World AIDS Day Overview

What is World AIDS Day?

December 1st was designated World AIDS Day back in 1988 as a day of rememberance and a day to raise awareness of the HIV/AIDS epidemic throughout the world.

What does the NYSDOH do in recognition of this day?

For the past eight years the AIDS Institute has collaborated with the New York Capital Region Chapter of the NAMES Project to host a display of panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Using the Quilt as an education tool, schools throughout NYS are invited to visit the Quilt display and receive HIV prevention education. This event takes place the week leading up to World AIDS Day (December 1st).

What is the AIDS Memorial Quilt?

In 1985, gay rights activist Cleve Jones got the idea to write the names of friends who had died from AIDS on cardboard and taped them to the Federal building and when he looked back at the wall of names, it looked like a quilt. In 1987, Mr. Jones got together with a group of friends and made the very first Quilts and began the NAMES Project Foundation.

The New York Capital Region Chapter of the NAMES Project was created in 1997. The primary mission of the Capital Region Chapter is consistent with the overall mission of the Foundation...to use the AIDS Memorial Quilt to provide HIV prevention education and to increase public awareness.

Who provides HIV prevention education to schools during this event?

Locally trained youth peer educators provide HIV prevention education to school groups. The AIDS Institute and the New York Capital Region NAMES project work closely with peer educators to provide them with appropriate training using the AIDS Memorial Quilt as an education tool, as well as current information on HIV/AIDS prevention.

What does the education session consist of?

  • 20 minute orientation where peers review the Quilt history and facts and HIV 101 information (transmission, true/false questions, statistics, different HIV tests available);
  • 40 minute viewing of the Quilt (65 12' x 12' panels) where students are given a worksheet to complete while viewing the Quilt; and
  • 30 minute debriefing where the peer educators summarize students' experiences. Students then have the opportunity to speak with a person living with the virus.

2008 Events to be Announced...

For more information, please contact the New York State Department of Health at 518-473-2903; Toll Free at 866-362-7946 or email mbv01@health.state.ny.us