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AIDS awareness: On June 5, 1981, a mysterious immune deficiency was reported in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. In 1982, hundreds of similar reports had been collected from doctors, and in 1983, this virus was isolated and named Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). By the end of 1991, AIDS will be the second leading cause of death among men 25-44 years of age, and is likely to be one of the five leading caus­ es of death among women aged 15-44 years of age in the United States. By the year 2000, an estimated 40 million peo­ ple worldwide will be infected with the HIV virus that causes AIDS. If we close our eyes, AIDS will not go away. Abstinence is the best pre­ vention of AIDS, although condom use is more popular among most students. "No glove. No love," is a common slo­ gan used on campus to vocalize the se­ riousness of AIDS and promote condom use. "AIDS education should be mandatory at PSU," said Athena Bet- tenger, a junior studying Pre-Med. "AIDS is dangerous and people should be made aware of it. Student Health Services should continue the distribu­ tion of condoms and offer, on campus, AIDS testing at least once a year." Student Health Services on the PSU campus has distributed free con­ doms to students for several years now. They offer education on AIDS and will help students receive AIDS testing. They don't know if any PSU students have What do you know? AIDS awareness week sponsored such events as Condom Bingo. AIDS, but say the chances are very good that someone does. This year, a small rural Texas high school reportedly had six out of 180 students test positive for the AIDS virus. Student Health Services points out that less than 5 percent of the student body at PSU has been tested for AIDS and believe what happened in Texas can happen at PSU. We need to make others aware of AIDS, that it is serious and can kill. AIDS is most commonly passed on through sexual contact, so remember the slogan, "No glove. No love," and practice safe sex. —Theo Smith 37