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ABCs of AIDS education slow reaching workplaces Most major companies in the U.S. now have policies to protect HlV-positive employees from discrimination and guarantee complete medical coverage. However, only one in six U.S. businesses have initiated programs to educate ernployees about HIV/AIDS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even though the disease is the leading killer of more than half of the U.S. workforce. A CDC survey in 1995 showed that of 2,252 businesses, 43 percent had a written AIDS policy and 46 percent encouraged employees to participate in AIDS/HIV service organizations. Although employers need training programs to insure that HIV positive employees stay productive as long as possible and to combat fear and stereotyping about HIV/AIDS among management and employees. we are aware of no studies showing the extent of policies or training among local employers in or outside the government Guam employers need programs to talk about how HIV is transmitted, costs of treating opportunistic infections, how to improve employee athhldes about the disease and to prevent the unnecessary loss of trained employees. A program Business Responds to AIDS, designed to help companies increase AIDS awareness among employees in the U.S., apparently has not yet reached Guam. The Business Responds to AIDS program encourages businesses to develop an AIDS policy, support AIDS education for employees' families, and promote AIDS volunteerism and philanthropy. For employers who want to get started with HIV/AIDS training for employees, try the Guam Chapter of the American Red Cross which provides HIV/AIDS trainers for the workplace. Or, employers can contact Arrow for more information about the Business Responds to AIDS program (734-4030). (CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse 2/24/97)