Project Concern International (PCI)

Tijuana, a city of 1.2 million people, is located amidst the busiest land border crossing in the world. Commerce, employment, migration and tourism bring a constant flow of millions back and forth across the border each year, and with the multitudes of people come a multitude of issues. One of the most serious issues is a growing HIV infection rate in the Tijuana border region that is estimated to be three times higher than Mexico's national average.
There a many factors contributing to the spread of AIDS in Tijuana, including a booming sex tourism industry – a business being fueled affordable prostitution rates and Americans willing to pay good money for services and will pay more if not required to wear a condom.
A study published last year by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine indicated that the rate of HIV/AIDS infections in Tijuana, Mexico are increasing and numbers are much higher than had been previously estimated.
According to the study, the number of men and women aged 15 to 49 years who are infected with HIV may be as high as one in 125 persons – a dramatic increase from 20 years ago. In turn, infection rates on the San Diego County side of the border are spiking as well.
San Diego County currently ranks third highest in the state of California for HIV infections, trailing only behind Los Angeles and San Francisco. As of October 2007, the California Department of Health Services found over 13,000 people infected with HIV/AIDS in San Diego.

Saturday, December 1st is World AIDS Day. In recognition of this annual event, here are a few things YOU can do to help fight this global epidemic:

> Be a part of the solution! Volunteer with PCI on December 1st at the San Ysidro-Mexico border port of entry as we raise HIV/AIDS awareness in our region.
> Educate yourself about the ever-present dangers of HIV/AIDS and understand that no person or region is immune from this disease.
> Talk to your partner, children, younger siblings, or other young people in your life, about the dangers of HIV/AIDS and methods of prevention (using condoms, avoiding illegal drugs).
> Learn more about PCI’s HIV/AIDS programs in Africa and India.
> Urge your government representatives to support HIV/AIDS eradication programs.
> Get tested.