2008-08-01 23:22:03 -

- Ramsell Corporation Mike Woo, 510-587-2632 mwoo@ramsellcorp.com

WHAT: The HIV/AIDS crisis in the United States produces almost daily discussion and the never-ending publication of reports on what needs to be done to better manage the epidemic. In an effort to initiate a fresh discussion on the topic, and to address the realities of the disease on local, state and

federal levels, Flowers Heritage Foundation brought together an unusual group of experts and consumers of HIV/AIDS programs, services, and policy makers. The forum took place over a two-day Think Tank session, to discuss the new reality of the disease and drafted a set of recommendations that would improve both the national and local response to the HIV/AIDS crisis.

Gregory W. Edwards, EdD, Executive Director of the Flowers Heritage Foundation will present an overview of the work of the Foundation and discuss findings and recommendations from the Think Tank Report: A Vision of Thoughtful Change.

The report summarizes the engaged discussion of the more than 30 thought leaders in the HIV/AIDS arena and provides key recommendations that have particular salience for the ongoing discussion of the future of HIV/AIDS in the United States.

For a copy of the Think Tank Report: A Vision of Thoughtful Change, please email mwoo@ramsellcorp.com.

WHO: Flowers Heritage Foundation is a non profit (501c3) organization dedicated to providing solutions for public health issues affecting the medically indigent through our expertise in public health care, education/awareness programs, technology, business management, and fundraising.

WHEN: Sunday, August 3, 2008

3:45 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. CDT

WHERE: XVII International AIDS Conference

Skills Building, Room 6

Centro Banamex

Mexico City, Mexico

WHY: It is estimated that there are 1.1 million adults living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. As HIV/AIDS moves into the third decade, the domestic response has only reached 10-20% of the community with HIV education and awareness - even less with testing and early identification. Gone are the days of a population-specific, geographically defined epidemic. Fresh thinking and new programs on the local, state and national levels are needed to reach the remaining 80-90% of the HIV/AIDS community that is not knowledgeable in the area of HIV education and awareness.

Executive Director Greg Edwards to Present Findings on Current and
Re-occurring Issues that Confront Implementation of Effective HIV/AIDS
Responses in the United States