by Sara Jones
News Reporter
Last year, 15,000 cases of AIDS were reported in Houston, according to the Houston Center for AIDS.
That number continues to grow every day.
In an attempt to increase awareness on campus, the University of Houston Wellness Center, Cougar P.E.P. and the Cougar World AIDS Day Committee are designating April 24 "Cougar Safer Sex/HIV Prevention Day."
UH observed World AIDS Day Nov. 26. The day traditionally commemorates those who have died from AIDS and teaches people about AIDS and related issues.
However, the decision was made that another day was needed at UH aimed specifically at the prevention of HIV, the virus which causes AIDS.
"HIV is a very big issue on any campus," said Wellness Center coordinator Chris Kerr. "Statistics show that minorities, women and college-aged people make up the fastest-growing groups to be infected with HIV.
"Our mission statement at the Wellness Center is health and wellness promotion, as well as disease and injury prevention."
"Most people think that they already know everything about HIV, but it is still spreading," said UH peer educator Hung Nguyen.
"I think that people are becoming immune to the message, so this day is a way to get the message back out there."
Nguyen, a senior marketing major, is in charge of Safer Sex/HIV Prevention Day. He sometimes devotes up to 30 hours a week talking about HIV and conducting safe-sex workshops for local high school and college students.
Nguyen is certified as an HIV counselor by the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
"I used to run state-funded programs that were budgeted for over $10,000, but recently, both the state and federal governments cut their funding of college-based HIV prevention programs," he said.
"But the programs we are offering Thursday are free, educational and hopefully fun, so I urge everyone to come," Nguyen said.
Nguyen will teach three workshops back-to-back at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. today in the University Center Lone Star Room.
There will also be a table set up outside the Wellness Center on the UC's Arbor Level from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. featuring free brochures and condoms.