Educational Media Reviews Online

The Latest About HIV and AIDS: What Every Student Still Needs to Know provides viewers, especially teens, clear, concise, and updated information on HIV and AIDS. Basics are also covered, such as What is HIV, and What is AIDS early in the video. Those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS weave in and out of the narration. Their stories are never presented to scare or to overly emote, but merely to inform teens on a personal basis. The information is segmented logically. Examples are Who Can Get Infected with HIV, Risky Behaviors, and Behaviors That Are Not Risky. The tone remains serious throughout, but never preachy. Producers wisely avoid that immediate teen turn off. Animations illustrate in an adult and realistic manner. New and successful treatments are described accurately. Viewers are warned not to be complacent about their actions because AIDS is no longer an inevitable death sentence. Like the best of young adult fiction, The Latest About HIV and AIDS: What Every Student Still Needs to Know gives all audiences a universal message that will appeal to all. Included on the disc is a PDF Teacher’s Resource Book, and short animated instructions on the correct use of both male and female condoms. These can be viewed, or not, as appropriate. A highly recommended purchase for all library collections.