http://www.marvelynbrown.com/

You can read an excerpt from the book:
http://www.amazon.com/Naked-Truth-Young-Beautiful-Positive/dp/0061562394/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1223037558&sr=8-1

One of the goals of LAPA is helping to spread more information about HIV/AIDS and participate in encouraging individual proactive preventitive practices. To gauge how effective information dispersion is, there are questionnaires that address different aspects of reproductive and sexual health before and after a campaign has begun. If you are interested in determining your own background on HIV/AIDS, from statistics to how it is transmitted, prevented and treated, you can visit the following links to take online quizzes, from AVERT.

http://www.avert.org/hiv-aids-quiz.php
http://www.avert.org/aids-expert-quiz.php
http://www.avert.org/statistics-quiz.php

There is also a wealth of information on the site to read more information before or after a quiz. Also, share this information with a friend or family member.

You can also visit the website www.lonestarhealth.org for updated news stories about new treatment options for HIV known as CCR5 inhibitors and new awareness and testing strategies such as those recently voted on in California for routine testing of HIV.

Thank you all for your support!

Hydro Clinic Fundraiser Pictures

2008-09-09T17:05:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. Thank you for viewing the blog! The Hydro Clinic Fundraiser was held on Sunday August 31st at Kendejah and it was a good turnout. There were refreshments, interactive web browsing, information and quizzes. Much thanks to all who came to support the cause and donate! Above are some pictures of the clinic and from the fundraiser. Pictures of the clinic show patients waiting to be seen or waiting for drugs, a lab technician obtaining specimens for tests and using a microscope.

If you are interested, donations are still welcome for the clinic and would be much appreciated! If you would like more information about how you can donate, please email anntukpah@lonestarhealth.com

There has also been an updated poll, please feel free to participate.

Overall, thank you to everyone for their support and encouragement, helping to make the goals of LAPA a realization.

You can also visit the website for recent news stories and updates.

Thank you!!

Documenting HIV/AIDS

2008-08-24T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone. After the advent of cases related to HIV appeared in 1981 (though there is evidence of cases dating back to the 1950s), thousands of books, articles, movies, songs and other media have been made related to the issue. "And the Band Played On" a book written by Randy Shilts in 1987 about "politics, people and the AIDS epidemic" was developed into a film and "Philadelphia" a 1993 film with Tom Hanks (won an Oscar for best actor for the film) and Denzel Washington achieved critical acclaim.

If you are interested in getting more information about HIV/AIDS or the stories of people living with HIV/AIDS which has been documented, below is a short short list of some documentaries and clips.

A 240 minute PBS special "The Age of AIDS." After a quarter century of political denial and social stigma, of stunning scientific breakthroughs, bitter policy battles and inadequate prevention campaigns, HIV/AIDS continues to spread rapidly throughout much of the world, particularly in developing nations. Watch in its entirety online http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/aids/view/

Think HIV: This is Me look at what it's like to be HIV-positive as young people living with the virus pick up a camera and share their experience http://www.mtv.com/overdrive/?id=1538811&vid=102501

10 mini-documentaries on HIV and AIDS - South Asia http://www.unesco-ci.org/cgi-bin/media/page.cgi?g=Detailed%2F12.html;d=1

IRIN/PlusNews's new film, Love, Positively looks at the lives of young adults who have been infected with HIV since birth http://www.plusnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=78926

Pain in My Heart, an unflinching insight into the never ending Aids deaths in Zimbabwe. http://www.youtube.com/tvnews2000

TRAVIS is the story of the fight to save the life of a remarkable young boy living with AIDS. http://www.itvs.org/travis/

If you know of other documentaries and movies not listed or you'd like to share, please leave a comment and if you would like to be in a discussion about the documentaries and movies and Liberian health care, please join us at the Hydro Clinic Fundraiser on Sunday, August 31 8-2am at Kendejah in DC.

http://www.lonestarhealth.org/images/LAPA_Fundraiser_Flyer_20080831.jpg

Thank you!

Hydro Clinic Fundraiser

2008-08-17T07:20:00.000-07:00

Liberian AIDS Prevention and Awareness (LAPA) Program
August 31, 2008
Sponsor A Clinic Fundraiser

1 Doctor
1 Physician assistant
3 Midwives
3 Nurse Aides
2 Cleaners
1 Registrar
___________________________________
1500 patients a month

Please Join Us at Kendejah Restaurant and Lounge, 5828 Georgia Avenue, DC, on Sunday August 31, 2008 8pm-2am to learn more and raise awareness about the health situation in Liberia and provide assistance to our country's own institution; 8pm-10pm: Discussion and information, refreshments and prizes for various activities provided; 10pm-2am: Party for the cause

Information about the Clinic:
MERCI (NGO Medical Emergency & Relief Cooperative International) Hydro Clinic on Sinkor Old Road, Monrovia Liberia
Operated By: MERCI, Fees for Services, and Donations
Commonly treated ailments include malaria, diarrhea, respiratory tract infections, skin diseases and others
Please visit www.lonestarhealth.org "Contact Us" to view the complete information

If you would like more information or to become involved, please email anntukpah@lonestarhealth.org

Thank you!

Welcome!

2008-08-12T20:36:00.001-07:00

Thank you for visiting lonestarhealth's blog. The website, www.lonestarhealth.org is officially launched. The Liberian AIDS Prevention and Awareness Program was initiated thanks to the 21st Century Scholarship from Northeastern University. The specific project aims are outlined under "About the Program" and are in general focused on raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and other medical issues amongst Liberians; promoting prevention strategies; and galvanizing Liberians to be proactive and involved in the rebuilding of the country's health care system.

Currently, the program is working to liaison with existing health care NGOs and international AIDS and health programs. The first event is a fundraiser for Hydro Clinic on Sinkor Old Road in Monrovia which is managed by MERCI (Medical Emergency & Relief Cooperative International). The clinic has 1 doctor, 1 physician assistant, 1 nurse, 3 midwives, 3 nurses aides; 2 cleaners and 1 registrar for its 1500 patients a month. It is lacking adequate medical supplies, equipment and resources and works on DC lighting, and handpump water. The fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday August 31 at Kendejah Restaurant and Lounge on 5828 Georgia Avenue, DC

Since the end of the war in Liberia the health care system has been working to meet the needs of the approximately 3.5 million people in the country. Information on the AIDS epidemic in Liberia is scarce and varied by source and region. For more information about the epidemic, please visit the website's links "About the Program" and "How you can help". The highest calculated prevalence rate is about 5.2% from the Interim Government's analysis, which is 1 in 20 people. Yet, only about 3% of females and 5% of males in Liberia have ever been tested and received the results. As citizens of Liberia and members of a global community each of us is capable of making the change we seek. If you are interested in becoming involved in Liberia's health care reform, please visit the website for more information, leave a comment on a post, or email anntukpah@lonestarhealth.org.

Thank you for a demonstration of your solidarity by visiting the blog. Please feel free to check on updates, polls, news articles, pictures, and more information.

Beyond health care advancements, view more about Liberian's dreams for Liberia:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0B-eDYkjMFs