| Alaska News CBS 11: Online Program for AIDS/HIV Prevention |
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The Internet is a powerful tool when it comes to getting your message out to lots of people but the Internet is increasingly becoming a powerful way to get out other types of information as well. The Alaska Aids Assistance Association is finding this out first hand with their newest project called Power-On Alaska dot org., a project funded by the Alaska Department of Health. Power-on is a way to do prevention on the Internet for things like Aids, HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases.  Since December links to the Power-on website have been popping up on other social networking sites around the state asking users if they'd like some help or information. Four A's counselor Alex Barros explains, “What they see is a profile that says I'm your Power-On Alaska health counselor, if you have any questions about your sexual health or you need information or a referral.click here and that opens up a chat window.†Trained counselors at the 4 A's answer the questions providing answers in real time. Burros says they give information that people need but might be too shy to seek out. “The idea of the web is that it gives complete anonymity with a screen name so people ask more intimate questions of our counselors, they're not embarrassed.†And it's not just questions, Power-On can link users up with discussion groups, other sites, even send out specific information on where people can go to get treatment in their own communities. Barros says the Internet is helping them reach more people than ever before. “Especially outside of Anchorage we are now reaching users across the state with this intervention. Anyone in Alaska can get on the Internet and they do, so we are talking to people from all over the state.† Barros says people who don't care to speak with a counselor on line can still get great information at the Power-On Website. The site has over 300 pages of health information all of it approved by the Centers for Disease Control and updated constantly.  Online Program for Aids/Hiv Prevention |