Learning About and Living With HIV/AIDS

The University of Missouri Extension

Talking With Kids About Tough Issues

The National Pediatric AIDS Network

AIDS/HIV Support Groups has a list of general support hotlines for people living with HIV/AIDS. Contact numbers are provided for organizations at a national and state level.

HealthBoards.com has more than 150 message boards with subjects related to a variety of diseases and health topics. Select a category in the “Message Boards” box and then click “Jump to Board.” To participate in the message boards, you must first register for a free account.

HIV+ Chat has free chat rooms for heterosexuals with HIV/AIDS, transsexuals with HIV/AIDS, HIV-positive parents, and more.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention address HIV issues in the criminal justice system. Learn about topics such as “Drug Use, HIV, and The Criminal Justice System,” “HIV/AIDS Counseling and Testing in the Criminal Justice System,” and “Providing Services to Inmates Living with HIV.” This site is straightforward in its presentation and most of the articles are available in PDF format.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs provides tailored information for HIV/AIDS patients and the public, as well as for health care providers. A specific advantage to this site is the “Daily news updates” section which offers recent news items about HIV/AIDS developments. The gap between some dates does indicate that the updates aren’t exactly daily, but they will be current within a few days.

The Adolescent AIDS Program lists states around the U.S. with HIV testing and counseling centers that have adolescent-friendly services. Read “The Deal,” a teen lifestyle ’zine about love and HIV/AIDS, or look through the “HIV and U” section to get some advice on questions you might have about sex.

MedlinePlus has a lot of information that you can access in multiple ways. To look at a list of topics, just click on the “Health Topics” link at the left of the page. A section on child and teen health is located under demographic groups. Type “HIV” in the search box and you’ll come to a page with several HIV/AIDS-related topics. The titles of the topics are fairly clear, so you should be able to make a reasonable guess as to whether a specific page of information contains the answers or content you are looking for.

TeensHealth is a fun-looking Web site with the serious information you need to know about your health. In addition to information about HIV/AIDS, the site has sections related to subjects such as learning disorders, cancer, and allergies. The articles also have a “date reviewed” note at the bottom, which will let you know how recent the information is. Simply enter HIV in the search box on the homepage to find a list of relevant articles.

TeenGrowth is similar to other “Question and Answer” Web sites out there, but with one particular advantage being the “Crisis Call” option. “Crisis Call” provides you with phone numbers you can call for special needs such as AIDS, abuse, and eating disorders.

Cool Nurse discusses the basics of HIV/AIDS, how you can get the disease, and what you should know about protecting yourself. Sections are available on male and female health, and include a variety of topics in addition to HIV/AIDS.

Sex, Etc. discusses the biological aspects of sexual intercourse and also has information about sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. If you’ve got a specific question about your body, see if the answer has already been posted in the “Girls’ Health” or “Guys’ Health” sections.

The World Health Organization is the health authority for the United Nations. This Web site lists member countries and addresses a variety of health issues. To reach the HIV/AIDS page or to search for other health topics, click on the “Health topics” link on the left side of the page. Read through the “Related Topics” section, which focuses on Immunization and HIV/AIDS, Nutrition and HIV/AIDS, as well as oral health and HIV/AIDS. The “Publications” section breaks down ideas such as advocacy, AIDS policies, and monitoring and evaluation by categories and by topics. For statistical information, the Epidemiological Fact Sheets in the UNAIDS/WHO Global HIV/AIDS Online Database are easier to use than the Data Query option. The “Related Topics,” “Publications,” and statistical information are all accessible from the “HIV infections” page.

UNAIDS was created by 10 United Nations system organizations. The “Regions” tab has in-depth statistical information about specific regions of the world with respect to HIV. The “Issues” section is also a great feature, with HIV-related topics divided into four categories: Prevention, treatment, and care; Affected communities; Research; and The impact of HIV.

The World Bank discusses the cases of HIV/AIDS in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Learn about the economic costs of HIV in these regions, the potential for the virus to spread, and where the World Bank has issued grants in order to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.

AfroAIDSinfo covers several aspects of HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. Choose from an array of topics including education, policy updates, and health and research to learn about HIV/AIDS in southern Africa. If you prefer to customize the look of this page for your own needs, a free registration will enable you to do this. The registration also signs you up for e-newsletters.

The International Crisis Group is dedicated to preventing worldwide conflict. This Web site reviews HIV/AIDS policies in countries such as Myanmar, Uganda, and Russia, as well as the security threats posed by HIV/AIDS. While the site provides a picture of the HIV/AIDS situation in several countries, some of the articles are at least two years old or older.

The Global Network of People Living with HIV/AIDS (GNP+) is the only worldwide network that represents all people with HIV/AIDS and takes an active role in advocating for the rights of people with HIV and AIDS. Members inform governments about weaknesses in HIV/AIDS programs and work to end human rights violations. Make sure to check the library section of this site to review information about donating medicine, international HIV/AIDS agreements, and indicators to consider the intensity of stigma and discrimination.

The Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator briefly explains the U.S. plan to commit to fighting the spread of AIDS around the world. The page does not offer much in terms of AIDS-related content, but refers readers to www.PEPFAR.gov for more information about the U.S. plan.

PEPFAR stands for “President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief.” The site is nothing fancy but does provide a good review of President George W. Bush’s plan to engage countries around the world in combating the spread of HIV/AIDS. The site discusses plans for pediatric AIDS treatment, international partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and HIV/AIDS technology, and also has a list of related Web sites you might find useful.

Save the Children recognizes children as some of the most defenseless victims of AIDS in developing countries. Study both the myths and realities of children and HIV/AIDS, learn about Save the Children’s HIV/AIDS programs, and the global spread of HIV/AIDS.

NAPWA.org is the homepage for the National Association of People with AIDS. This page contains plenty of helpful hints for hosting a National HIV Testing Day event in your home town. Donate to NAPWA, check a calendar of upcoming events, or use a very comprehensive services directory to find the services you are looking for related to HIV/AIDS.

Project Inform is a popular Web site used by hundreds of HIV/AIDS and health information Web sites. Project Inform works to teach people about treatment and monitoring of HIV, advocate research, and educate people living with HIV on how to make informed healthcare decisions. Make sure to take a look at the options to the right of the page, such as “Resources for Medicare Part D,” and “Breaking News: HIV Treatment Info.”

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (NBHAAD) discusses the particularly high risks African Americans face with HIV/AIDS, and offers tools and ideas for hosting a National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day event in your area. A simple registration process will sign you up for e-mail updates from NBHAAD on the subjects of your choosing.

Hope’s Voice targets young people, because half of all new HIV infections worldwide occur in people younger than 25. Spokesmodels with HIV and AIDS are invited from around the world to offer statements about getting educated, tested, living with the disease, and knowing about their HIV status. This site has a very modern look.

Projects Abroad supplies information about participating in HIV/AIDS awareness projects overseas, and work with HIV/AIDS patients. For more information about a specific program, or to apply to a program, the “More Info” and “Apply Now” links are on the navigation bar at the top of the page.

The Kaiser Family Foundation focuses on major health issues in the United States and is assuming a larger role in global health matters. The site also has links to the Global Media AIDS Initiative and state-by-state AIDS facts.

Log Cabin Republicans is an organization supporting fair treatment of gay and lesbian Americans. You’ll find information here on the history of HIV/AIDS, information on early treatment options, a perspective on the global AIDS crisis, and more.