The AIDS Ambassadors at UCLA is an undergraduate teaching group that reaches out to youth in the greater Los Angeles area using interactive and art-based teaching methods to educate them about the risks of HIV transmission. Through collaboration with the UCLA AIDS Institute, the UCLA Art and Global Health Center, PEP/LA and other UCLA and non-UCLA affiliated organizations, the AIDS Ambassadors engage young adults in high schools, after-school enrichment programs, and incarcerated youth facilities to inform and educate them in an interactive, fun, safe peer environment. The Ambassadors also promote HIV awareness on campus through yearly events such as World AIDS Day and 48-Hours to Action. Using the skills of undergraduate students from every department across campus, the AIDS Ambassadors work to empower young adults to take the initiative to make healthy, pro-active decisions regarding their sexual health. Further information can be found on their website and on Facebook.
Sex and Cookies is an innovative program bringing teaching on reproductive and sexual health to undergraduate students at UCLA. 50% of all new HIV infections occur among people under 25 years of age and the majority of STIs are contracted by people between the ages of 19 and 24. College-aged young adults are also more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviors, such as infrequent use of condoms and other contraceptives. In this program, UCLA medical and public health students meet regularly with undergraduates in the residence halls to supply health education and information on risk-prevention, in addition to providing a non-intimidating environment to discuss potentially embarrassing reproductive health topics. Medical and public health students are trained in sexual education counseling by the UCLA OB/GYN Clinic. The program is supported by UCLA Faculty members Dr David Gere (Director, Art and Global Health Center at UCLA) and Dr Gail Wyatt (Associate Director, UCLA AIDS Institute).
The Annual UCLA Pediatric AIDS Coalition's Dance Marathon is held on campus every February. Go to our Donations and Support page for more information or visit the Pediatric AIDS Coalition website.
48 Hours to Action48 Hours to Action is presented annually, on World AIDS Day, by the UCLA Art and Global Health Center, and brings attention to the global challenge of HIV/AIDS. Students are given 48 hours to prepare an evening of entertainment, based on a theme (for 2011 the theme was "Protest in a Box"). The result is a dynamic collection of songs, poems, skits and thought-provoking monologues, presented to a diverse audience of fellow students, UCLA faculty, donors and community members.
