How to Use This Tool Kit

June 5th is a milestone day in the struggle to bring the AIDS pandemic to a close. The significance of the day cannot be missed. As a result of HIV/AIDS, we have lost untold millions of our loved ones. As a society, we have also seen a tremendous outpouring of support from the tireless efforts of untold numbers of individuals, and the unimaginable courage and strength of those living with HIV/AIDS and those who care for and love them.

The Office of Minority Health and the Office of HIV/AIDS Policy strongly encourage organizations and individuals at the local level to consider holding an event, writing a letter to the editor, or otherwise engaging their community in activities.

This tool kit contains a number of resources which will assist you in planning and implementing activities at the local level to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the first reported cases of AIDS. Please note that these are only ideas. All activities should be tailored to meet the specific needs of your own community. This information is provided only as a means to facilitate activities at the local level. It is impossible for us to cover all potential issues that could be addressed. We have provided those which are most likely to affect the greatest number of communities. You know your community best, and you know what messages they most need to hear.

• A list of possible activities which could be undertaken within your community.
• A list of suggested talking points which could be used in writing a letter to the editor.
• A sample letter to the editor incorporating many of those talking points.
• A sample media advisory to alert the media to an upcoming event.
• A sample interview advisory to alert the media to your availability to participate in radio, television, or print interviews.
• Links to HIV/AIDS statistics for specific populations, including global AIDS statistics.
• WEB based public service announcements which can be heard on the Internet and used by local radio stations for broadcasting.
• A link to the first Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report which reported on the first cases of a new disease that would later on be named "AIDS."
• Links to the Surgeon General's Leadership Campaign on AIDS, to the Office of Minority Health Resource Center and the Surgeon General's web pages.
• Links to other Federal and non-federal web sites with information about the 20th anniversary of HIV/AIDS.

We urge you to use the 20th anniversary of HIV/AIDS as a "teachable" moment in your community. Share with others what you have learned so that they too may benefit from your expertise and caring. Please let others know about this tool kit, and consider holding joint activities in your community. Thank you.

Contents

• Background on 20th Anniversary of AIDS
• List Possible Activities
• Suggested Talking Points for a Letter to Editor
• Sample Letter to the Editor
• Sample Media Advisory
• Sample Interview Advisory