letters

'U' TOPS IN 'SEXUAL HEALTH'

Combating HIV

Given the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and the simple truth that condoms remain the single most effective way to prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), Katherine Kersten might have viewed the University of Minnesota's No. 1 ranking in Trojan's 2007 Sexual Health Report entirely differently, had she chosen to ("Forget football, U's SHADEy condom brings home the big prize," Sept. 20).

Instead, she sneered at the university's achievement while neglecting to tell readers that two of the 11 criteria used to decide a school's GPA in the report are availability of HIV testing and testing for STIs.

I'm not an expert on HIV/AIDS, but as an employee in the Brown University AIDS Program -- Brown, by the way, ranked No. 39 in the report -- I do know that HIV/AIDS is on the rise and that researchers do not see a cure on the near horizon. Women, due to their greater biological susceptibility to HIV, are twice as likely as men to contract the virus from an infected partner, and condoms provide women who have limited incomes, inadequate access to social resources and family responsibilities with a cost-effective method to protect themselves from infection.

I also know that we continually must educate persons from young to old about HIV/AIDS. And if it takes something like SHADEy, the giant condom, to do it, well, so be it.

MARILYN MAY, WARREN, R.I.

Educating students

Unlike Katherine Kersten, I am proud that the University of Minnesota does such an excellent job of promoting the sexual health and well-being of its students.

A quick look at the Boynton Health Service website shows that there is much to be proud of -- SHADE is only one part of a very comprehensive package of care available to university students. The "anonymous advice" that Kersten seemed so confounded by (or possibly disparaging of -- it is often hard to tell whether she is sarcastic or merely confused) is an essential service for both abstinent and sexually active students. For many people, it is extremely reassuring to seek confidential, professional advice about sexual questions, whether they are related to sexual activity or not.

It's a shame that Kersten takes such a snide view of the activities of SHADE and of the U of M's sexual health awareness programs in general -- it's about much more than just passing out condoms with "the glee of Shriners." It's about respecting students' decisions when it comes to their own sexual health and providing them with the information and resources they need to be healthy regardless of whether or not they choose to be sexually active.

JOCEY NEVEAUX, MINNEAPOLIS

Could be worse

So would Katherine Kersten find more solace if the University of Minnesota led the nation in the transmission of STIs and pregnancy? I applaud the University of Minnesota for attempting to keep its students safe in the face of the failure of "abstinence programs."

JON SENUM, MINNEAPOLIS

SENATE COMDEMNS MOVEON

Politics of distraction

The U.S. Senate finally manages to successfully debate an Iraq war amendment -- only it's to denounce a newspaper ad, the MoveOn.org ad questioning Gen. David Petraeus' credibility (Star Tribune, Sept. 21).