HIV/AIDS News Roundup and I am in the press!
NYC Health Dept debuts HIV awareness subway ad NYC’s Top HIV Official Ducks Forum on Graphic AIDS Campaign MoMA and AA Bronson Present “Queer Cinema: Today and Yesterday” Project Masiluleke harnesses the mobile phone as a high-impact, low-cost tool in the fight againstHIV/AIDS and TB. Nearly 100% of South Africans have access to a mobile device and the project touches virtually every one of them. Conservative estimates indicate Project Masiluleke has the potential to mobilize hundreds of thousands to get tested. In other news, I was quoted on behalf of my... Read The Rest →
Thesis Revision
In the past few weeks, I have spoken to folks who work in HIV prevention/awareness and social/mobile media about my thesis project. My fears were confirmed in that this is all very new, people are excited about it but it is highly difficult to measure/evaluate the impact of such programs. I am questioning if my scope is too narrow, for example, focusing on New York City LGBTQI youth. I want to take a step back and broaden the scope because I believe the project has more potential for success and... Read The Rest →
Midterm Proposal
For my midterm project, I will design the mobile interface for my thesis project. I will work on the wireframe in the interim and start building out the design for the midterm. The final project will be the fully functional app. My thesis is tentatively titled Project Y.E.S. Project Y.E.S. (Youth, Empowerment & Sexuality) is a mobile web app HIV education tool targeting New York City youth.. Through education and awareness, Project Y.E.S. aims to increase knowledge, increase HIV testing, and decrease HIV related stigma. Share → Tweet
Cool HIV Prevention/Awareness Projects
Why Stand The ʻChoose to Stand Up” campaign was developed by African Services Committee in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. African Services Committee has worked for over 20 years providing HIV testing, support and access to treatment for immigrant New Yorkers. And, while effective treatments have dramatically changed the fight against AIDS, stigma and discrimination against HIV+ people remain nearly as strong as ever. Cable Positive’s Youth AIDS Media Institute (YAMI) University (project has ended) Cable Positive’s Youth AIDS Media Institute University (YAMI-U)... Read The Rest →
That Time Veda Almost Got Jumped
No fancy sound effects here, this is a parred down version of a story Veda told me about how she was almost recently jumped. That Time Veda Almost Got Jumped Share → Tweet
HIV/AIDS News Roundup
Health Department unveiling free iPhone application that allows New Yorkers to find free condoms “We are trying to reach everyone having sex,” said Monica Sweeney, the agency’s point person for HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control. “The younger generation uses their iPhone and we want to make it convenient for them to access condoms.” Cool condoms for safe sex Collective disapproval, adverse legislation and service norms are among the main causes hampering condom access for sexually active adolescents. Gender relationships, sexual culture and sex education in the Caribbean do not sufficiently support preventive... Read The Rest →
Sam: A Law and Order SVU Fan Fiction
On a blistery cold winter night, Detective Olivia Benson sat bleary eyed over musty manila folders on her cold desk. Detective Munch sauntered in. “We just caught another case. Get ready for another long night.” The other detectives all sighed. Another night away from family, from loved ones, from sleep. But the special victims served here in the sixteenth precinct took priority and with good reason. Detective Stabler took a seat on the edge of his desk, his hands clasped in his lap, asking “So what are we looking at... Read The Rest →
Thesis Statement Draft v2
Thesis Proposal Title Project Y.E.S. : A Mobile/Social Media HIV Intervention (TBD) Thesis Statement Project Y.E.S. (Youth, Empowerment & Sexuality) incorporates both mobile technology and social media as part of an HIV intervention targeting New York City youth. Personal Statement I am interested in the intersections of sexuality, public health, and social justice. I believe mobile technology and social media can be integrated both into existing interventions as well as stand alone interventions to increase knowledge of safer sex, HIV/AIDS prevention, and options for those who are HIV positive. I... Read The Rest →
Comprehensive Sex Ed Not Mandatory in NY State
UNBELIEVABLE! Check out this article from New York Civil Liberties Union: Comprehensive sexuality education is not a part of the required curriculum in New York State. City schools are not required to provide sexuality education despite a clear need for it: New York City has the highest rates of HIV and AIDS infection in the United States. According to 2005 Youth Risk Behavior Survey data, 41 percent of New York City youth reported becoming sexually active by 9th grade and 58 percent by 12th grade. Share → Tweet
Teens and Internet Usage Statistics
Some really interesting teen internet, social media, and mobile technology statistics are available via Pew Internet: Teens and Social Media Content creation by teenagers continues to grow, with 64% of online teenagers ages 12 to 17 engaging in at least one type of content creation, up from 57% of online teens in 2004. Girls continue to dominate most elements of content creation. Some 35% of all teen girls blog, compared with 20% of online boys, and 54% of wired girls post photos online compared with 40% of online boys. Boys,... Read The Rest →