KNOW HIV/AIDS is launching its second year on Super Bowl Sunday with the world premiere of one of the initiative’s new PSAs. The campaign, which includes media placements valued at $200 million in 2004, will run across Viacom’s broadcast, cable, radio, and outdoor advertising properties. In addition, a number of television shows have incorporated HIV/AIDS themes in upcoming episodes. MTV, MTV International, The N, BET, VH1, Showtime, Sundance Channel and Infinity Broadcasting have special HIV/AIDS-related programming planned throughout the year. And, Simon & Schuster will place ads with facts about the disease on the back of its titles. Get more details on the 2004 campaign.

KNOW HIV/AIDS will launch the second year of the campaign during the pre-game show for Super Bowl XXXVIII. Check your local listings and return to this link after the Super Bowl to see the complete ad.

On February 1, the KNOW HIV/AIDS Website will have a new look. We took feedback from the 6.4 million visitors in 2003 and are introducing a site that is easier to use and quicker to navigate with new features for individuals and organizations. Get a sneak peek.

CBS will air The Blackwater Lightship, a drama that explores how three generations of women learn to deal with their differences when a son reveals that he has AIDS. When: Wednesday, February 4 at 9:00pm ET/PT

UPN will air an episode of The Parkers when T learns that the girl of his dreams is living with HIV. When: Monday, February 16 at 8:00pm ET/PT

The Sundance Channel will air four HIV/AIDS related documentaries: It’s My Life, Mother to Child, The Gift and 14 Million Dreams. When: Monday, February 2. Check the Sundance Channel’s Website for local listings.

This report, based on a brief survey update of state officials conducted in December identifies changes related to Medicaid spending growth and cost containment that have taken place since the beginning of Fiscal Year 2004.

Report (.pdf)

This survey, conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates between June and September 2003 provides detailed information on retiree health programs offered by large private-sector employers. The data in this survey reflect the responses of 408 large firms (private-sector employers with 1,000 or more workers) and provides information on eligibility, benefits, premiums, and total cost in 2003, and offers insights as to what changes employers say they are likely to make in the near future. An article based on the survey’s findings appeared in the January 14, 2004 online issue of Health Affairs (see link below).

Report

Chartpack

Press Release

Webcast of event

Health Affairs Article

See more recent retiree health benefits surveys.

This chartpack (charts used at the briefing releasing this survey), from the survey conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation and Hewitt Associates between June and September 2003, provides detailed information on retiree health programs offered by large private-sector employers. The data in this survey reflect the responses of 408 large firms (private-sector employers with 1,000 or more workers) and provides information on eligibility, benefits, premiums, and total cost in 2003, and offers insights as to what changes employers say they are likely to make in the near future.

Chart Pack (.pdf)

This survey of state Medicaid pharmacy programs updates a survey conducted in 2000 and reports Medicaid prescription drug policies in effect in early 2003. It covers utilization management policies, payment and purchasing policies, utilization review policies, and policies for managed care enrollees and persons residing in institutions.

Report (.pdf)

This fact sheet examines federal funding for the global HIV/AIDS epidemic, with a primary emphasis on funding activities that benefit resource poor countries. United States funding for international HIV/AIDS activities in resource poor countries began in the mid-1980s; and in FY 2003, the U.S. Congress appropriated close to $1.5 billion globally.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan Launches Global Media AIDS Initiative

As part of the ongoing mobilisation of civil society in the fight against HIV/AIDS, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan met on January 15, 2004 with leaders of some of the world’s leading media organizations to launch a Global Media AIDS Initiative. The Initiative aims to activate media organizations to reach the world’s people – especially youth – with information about how to prevent and treat HIV and to help combat AIDS-related stigma and discrimination.

The launch of the Global Media AIDS Initiative drew Presidents, CEOs and senior executives of over 20 media organizations from around the world. Peter Piot, Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and Drew Altman, President and CEO of the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, whose organizations developed the Initiative, led sessions on the state of the global AIDS epidemic and the role that the media can play in combating the disease. Shashi Tharoor, United Nations Under Secretary-General for Communications and Public Information, facilitated a dialogue among participants. The meeting also received support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

News Release on the Global Media AIDS InitiativeWebcast of Meeting– Photos from the meeting– Meeting Agenda (.pdf)- List of Meeting Participants (.pdf)- Participant Biographies (.pdf)- Participating Media Companies (.pdf)- Statement of Support (.pdf)- Bill Gates Keynote Address (.pdf)

What Media Can Do (.pdf): A summary of opportunities for media companies to play a role in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

The Media and HIV/AIDS: Making a Difference (.pdf): An overview of the global HIV/AIDS epidemic and the role media can play in the fight against AIDS.

“Media Giant and Foundation Team Up to Fight HIV/AIDS,” The Lancet, April 26, 2003 (.pdf)

This fact sheet presents data on the range of resources currently directed to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in resource poor settings, including bilateral, multilateral, and private sector support, as well as domestic funding by affected country governments.

Fact Sheet (.pdf)

These summaries, prepared by Health Policy Alternatives, Inc., provide detailed information about the prescription drug provisions of the Medicare legislation (P.L. 108-173) signed by the President on December 8, 2003.

Report (.pdf)

This report is a case study of Oregon’s experience with its new prescription drug policy in its Medicaid fee-for-service pharmacy program. The report describes Oregon’s clinical review process, and assesses the results relative to other state preferred drug lists.

Report (.pdf)