Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, commonly called AIDS and first documented in the United States in 1981, is a worldwide epidemic. Approximately 33.4 million people are living with HIV, the human immunodeficiency virus that causes AIDS, and the disease itself, leading to more than 2 million deaths a year, according to statistics provided by Avert. AIDS is a chronic disease that attacks the body's immune system, leaving the patient vulnerable to additional life-threatening infections. Those infected with HIV face many decisions and changes in their life, and there are a lot of resources to help them cope with the disease, make sound health care choices and educate others to help stop the epidemic.
Project Inform
Project Inform, founded in 1985, is a national community-based HIV organization that strives to educate patients about their health care choices while encouraging the government, industry and academic scientists to end the epidemic. Project Inform is an invaluable resource for a patient diagnosed with HIV or AIDS because the program helps people find quality health care that is affordable. It also provide patients with thoroughly researched treatment information that is nonbiased and reliable.
Project Inform operates a National HIV/AIDS Treatment Hotline that is dedicated to answering calls from HIV patients and providing support and information about local medical and social services.
The Body
The Body is an online resource sponsored by Body Health Resources Corporation. It provides comprehensive information about HIV, AIDS and available treatment. The Body strives to uncover the myths about HIV infection and AIDS and to improve the quality of life for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. The Body provides information about the disease and the treatments available, including up-to-date information on research and new treatments on the horizon.
The Body is a place where newly diagnosed patients can connect with others. In addition to providing a list of organizations that offer services for those living with HIV, it also has bulletin boards to post messages and connect to others with similar experiences. For many, knowing they are not alone is encouragement enough to seek medical treatment, which today can help them to live a fairly normal life span, according to Dana Van Gorder, the executive director of Project Inform.
Avert
Avert, founded in 1986, is an international charity dedicated to helping people worldwide avert HIV and AIDS by providing education, treatment and quality care. Avert's website provides information on HIV and AIDS and the treatment and prevention of it to more than one-third of a million visitors each week, according to the statistics provided by Avert.
Avert also has a community program that works with local organizations, especially in South Africa, to improve treatment, provide support to those infected and educate communities to encourage prevention.
