New York – November 3 – 2006.  --The spread of sexually transmitted diseases among young minorities in our nation has reached epidemic proportions. African-American youth between the ages of 13 and 19 account for 66 percent of new HIV infections and almost half of the 19 million new STD infections that occur each year are among youth between the ages of 15 and 24.  The National Urban Technology Center (Urban Tech), has taken its attack on HIV and other STD’s to high schools on a level that teens can understand.

Urban Tech has created interactive online computer courses – coupled with intense discussion and workshops – that utilize animated scenarios starring characters to whom students can relate. Contemporary language, music and life experiences are dramatically portrayed by Urban Tech’s characters, followed by instilling life lessons through interactive follow-up and discussions.

One such course called “Prom Night” is geared to deal with issues of HIV and other STD’s. This STD and HIV awareness module will teach participants about the transmission and affects of HIV and AIDS, discuss the difference between HIV and AIDS, learn how to identify, prevent and treat different types of STD’s, learn about each person’s responsibility in controlling the spread of STD’s and emphasize the need to get tested.
“We are creating a forum in which students feel more comfortable talking about their private affairs.  Hopefully, through this reality-based education technique, students will be more apt to talk about these sensitive issues with their sexual partner.  Our goal would be to help them move towards getting regular STD and HIV testing,” said Pat Bransford, president and founder of Urban Tech.  “This is definitely intended to be a wake up call on a level these teens can understand,” added Bransford.

The “Prom Night” module is one of the many courses that are offered through Urban Tech’s Youth Leadership Academy (YLA). Other courses offered through YLA are conflict resolution, team building, self discovery, personal appearance, interpersonal relationships, substance abuse prevention, budgets and banking, educational planning, and healthy habits.