"HIV/AIDS: Proof Positive of Racial Injustice." Source: ACT-UP Philadelphia

In the United States, HIV/AIDS is no longer just a disease affecting white, gay men. The percentage of cases of women living with HIV has tripled in the past 20 years, and women of color are most affected. Yet outdated perceptions about the epidemic drive government prevention work, from the way data is collected to who gets tested.

On this edition, those on the frontlines of the grassroots HIV/AIDS movement bring the discussion about HIV risk up to date. They say generating more relevant prevention models is literally a matter of life and death, especially for women of color.

Featuring:

Silvia Martei, HIV positive woman in Oakland, CA; Naina Khanna, W.O.R.L.D. community outreach coordinator; Silvia Lopez, Co-Founder of the Women Rising Project; Waheedah Shabazz-El, ACT-UP Philadelphia member, Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project and Philadelphia FIGHT community organizer/trainer; Kenyon Farrow, Prevention Justice Mobilization Communications coordinator and Queers for Economic Justice board member; Ginger Virago, harm reduction specialist and Saint James Infirmary board member and case worker at “Positive She,” a University of San Francisco program for HIV-positive women; Esther Lucero, San Francisco Native American AIDS Project HIV case manager; L. Nyrobi N. Moss, Sister Love sexual health educator; Dazon Dixon Diallo, Sister Love intervention specialist founder/chief executive officer; Lisa Diane White, Sister Love program manager.

Senior Producer/Host: Tena Rubio
Managing Show Producer: Pauline Bartolone
Associate Producer: Puck Lo
Contributing Producer: Noah Chandler
Interns: Samson Reiny, Joaquin Palomino and Elena Botkin-Levy

Bonus Audio:

• At an October 22nd, 2007 Washington, DC press briefing called “Women and AIDS: Federal HIV-reporting policy and its impact on women,” HIV organizations spoke to the need to make changes in the Centers for Disease Control’s HIV surveillance system:

Colin Flynn, Chief of Surveillance and Epidemiology at the Maryland Dept. of Health and Hygiene’s AIDS administration, presented the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists HIV surveillance position paper.

Carrie Broadus, Executive Director of the Women Alive Coalition, presented the National Women and AIDS Collective (NWAC) position paper.

• Emerging radio producers Renita Pitts and Shanina Shumate created this 10-minute web segment:

Fighting AIDS in Oakland, a report on AIDS and African-American women featuring the voices of U.S. Congresswoman Barbara Lee, Dr. Robert Scott, Anita Schools of Women Overcoming Life Threatening Diseases (WORLD), Bishop Dr. Yvette Flounder, and Sheryl Lee Ralph.

For more information:

Sister Love

AIDS Coalition to Unleash Power

W.O.R.L.D.

Community HIV/AIDS Mobilization Project

Prevention Justice Mobilization

St. James Infirmary

Native American AIDS Project

Truth AIDS

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Association of People with AIDS

Philadelphia FIGHT

Queers for Economic Justice

Additional information:

Black Coalition on AIDS

The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium

Prevention Point Philadelphia

AID Atlanta

Harm Reduction Coalition

New York State Black Gay Network

HIV/AIDS Amongst Women

Ms. Foundation

For a free video contact:
HIV Positive Voices

Music:

De La Soul – “Hey Love Love”
Ghetto Muffin – “Tsanana”
Unknown Artist – “Balm in Gilead”

Loon Gangte, president of the Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+). Source: Pauline Bartolone

It’s been 25 years since the start of the AIDS epidemic. In that time the number of those infected with HIV has grown to a staggering 40 million worldwide. What was once a fatal disease is now a treatable condition, but advocates say more needs to be done to protect the rights of those infected ­ from universal access to treatment to the elimination of stigma.

This week on Making Contact, a special collaboration with Human Rights Watch, we’ll hear stories from positive people and activists in the places worst hit by the epidemic.

Featuring:

Loon Gangte, President, Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+); Father JP Heath, Secretary General of the African Network of Religious Leaders Living with AIDS (ANARELA); Rolake Odetoyinbo, Program Director, Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA ­ NIGERIA); Grace Sediou, Founder, Bomme-Ifago Association, Botswana; Beatrice Were, Ugandan AIDS activist; Andriy Klepikov, Director, International AIDS Alliance, UKRAINE; Alan Clear, Director, Harm Reduction Coalition; Joe Amon, Director, HIV/AIDS program, Human Rights Watch.

Producer/Host: Pauline Bartolone.

For more information:

Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+) – India

African Network of Religious Leaders Living with AIDS (ANARELA) – South Africa

Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA ­ NIGERIA) – Lagos, NIGERIA

International AIDS Alliance – Ukraine

Harm Reduction Coalition -  New York, NY

HIV/AIDS program, Human Rights Watch – New York, NY

Journalists Against AIDS – Nigeria

Loon Gangte, president of the Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+). Source: Pauline Bartolone

It’s been 25 years since the start of the AIDS epidemic. In that time the number of those infected with HIV has grown to a staggering 40 million worldwide. What was once a fatal disease is now a treatable condition, but advocates say more needs to be done to protect the rights of those infected ­ from universal access to treatment to the elimination of stigma.

This week on Making Contact, a special collaboration with Human Rights Watch, we’ll hear stories from positive people and activists in the places worst hit by the epidemic.

Featuring:

Loon Gangte, President, Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+); Father JP Heath, Secretary General of the African Network of Religious Leaders Living with AIDS (ANARELA); Rolake Odetoyinbo, Program Director, Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA ­ NIGERIA); Grace Sediou, Founder, Bomme-Ifago Association, Botswana; Beatrice Were, Ugandan AIDS activist; Andriy Klepikov, Director, International AIDS Alliance, UKRAINE; Alan Clear, Director, Harm Reduction Coalition; Joe Amon, Director, HIV/AIDS program, Human Rights Watch.

Producer/Host: Pauline Bartolone.

For more information:

Delhi Network of Positive People (DNP+) – India

African Network of Religious Leaders Living with AIDS (ANARELA) – South Africa

Positive Action for Treatment Access (PATA ­ NIGERIA) – Lagos, NIGERIA

International AIDS Alliance – Ukraine

Harm Reduction Coalition -  New York, NY

HIV/AIDS program, Human Rights Watch – New York, NY

Journalists Against AIDS – Nigeria

Adriana Oliveira selects anti-AIDS drugs in a pharmaceutical laboratory in Rio de Janeiro. Source: Julio Guimaraes / thegully.com

Grassroots groups in Brazil have successfully educated sex workers and many others on the dangers of AIDS. The Brazilian government provides free medicine for anyone who is HIV positive, something that doesn’t even happen in all parts of the U.S. American activists say we can learn a lot from the Brazilian experience.

Independent producer Reese Erlich reports from Rio de Janeiro. Also, listen to the songs of Seu Jorge, a Brazilian musician who came from the slums and champions the cause of the poor.

Featuring:

Dr. Paulo Barroso, Federal University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro; Cleidejane Araujo, president, HIV Vida; Sandra Palagar, cook’s assistant; Jorge Margalais, supervisor, Far Manguinhos pharmaceutical factory; Eloa Dos Santos Pinheiro, former factory director, Far Manguinhos; Dr. Mauro Schecter, AIDS expert; John Iverson, co-founder, ACT UP; Seu Jorge, Brazilian actor and songwriter.

This week’s host: Tena Rubio. Contributing producer: Reese Erlich.

For more information:

Federal University Hospital

Far Manguinhos

ACT UP San Francisco – San Francisco, CA

Seu Jorge

Reviews of this program on PRX (Public Radio Exchange):

Posted: 4-16-2006
Reviewer: John Biewen, Correspondent/Producer, American RadioWorks; Audio Program Director, Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Durham, NC

This half-hour show is good radio. It includes two fine pieces from Brazil by Reese Erlich. The first 20-minute report is a solid and smart exploration of Brazil’s successful efforts to contain the spread of AIDS. Unlike the United States, Brazil provides free treatment for all HIV-positive patients. It does so, in part, by making its own anti-retroviral drugs and driving a hard bargain with the multinationals to buy their drugs at below-market prices. We also hear how grassroots groups play a key role by educating sex workers and other HIV-positive people to seek the free treatment. The point is clear: Why can’t the richest country in the world run an anti-AIDS campaign as progressive and efficient as Brazil’s? It’s an eye-opening piece on one of the many social issues going under-reported in a U.S. media landscape dominated by war and national security issues.

The show’s second report from Erlich, a profile of Brazilian musician Seu Jorge, is equally well-done.

Rating: 4/5
Adjectives: Engaging, Informational, Thoughtful

~~~

Posted: 3-14-2006
Reviewer: Sandra Smallwood-Beltran, Auditory Learner, Miami, FL

Unconventional sources are interviewed and the attention of listeners is captivated. The piece ends with an easy and constructive look at a Brazilian ghetto.

The rhythm throughout is lively. There are translations into English, but phrases spoken in Portuguese are not smothered. The ambience is genuine, and of course, there is Brazilian music.

Rating: 4/5
Adjectives: Informational, Provocative, Surprising

~~~

Posted: 12-18-2005
Reviewer: David Swatling, Producer, Radio Netherlands

This is an eye-opening investigation into the success of Brazil’s treatment program for HIV/AIDS. Taking on the multi-national pharmacuetical companies by producing their own medicines, and then providing them free to anyone who needs them, Brazil has lowered infection rates at a time when they are rising in many Western “developed” nations – the US included. Important lessons to be considered here. The piece is a bit heavy on narration, but Reese Elrich is an engaging guide as he speaks with doctors, social workers and people on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Using his excellent translators instead of neutral voice-overs kept us clearly on location. But the piece felt just a bit too much like a news report instead of allowing the rich atmosphere of Brazil to breathe. The last third of the program is a completely seperate story about singer Seu Jorge. A nice profile, but I would’ve preferred to stay longer with the more important issue of HIV/AIDS and hear more from the people involved with the struggle, perhaps their personal stories. However, I still highly recommend this piece. It’s very well produced.

Rating: 4/5
Adjectives: Informational, Provocative, Surprising

Adriana Oliveira selects anti-AIDS drugs in a pharmaceutical laboratory in Rio de Janeiro. Source: Julio Guimaraes / thegully.com

Grassroots groups in Brazil have successfully educated sex workers and many others on the dangers of AIDS. The Brazilian government provides free medicine for anyone who is HIV positive, something that doesn’t even happen in all parts of the U.S. American activists say we can learn a lot from the Brazilian experience.

Independent producer Reese Erlich reports from Rio de Janeiro. Also, listen to the songs of Seu Jorge, a Brazilian musician who came from the slums and champions the cause of the poor.

Featuring:

Dr. Paulo Barroso, Federal University Hospital, Rio de Janeiro; Cleidejane Araujo, president, HIV Vida; Sandra Palagar, cook’s assistant; Jorge Margalais, supervisor, Far Manguinhos pharmaceutical factory; Eloa Dos Santos Pinheiro, former factory director, Far Manguinhos; Dr. Mauro Schecter, AIDS expert; John Iverson, co-founder, ACT UP; Seu Jorge, Brazilian actor and songwriter.

This week’s host: Tena Rubio. Contributing producer: Reese Erlich.

For more information:

Federal University Hospital
Cidade Universitária – Rio de Janeiro

Far Manguinhos

ACT UP San Francisco

Seu Jorge

Reviews of this program on PRX (Public Radio Exchange):

Posted: 4-16-2006
Reviewer: John Biewen, Correspondent/Producer, American RadioWorks; Audio Program Director, Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, Durham, NC

This half-hour show is good radio. It includes two fine pieces from Brazil by Reese Erlich. The first 20-minute report is a solid and smart exploration of Brazil’s successful efforts to contain the spread of AIDS. Unlike the United States, Brazil provides free treatment for all HIV-positive patients. It does so, in part, by making its own anti-retroviral drugs and driving a hard bargain with the multinationals to buy their drugs at below-market prices. We also hear how grassroots groups play a key role by educating sex workers and other HIV-positive people to seek the free treatment. The point is clear: Why can’t the richest country in the world run an anti-AIDS campaign as progressive and efficient as Brazil’s? It’s an eye-opening piece on one of the many social issues going under-reported in a U.S. media landscape dominated by war and national security issues.

The show’s second report from Erlich, a profile of Brazilian musician Seu Jorge, is equally well-done.

Rating: 4/5
Adjectives: Engaging, Informational, Thoughtful

~~~

Posted: 3-14-2006
Reviewer: Sandra Smallwood-Beltran, Auditory Learner, Miami, FL

Unconventional sources are interviewed and the attention of listeners is captivated. The piece ends with an easy and constructive look at a Brazilian ghetto.

The rhythm throughout is lively. There are translations into English, but phrases spoken in Portuguese are not smothered. The ambience is genuine, and of course, there is Brazilian music.

Rating: 4/5
Adjectives: Informational, Provocative, Surprising

~~~

Posted: 12-18-2005
Reviewer: David Swatling, Producer, Radio Netherlands

This is an eye-opening investigation into the success of Brazil’s treatment program for HIV/AIDS. Taking on the multi-national pharmacuetical companies by producing their own medicines, and then providing them free to anyone who needs them, Brazil has lowered infection rates at a time when they are rising in many Western “developed” nations – the US included. Important lessons to be considered here. The piece is a bit heavy on narration, but Reese Elrich is an engaging guide as he speaks with doctors, social workers and people on the streets of Rio de Janeiro. Using his excellent translators instead of neutral voice-overs kept us clearly on location. But the piece felt just a bit too much like a news report instead of allowing the rich atmosphere of Brazil to breathe. The last third of the program is a completely seperate story about singer Seu Jorge. A nice profile, but I would’ve preferred to stay longer with the more important issue of HIV/AIDS and hear more from the people involved with the struggle, perhaps their personal stories. However, I still highly recommend this piece. It’s very well produced.

Rating: 4/5
Adjectives: Informational, Provocative, Surprising