Summary of organization history, goals and key achievements

The mission of the Health Awareness Connection is to provide health education in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and HIV disease to at-risk segments of the population especially adolescents by on-site teaching. Realistic STD/AIDS prevention messages are taught to classes of students in the Boston Public Schools by a physician specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of STDs and HIV disease.

The Health Awareness Connection was a direct outcome of the two year research fellowship that the director, Dr. Robert Taylor ompleted in June 1995 with the Harvard AIDS Institute. Based on what was learned during the fellowship, Dr. Taylor decided to design a unique and creative class on STD/AIDS prevention suitable for young people. Over the past four years, more than five hundred classes to over ten thousand inner-city middle and high school students have been successfully given (see attached list). Previously naive individuals can be taught to think about STD prevention. Although the emphasis is on abstinence ("If you don't have sex, you don't have to worry about getting STDs"), alternate ways of prevention are discussed. STDs are a major cause of morbidity in young people in Boston exacting a grave toll on our city. Every case of STD that is prevented represents an individual with a sense of well-being and a chance to better himself. The Health Awareness Connection, like the Boston Public Schools has a investment in the potential of our youth. To date the class continues to be given at least one hundred times a year in various Boston middle and high schools. The Health Awareness Connection was founded to provide grants to continue and expand the classes. The objective is to reach the maximal number of young people and hopefully reduce the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS.

Class Description Summary

The class includes a comprehensive survey of the common STDs: e.g. gonorrhea, chlamydia, genital warts, syphilis, pubic lice, herpes , HIV disease, etc. The symptoms, complications and treatment of these are discussed. A unique part of the presentation is the explicit nature of the pictures that are used to illustrate the diseases. Besides getting the students' attention, the power of the photographs allows the students see in detail the diseases they have not yet experienced. Of course the class is given in a caring and sensitive way so as to not offend young minds. Much time is spent on reviewing reproductive anatomy and physiology to allow the students to see which part of their bodies may be affected by STDs. Throughout the entire class it is emphasized that these are illnesses that are spread though unprotected sex and if the students are abstinent, they don't have to worry about them. The fact that a doctor is teaching the class adds authority to the presentation. Although each class is a one-time intervention, it totally compliments the efforts that the school teachers are making in this subject.

The best measure of our success in affecting the students can be seen in what the students say themselves about the classes. A very simple evaluation form has been designed that is given to the students after the class. By reading their comments, it seems clear that the majority of them are deeply impressed by the class. These questionnaires are available for perusal and I've attached a copy of just a very few of them. It is the effect that is seen in their answers that convinces us that we are doing a good job. This program is already successful in influencing their ideas about casual sex and making them think twice. After taking the class, when they think about sex, they know the potential consequences associated with unprotected intercourse. Factual information presented in a way that is clear and to the point without sugar coating can be very effective if taught with sincerity and concern for the individual who is receiving the information.

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(c) 1998 Robert Taylor, M.D.