CONTACT: Cable Positive Thomas Dima 212.459.1605 thomas@cablepositive.org

CABLE POSITIVE, VH1 AND CABLE IN THE CLASSROOM TEAM UP FOR HIV/AIDS EDUCATION PROJECT

Curriculum Utilizes VH1 News Presents: AIDS: A Pop Culture History To Educate Young People About the Epidemic

NEW YORK, NY - December 1, 2004
Cable Positive, the cable and telecommunications AIDS action organization, has teamed up with VH1 and Cable in the Classroom, the cable telecommunications industry's organization committed to education -- to improve teaching and learning for children in schools, at home, and in their communities, to create a curriculum to educate young people about HIV and AIDS through VH1 News Presents AIDS: A Pop Culture History. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people under 25 account for half of new HIV infections in the United States, or about 20,000 annually.

“Cable Positive is honored to be working with two great partners, VH1 and Cable in the Classroom, to create this first of its kind program to reach young people with important information on HIV and AIDS,” said Steve Villano, President & CEO, Cable Positive.   “Our aim is get as many schools and community organizations to utilize the program as a key learning tool to raise AIDS awareness, promote HIV prevention and reduce stigma for those who are affected by HIV/AIDS.”

The program -- hosted by AIDS activist and actress Ashley Judd -- reveals how pop culture influenced the way the public has experienced the epidemic over the past 20 years. With interviews by some of entertainment’s biggest names including, Sharon Stone, Paul Michael Glaser, Russell Simmons and Clive Davis, AIDS: A Pop Culture History, explores the influence of pop culture on the American psyche as well as the limits of its reach.

The curriculum developed by Cable Positive from the program boasts a Q&A with Dr.Linda Berne an expert in the area of HIV/AIDS and adolescent sexuality issues as a means for discussing this important issue.  To utilize the curriculum visit http://www.vh1musicstudio.com/specials.html or contact VH1’s Irma Arizmendi at 212.846.4739 or irma.arizmendi@vh1staff.com.

 

ABOUT CABLE POSITIVE
Cable Positive is a national non-profit organization that was founded in February 1992 by three concerned cable executives with the mission of organizing cable's resources in the fight against AIDS. Cable Positive will mobilize the talents, resources, access and influence of the cable and telecommunications industry to raise HIV/AIDS awareness; support HIV/AIDS education, prevention and care; and strive to end stigma by creating a more compassionate climate for people whose lives have been affected by HIV or AIDS. Cable Positive has grown to include supporters from every major cable network, multiple system operator, cable system, hardware manufacturer, trade association, media publication, and affiliated industry vendors and suppliers. Since 1992, Cable Positive has raised more than $12 million in the fight against AIDS. For more information about Cable Positive, call 212.459.1502 or visit www.cablepositive.org.