China's health and education authorities have started a
nationwide campaign to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among college
students to combat a rise in transmissions through sex.
"Among the newly diagnosed HIV carriers in 2006, almost 80
percent were aged 20 to 39," Vice Health Minister Wang Longde said
at the launch of the campaign in Beijing's Renmin University.
Wang said young people were more willing to accept or practice
new concepts, ideas and even risky behavior, so they were more
vulnerable to HIV/AIDS.
"It is the responsibility of the whole of society to help them
establish healthy lifestyles," said Wang.
The project, co-organized by the AIDS Working Committee Office
under the State Council, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of
Education and Center Committee of the Communist Youth League,
includes regular training and large publicity programs on
campus.
The organizers said they hoped the project would attract more
college students to join China's campaign against HIV/AIDS.
China had recorded 203,527 HIV cases by April, but health
authorities estimate the country has about 650,000 people living
with HIV/AIDS, including 75,000 with full blown AIDS.
(Xinhua News Agency June 20, 2007)