Health Plus - Health Plus And Health Jam Educate City's Children On HIV

For Immediate Release

Health Plus And Health Jam Educate City's Children On HIV
Health Plus Sponsors "Edutainment" Events To Foster HIV Knowledge In Observance Of World AIDS Day

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New York, NY - December 8, 2003 — Young Americans between the ages of 13 and 24 are contracting HIV at a rate of two per hour. Attempting to combat this bleak statistic is Health Jam, a not-for-profit organization devoted to health education, backed by help from several corporate sponsors including Health Plus, New York's managed care organization. Together, this partnership is educating the city's high school students on how to prevent and deal with AIDS.

By utilizing what Health Jam calls "Edutainment," a fusion of education and entertainment, the organization has been holding hip-hop and R&B concerts that incorporate AIDS educators as part of the show at several of the city's high schools. These assembly-style events occurred earlier this month, coinciding with World Aids Day, December 1st. This year the program reached out to 9,375 students at ten different schools in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.

"These events aim to increases the student's health awareness by using celebrity role models, such as radio DJ's and R&B stars, and AIDS educators to influence adolescent perceptions and behavioral patterns regarding HIV and safe sexual practices," says Priscilla Galarza, School-Based Program Coordinator for Health Plus.

Some HIV positive speakers revealed their personal stories and answered questions about the deadly disease to educate the students.

"Having HIV-positive speakers share their stories with the students really allows them to see the disease personally," says Galarza. "The students are able to gain a personal and sensitive insight into the realities of living with the virus."

Subhas Moran, Nick Mucilli, of Legal Studies High School, Daniel Campbell of Health Plus, William Jusino, Shannon Legge and Mr. McCallwain of Progress High School, Edgardo Gonzalez and Horatio Francis of Health Plus, all stand together at Health Jam

Health Plus staff and Jane Adams High School faculty in the Bronx stand alongside up-and-coming R&B group 'Foot Steps'

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Health Plus, a not-for-profit, multi-cultural organization, is one of the fastest growing managed care organizations in New York City. It was established in 1984 with a commitment to provide coordinated quality health care and improving access to health care for uninsured and underserved families. In its annual review of managed care plans, the New York State Department of Health ranked Health Plus as the top plan for quality in its 2002 and 2003 "Consumer's Guide to Medicaid Managed Care in New York City." Health Plus is New York City's leading provider of Child Health Plus, a New York State Department of Health program that offers parents FREE or low-cost health insurance for children under the age of 19. "CRAIN'S New York Business" magazine ranked Health Plus fifth among the largest health maintenance organizations in the New York area.