Archive for January 25, 2010
Why is AIDS education for young people important?
AIDS education for young people plays a vital role in global efforts to end the AIDS epidemic. Despite the fact that HIV transmission can be prevented, each year millions of people become infected with the virus; in 2008 alone, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections. Almost 1-in-6 of these new infections were among people under 15 years old. “In 2008 alone, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections. Almost 1-in-6 of these new infections were among people under 15 years old.” Providing young people with basic AIDS education enables them to protect themselves from becoming infected. Young people are often particularly vulnerable to sexually transmitted HIV, and to HIV infection as a result of drug-use. Acquiring knowledge and skills encourages young people to avoid or reduce behaviours that carry a risk of HIV infection. Even for young people who are not yet engaging in risky behaviours, AIDS education is important for ensuring that they are prepared for situations that will put them at risk as they grow older. AIDS education also helps to reduce stigma and discrimination, by dispelling false information that can lead to fear and blame. This is crucial for prevention, as stigma often makes people reluctant to be tested for HIV. Somebody who is not aware of their HIV infection is more likely to pass the virus on to others. AIDS education can help to prevent this, halting stigma and discrimination before they have an opportunity to grow. In order to prevent becoming infected with HIV, young people need comprehensive information about how HIV is transmitted and what they can do to stop themselves from becoming infected. This information should be delivered without moral judgement.
What is HIV ?
HIV is a virus. Viruses such as HIV cannot grow or reproduce on their own, they need to infect the cells of a living organism in order to replicate (make new copies of themselves). The human immune system usually finds and kills viruses fairly quickly, but HIV attacks the immune system itself – the very thing that would normally get rid of a virus.
With around 2.7 million people becoming infected with HIV in 2008, there are now an estimated 33 million people around the world who are living with HIV, including millions who have developed AIDS.
Source: http://www.avert.org
2009-2010 STUDENT ESSAY CONTEST
The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis announces the 22nd Annual Student Essay Contest open to all high school juniors and seniors in the Ninth Federal Reserve District.
What economic factors may be contributing to the problem of obesity, and how can economics be applied to address the problem?
For almost all of the human past, the prospect of starvation was a real threat to most people. While scarcity is still the pervasive fact of economics, modern industrial economies have an abundance of low-cost food. As a result, the United States and other countries have seen an increase in rates of obesity.
Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat becomes a health threat. This can have such adverse consequences as higher rates of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and stroke. In addition, some claim that increasing obesity rates inflict costs on the rest of society as well. For this reason, there might be a case for public action to reduce obesity.
The Minneapolis Fed has decided for its 22nd Annual Student Essay Contest to ask the question, “What economic factors may be contributing to the problem of obesity, and how can economics be applied to address the problem?”
Essays can explore why obesity has increased, and what sorts of policies (if any) can combat this increase. What follows is a summary of some, but not all, economic aspects of obesity. Read more
If you have any questions, contact Joe Mahon at Joseph.Mahon@mpls.frb.org or call 612-204-5254.
Writing Guide
- Topic Primer
- Bibliography
- Economic Principles To Keep in Mind
- Tips on Writing a Winning Essay
- Eligibility Requirements
- Contest Regulations
- Essay Judging
- Student Entry Form
- Two Divisions: Standard and Advanced Economics
Rules
Awards
Fifteen students in each division will receive a $100 U.S. savings bond. In addition, a first- and second-place winner will be selected from each division. The two second-place winners will each receive an additional $200 savings bond, and the two first-place winners will each receive an additional $400 savings bond. One first-place winner will be selected as the overall winner of a paid summer internship at the Minneapolis Fed. The winning essay will also be published in The Region magazine.
Contest Timetable |
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| Student essays due | March 26, 2010 | |
| Finalists announced | April 16, 2010 | |
| Student Workshop and Awards Program, Minneapolis, Minn. | April 30, 2010 |
Essay Contest Archive
Source:
http://www.minneapolisfed.org/
