loveLife Youth HIV Prevention Program to Be Featured at International AIDS Conference in Durban [International Conference on AIDS (13th: 2000: Durban, South Africa)]

News Release

THE HENRY
KAISER
FAMILY
F0 UND A"PION

For immediate Release Contact:
June 28, 2000 Andrew Shih
New York until June 30: 212 584 5012
Durban, July 6-13: (27 82) 858 0889
Michael: Sinclair
Durban, July 4-14: (27 83) 653 4271
[email protected]
INNOVATIVE loveLife YOUTH HIV PREVENTION PROGRAM TO BE
FEATURED AT INTERNATIONAL AIDS CONFERENCE IN DURBAN
Broadbased Program Uses Multi Media Approach to Reach South African Youth
with Lifesaving Messages on HIVIAIDS; loveLife Spearheads National Effort to
Set Up Clinical, Counseling and Outreach Services for Youth
DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA--oveLife, South Africa's largest and most ambitious HIV
prevention initiative, Which has made headlines with its innovative radio ads, TV
programming, website, newspaper, teen hotline, and the "loveTrain," is bringing its stars
and its messages to the XIII International AIDS Conference (AIDS2000) in Durban,
South Africa. On Saturday, July 8, the loveTrain-the world's largest billboard and a
working sexual health center, decorated with messages of HIV awareness and hbpe
from thousands of South Africans-will roll into Durban Station to be greeted by
conference delegates, government officials, and TV and music celebrities.
On Sunday, July 9, JoveLife is partnering with the AIDS2000 organizing committee to
host the conference opening ceremonies-the largest media event ever staged in
Africa. The hourSlong program, including an address by South African president Thabo
Mbeki, as well as dramatic performances, music and entertainment, will be broadcast
live to more than 70 countries and 60 million potential viewers worldwide.
"This is the first time that the International AIDS Conference Will take place in a
developing country," noted (oveLife spokesperson Judi Nwokedi. "The AIDS2000
opening event is a critical opportunity to focus the attention of the world on the HIV
catastrophe confronting South Africa and many other developing countries."
The lmtpact JMAIDS on So uth Africa's Youth
The need for innovative HIV prevention in South Africa could not be more compelling.
As many as half of South Africans under 20 today (approximately 8 million people)
could die of AIDS before the age of 35. HIV infection among 15.20 year olds in South
Africa is increasing at a rate of 65% a year, and the country's teen birth rate is among
the highest in the world, with 1/3 of all South African babies born to teenage mothers.
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