Chinese Agencies Launch Nationwide HIV/AIDS Awareness Campaign Targeting College Students

Several Chinese agencies have launched a joint, nationwide campaign to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS among college students, Xinhuanet reports. The campaign is co-organized by China's AIDS Working Committee Office under the State Council, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Center Committee of the Communist Youth League. It will involve routine training and large publicity programs on college campuses. Organizers said they hope to encourage more college students to join China's national HIV/AIDS campaign.

Nearly 80% of people diagnosed with HIV in 2006 were between ages 20 to 39, Vice Health Minister Wang Longde said at the launch of the campaign at the Renmin University of China in Beijing. Wang said the campaign is targeting college-age students because they are more open to accept or practice new concepts, ideas and risky behavior -- placing them at an increased risk of HIV. "It is the responsibility of the whole of society to help" college students "establish healthy lifestyles," Wang said (Xinhuanet, 6/19).