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NOVEMBER 20, 2006
Rhode Island Youth, Others Rally in Recognition of World AIDS Day
Event featured local youth performances, HOT106 FM radio personalities Tessa &
Baby J, and release of latest official data on HIV & AIDS in Rhode Island
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Click on photos for larger view
Photos courtesy of
Peter Goldberg Photography
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Youth Task Force member
Charlene Kneath presents the Youth 2006 Red Ribbon Rally award to Andrea Sterling for her inspiring work with youth in the field of HIV/AIDS in Rhode Island.
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Hot 106 Breakfuss Club
DJ's Baby J and Tessa host the 7th annual Red Ribbon Rally.
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RICPG Youth Task Force
Members and Hot 106 "Breakfuss Club" host Baby J give away raffle items to rally attendees during the 7th annual Red Ribbon Rally. From left to right: Candy Brown-McSwain, RICPG Youth
Task Force Co-Chair; Candace Tannis, RICPG Youth Task Force Member; Baby J, HOT 106.3 FM DJ and one of the hosts of the Red Ribbon Rally; Antonio Rodriguez, RICPG Youth Task Force Member;
Charlene Kneath, RICPG Youth Task Force Member.
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RICPG Youth Task Force
members and RICPG Co-Chairs with Hot 106 "Breakfuss Club" hosts Baby J and Tessa.
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Dr. Pamela Elizabeth
delivers her acceptance speech after being awarded the Adult 2006 Red Ribbon Rally Award for her inspiring work with youth in the field of HIV/AIDS in the state of Rhode Island.
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RICPG Youth Task Force
member, Antonio Rodriguez, performs an original monologue during the 7th Annual Red Ribbon Rally.
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PROVIDENCE, R.I. — More than one hundred Rhode Islanders gathered today at The Met School to celebrate the 7th Annual Red
Ribbon Rally, honoring those who are affected by HIV/AIDS and promoting community awareness of the epidemic. The Red Ribbon Rally kicks off Rhode Island's recognition of World AIDS Day (December 1).
The Red Ribbon Rally was hosted by Hot 106.3 FM personalities Tessa and Baby J. This year's Rally was coordinated by the Rhode
Island Community Planning Group for HIV Prevention's (RICPG) Youth Task Force in an effort to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS epidemic in Rhode Island's youth community.
"The Red Ribbon Rally provides an opportunity to increase awareness among young people about the very real threat of
HIV/AIDS," said Candy Brown-McSwain, co-chair of RICPG's Youth Task Force. "Such awareness can help stop the spread of the epidemic."
Sponsored by RICPG and the Rhode Island Department of Health Office of HIV/ AIDS &
Viral Hepatitis, the Red Ribbon Rally featured live performances by talented local youth, including members of the Youth Task Force and AS220's Rhode Show, an opportunity to
sign the world's largest red ribbon, and the presentation of awards to two community leaders, Dr. Pamela Elizabeth and Andrea Sterling, who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to youth-focused
HIV prevention efforts.
The Red Ribbon Rally also included the release of the latest official data on HIV and AIDS in Rhode Island. The data, compiled
and analyzed by the Rhode Island Department of Health, cover the period through 2005, the last year for which data are available. Among the findings:
- Between 2001 and 2005, there were 733 newly diagnosed cases of HIV in Rhode Island.
- 2005 saw the fewest newly diagnosed cases of HIV in the last five years—a full 30% lower than the number of cases diagnosed in 2004.
- Youth—individuals between the ages of 13 and 24—accounted for 13% of all HIV cases diagnosed in Rhode Island between the years 2000 and
2005. Of these cases, 63% were among African American and Hispanic youth.
- There have been more than 2,700 cases of AIDS reported in Rhode Island since the first reported case (in 1982).
- Since 1993, the number of people living with AIDS in Rhode Island has increased more than six-fold (from 203
cases in 1993 to 1,339 cases in 2005).
The data are part of the 2007 Update to the Rhode Island Comprehensive HIV Prevention Plan, an RICPG publication that
identifies the high-risk populations targeted for prevention efforts, profiles the prevalence and incidence of HIV and AIDS in the state, and provides recommendations for action. The Plan serves as guidance for
community-based agencies and organizations seeking state funding for HIV prevention.
The Plan identifies the following as priority populations for prevention efforts:
- men who have unprotected sex
with men and/or men who have unprotected sex with men and women (MSM)
- injecting drug users and other
substance users and their partners (IDU)
- women who have unprotected sex with men
- youth who have unprotected sex and/or engage in alcohol use and other drug use
- HIV-positive and high-risk individuals who do not know their HIV status
"RICPG works tirelessly to advocate for awareness and prevention of HIV and AIDS," said Paul G. Loberti, Jr., RICPG co-chair and
administrator of the Office of HIV/ AIDS & Viral Hepatitis at the Rhode Island Department of Health. "The Red Ribbon Rally helps us increase visibility of the importance of preventing HIV in our community."
About the Rhode Island Community Planning Group for HIV Prevention (RICPG)
RICPG is a coalition of community members who work together to help prevent the
spread of HIV in Rhode Island. The diverse group includes those living with HIV/AIDS, their partners and families, service providers, state department representatives,
and concerned citizens. RICPG's mission is to empower the community through strategic planning, community engagement, and the education of key stakeholders.
RICPG was established in 1994 by the Rhode Island Department of Health Office of HIV, AIDS & Viral Hepatitis through a mandate from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
About World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is now in its 18th year. It was initiated following a summit of health
ministers in January 1988, who recognized that a united global effort was required to halt the spread of HIV and AIDS.
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