AIDS in Watauga County, North Carolina, 1985-2009
Overview
The Appalachian Region, and Watauga County in particular, has lacked the overwhelming impact of HIV/AIDS. With only 20 diagnosed cases of HIV through 2005 in a county of 48,000, AIDS is far from being an epidemic. [1] Yet, Watauga County, with Appalachian State University leading the way, affected some state-wide change by being North Carolina's first public university to mount condom dispensers in campus restrooms. [2] [3] [4]
Although Watauga County's AIDS incidence is insignificant in comparison to North Carolina’s urban centers, its first reported case was in 1987, and ASU’s first student reported with HIV infection was publicized in 1987. [5] [6] When an African student was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987, ASU physician Pat Geiger joined community members Terry and Dr. Jack Taylor to develop a community-based AIDS support group. [7] This support group met in the Taylors' home for six years and consisted of many gay HIV+ students and community members. According to Terry Taylor, women and children were also among the county's infected population. Alumni report knowing multiple college friends who are infected or have since died, including AGAA founder Jeff Isenhour. [8] One former student recalls a dozen friends testing positive during the early 1990s. [9] During the 2000s, HIV infection continued its spread within the gay and bisexual student population although ASU doctors note a substantial demographic shift to heterosexual risk, especially within the African-American student population.
Pages
- User:Boone
- AIDS Support Group, 1987-1995
- Condom Dispensers at ASU, 1988-1989
- Statistics, 1985-2009
References
- ↑ Division of Public Health, North Carolina Epidemiologic Profile for HIV/STD Prevention and Care Planning (State of North Carolina: Raleigh, NC, 2006), D-13.
- ↑ Russel Johnson, “Condom Dispensers Discussed,” The Appalachian, 17 November 1988, 1.
- ↑ Jeff Weathersbee, “Condom Issue Touches Colleges: Condom Sales Rise Steadily,” The Appalachian, 26 April 1990, 1
- ↑ Jon Jimison, “Senate Approves Condom Bill,” The Appalachian, 1 December 1988, 1.
- ↑ Dana Scott, “Watauga County is Relatively Free of AIDS Virus,” The Appalachian, 5 May 1987, 1.
- ↑ Tracey Coffron, “College Students at Highest Risk for AIDS Infection,” The Appalachian, 26 February 1991, 1.
- ↑ Terry Taylor, Appalachian Memory Project, Belk Library and Information Commons, Appalachian State University.
- ↑ Don Barber (pseudonym), Interview with Kathy Staley, 15 June 2006.
- ↑ Lee O’Malley, Interview with Kathy Staley, 31 December 2006.
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