Access Needed to HIV Information

Thought the epidemic was over? Think again. HIV has made its presence felt on college campuses.

Credit: CDC

The Raleigh News & Observer reports that about 56 college students at 30 North Carolina schools have tested positive for HIV since 2000, including at least 29 infected students in the Triangle area. The numbers are particularly high among young, black males, and in response, "all 12 historically minority campuses in the state are planning to offer free, confidential AIDS testing for the first time."

The nation's schools must follow North Carolina's example before epidemics break out close to home. There must be more access to HIV and AIDS education on campuses.

It is equally important that students are made to feel comfortable with gaining access to these programs. Insensitive campus health providers and the potential lack of confidentiality may turn away many students from critical campus health services.

If students are not comfortable with on-campus health services, the university and the federal Department of Health and Human Services should promote and help subsidize off-campus health options such as those provided by Planned Parenthood. We must continue to push for the sexual health of our young people. In doing so, it is not enough to have health programs available on campuses; we must educate providers so that they can encourage students and make them feel sufficiently at ease to take advantage of them.

This editorial was written by the editorial board of The District Chronicles at Howard University.

Posted March 22, 2004