University Anti-Stigma Campaign

In 2008, due to the latest statistics stating 50% of new HIV infections in the United States occur in the age group of 15-24 year olds and that the percentage of new HIV infections in Houston was twice the national average, LIVE CONSORTIUM is dedicated to fight the stigma that surrounds HIV, help prevent new HIV infections in the Houston area, and encourage HIV infected individuals to seek treatment. We are reaching out to institutions of higher education that largely serve this age group to combat HIV stigma and confirm our dedication to knowledge and learning to this end. The University Anti-Stigma CampaignSM is in continual development after its pilot project at the University of Houston.

The University Anti-Stigma CampaignSM is composed of two main phases, Phase I is comprised of actively engaging and educating university students through campus media, university faculty, and student social and professional organizations. The aim of the first phase it to educate students and the university campus as to what is stigma, how stigma negatively affects an individual and community at large, dispelling HIV myths, and educating the university community as to how to live in a world with HIV, and how in combination, fighting stigma and being informed about HIV, can significantly reduce the proliferation of HIV.

Phase II, Anti-Stigma Day as Proclaimed by the City of Houston on March 10, is the culmination of Phase I on a day in which outside university and on-campus organizations provide a health and wellness fair, symposium, and informational fair.