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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion |
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In 2004, an estimated 4,883 young people aged 13–24 in the 33 states
reporting to the CDC were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Through 2003, CDC
estimates that 5,492 children under the age of 13 in the United States died
as a result of AIDS-related illnesses. Statistics from 2005 show that
Broward County, Florida, leads the nation in new AIDS infections.
Although Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) had a well-structured HIV/AIDS curriculum for grades 2–12, data revealed a need for enhanced secondary school education. To improve existing programming and maximize CDC funds for preventing HIV/AIDS infections, sexually transmitted disease transmissions, and unplanned pregnancies, BCPS partnered with the Broward County chapter of the American Red Cross to develop and implement an HIV/AIDS education program for secondary students—Project BEAT (Bridging Education and Attitudes in Teens).
Project BEAT blends existing BCPS HIV/AIDS curricula with Red Cross
standards and objectives, including peer and parental education components.
Specifically, the program provides instructors to teach a supplemental HIV
curriculum and trains teachers to facilitate peer education clubs in
districts at higher risk for HIV transmission.
Highlights of the program’s successes include the following:
By the end of the third year, Project BEAT reached nearly 54,000 middle and high school youth and approximately 2,200 parents and community members.
During the 2006–2007 academic year, assessments given to randomly selected secondary school students indicated a 97.3% post-test score in knowledge of HIV/AIDS and related decision making skills, an increase of 28% overall.
By the close of the 2006–2007 academic year, more than 150 BCPS high school students were certified as Red Cross HIV/AIDS instructors to provide their peers with science-based information under the auspices of Red Cross staff.
Effective risk reduction strategies offer hope for decreasing the spread
of HIV/AIDS. In times of shrinking budgets, partnerships between the public
and private sectors are essential for implementing health promotion and
disease prevention activities to improve the health of our nation’s youth.
Addressing a common goal through combined efforts can yield dynamic
partnerships, pooled resources, shared expertise, and new insights into
better ways to address the health challenges facing our youth.
NOTE: Success stories, including background data and
outcomes, reflect information as reported by participating programs. Also,
in this context, impact refers to short-term or intermediate outcomes.
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Contact Us Page last reviewed:
April 23, 2008
Division of Adolescent
and School Health
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