Dr. Lair Guerra de Macedo is an infectologist and University professor who has dedicated her professional life to work on issues related to HIV/AIDS. In 1996, Lair Guerra created and was the coordinator of the National STD/AIDS Program for the Brazilian Ministry of Health. While working there, she worked to halt the spread of HIV/AIDS and further public health efforts by initiating several public awareness programs. In one program, the government handed out condoms to teenagers so as to convey to them the importance of safer sex. Another awareness program aimed at reaching adults as well as teenagers was a media campaign that provided information on HIV/AIDS that urged people to use condoms to prevent the spread of the disease.

In addition to her work with the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Lair Guerra was a founding member of the STD Diagnostic Initiative, a former Governing Council Member for the International AIDS Society, and served as the honorary president of the Second Brazilian Symposium on Basic Research in HIV/AIDS.

In 2004, she was honored at the Fourth National Exhibition of Successful Experiences in Epidemiology and Disease Prevention and Control in Brazil, as being referred to a woman "who, for Brazil, symbolizes the struggle against AIDS."(CITE) Lair Guerra was nominated as one of one thousand women worldwide for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize for the HIV/AIDS related work that she does.

Information on HIV/AIDS in Brazil, end of 2003

Adult* HIV prevalence rate: 0.7%
Adults living with HIV: 650,000
Adults and children living with HIV: 660,000
Women Living with HIV: 240,000
AIDS deaths (adults and children): 15,000

*Adult statistics for persons 15-49 years old

**statistics from deaths that occurred in 2003

Source: UNAIDS

Related Websites

http://www.1000peacewomen.org

The official website announcing the one thousand women worldwide that were nominated for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize.

http://www.aids.gov.br/

The official website for the National Program of STD's and AIDS in Brazil.

http://www.iasociety.org

The official website for the International AIDS Society.