TeachAIDS on World’s AIDS Day
It’s not everyday that someone’s graduate work evolves 
into a groundbreaking public health interventions, but such was the case for Dr. Piya Sorcar. Dr. Sorcar, recently named one of the top 35 innovators in the world under 35 by MIT Technology Review, founded TeachAIDS as part of her graduate work at Stanford University beginning in 2005. Realizing that it was often cultural barriers that prevented HIV education materials from reaching those who needed it most, she developed a culturally-attuned, interactive software that teaches everyday people about HIV and AIDS.
As of today, the TeachAIDS materials are being used in over 30 countries, including regions where no other HIV-related educational materials were previously allowed. Dr. Clifford Nass, a Stanford professor and TeachAIDS advisor and board member, commented, “The TeachAIDS software has comfort rates that are in Disney territory, which is remarkable for a curriculum on such a sensitive topic. It is providing the best HIV education in the world, and is accessible to those prevented from learning because of cultural taboos or costs.”
All TeachAIDS software is professionally developed at considerable investment, but then distributed for free under a Creative Commons License, which means absolutely anyone can take advantage of its highly vetted information and savvy approach to HIV education. Be sure to tune in to hear Dr. Sorcar speak about it on Thursday at TEDxWomen, and meanwhile, check out all of these ways to get involved:
- Organize a showing of the animated software to educate others (e.g., in schools, clubs or at-risk groups in your community). This is especially popular around December 1st – World AIDS Day.
- Promote learning through use of social media – post animation links to Twitter, Facebook, blogs, etc.
- Share the TeachAIDS animations with other nonprofits, church groups, study abroad programs and/or with comparable organizations in your community.
- Volunteer your talents with the TeachAIDS organization and help them continue to build new animated software.
