Film Documents HIV/AIDS Programs for the Uniformed Services

SEPTEMBER 2004 — Armed forces, police and other uniformed services around the world face a serious risk of HIV infection. Separation from family and community is in part responsible for this increased risk, as is a pervasive "culture of invincibility" created by the sense of danger that many in uniform face daily. Fortunately, the highly controlled, top-down command structure of the uniformed services serves as an excellent medium for sustainable prevention, care and treatment programming.

A new documentary produced by FHI, UNAIDS and USAID, On the Front: HIV/AIDS and the Uniformed Services, examines recent developments in HIV/AIDS programming for the uniformed services. The film is part of a larger effort by the Uniformed Services Task Force—established by FHI, UNAIDS, the U.S. Department of Defense, USAID and other partners—to work with military, police, prison, customs and immigration personnel. The Task Force aims to develop programs and share lessons learned with donors, governments and uniformed services worldwide.

The 13-minute film highlights programs in Burundi, Cambodia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Namibia, Thailand and Ukraine and includes interviews with UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, Dr. Peter Piot, executive director of UNAIDS, and Dr. Peter Lamptey, president of FHI's Institute for HIV/AIDS.

The film was screened in July 2004 at the Leadership Forum on Uniformed Services, XV International AIDS Conference, Bangkok; the U.S. Department of Defense has held multiple screenings at its Center of Excellence in Honolulu. FHI has screened the film for uniformed services leaders in India and Vietnam, with additional screenings planned.

To request a copy of the film, please email aidspubs@fhi.org.

Photo: Cambodian soldiers and their families watch an AIDS drama in this video still taken from On the Front: HIV/AIDS and the Uniformed Services. (FHI/UNAIDS)