Press Release
	New York City Department of Health Office of Public Affairs
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, July 30, 1999 Contact: Sandra Mullin/John Gadd (212) 788-5290

Health Commissioner Neal L. Cohen, M.D., today unveiled the thirteenth episode of Julio and Marisol: Decision, the Health Department's internationally acclaimed HIV prevention campaign. This latest episode in New York City's ongoing "Subway Soap Opera" is appearing in English and Spanish versions throughout the New York City Subway system.

"Recent studies in New York City have produced hopeful findings which indicate that HIV infection rates in general are decreasing significantly. However, they also demonstrated that these decreases are not happening across the board," Dr. Cohen said, "Thousands of New Yorkers are diagnosed with AIDS each year, and HIV prevention is a critical public health goal. Everybody should be aware that they can and should take steps to protect themselves from HIV infection. We must continue to reach out and educate people at risk."

In episode 12 of Decision, Julio is relieved to learn from his HIV counselor that his HIV test is negative. Julio calls Marisol to tell her the good news, but their expressions of love for each other are cast under the pall of news that Marisol's sister, Dolores, who is HIV positive, has relapsed and is again using drugs.

In Decision XIII, released this week, Marisol urges Dolores to not give up hope, pointing out that many new medications are helping people with HIV live longer and healthier lives. With Marisol's support, Dolores agrees to call the AIDS Hotline, at 1-800-TALK-HIV, which can help her access HIV treatment even though she has no money, as well as identify programs to help her stop using drugs. However, Dolores begins to cry as she tells Marisol that she thinks she might be pregnant.

Decision episodes tell the ongoing story of Julio and Marisol as they and their friends and family struggle with perceptions and realities concerning HIV/AIDS. Started in 1990, the Decision campaign has received numerous awards for its innovative efforts to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS issues. It promotes the Health Department's AIDS Hotline, which provides counseling and referral services to callers. The English and Spanish language phone number for the AIDS Hotline is 1-800-TALK-HIV. The AIDS Hotline operates seven days a week, from 9:00a.m. to 9:00p.m. Beginning with Episode 13, the Health Department's Women's Healthline, 230-1111 (area code 212 or 718), is also included. The Women's Healthline operates weekdays from 8:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.

"Many New Yorkers have told us that they appreciate Decision not only for the practical information about HIV/AIDS which it provides, but also because the situations in the series are the kinds which people may see themselves in. People can relate to the Decision series, they read it and internalize its detailed messages; that's why we target each issue, emphasizing the importance of safe sex and the alarming dangers of drug use," Dr. Cohen said.

Future episodes of Decision will continue to address emerging HIV/AIDS issues, such as HIV reporting and partner notification, developments in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatments, and other key public health issues which may be addressed through HIV/AIDS counseling.

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