Partners In Health (PIH) is a nonprofit organization, founded by Paul Farmer and Jim Yong Kim in 1987, that aims to deliver health and social justice to the world's poorest communities. Based in Boston, PIH addresses health-related, social, and economic needs in Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Russia, Boston, Lesotho, and Rwanda. In Haiti alone, PIH has been integral in the opening of six new or newly-renovated clinics and hospitals, where there are a combined 1,650 patient visits per day. Now, many national and international organizations are beginning to see PIH’s successes, and those organizations are leading efforts to provide more equitable access to prevention, care, and treatment in the developing world.

PIH aims "to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need of them and to serve as an antidote to despair;" in viewing health as a fundamental human right, not as a privilege for those able to pay, PIH addresses injustices that have resulted from socioeconomic disparities. In addition to treating people's medical needs, PIH provides local people with jobs and educational opportunities. Much more than a charity, Partners in Health works to raise the standard of living in the world's most destitute communities.

We are proud to announce that our local beneficiary for DM 2010 is Bay Area Young Positives! Nearly half of all new HIV infection strike young individuals under the age of 25. Realizing this startling statistic and the lack of targeted services for this demographic, BAY Positives was founded in 1990 to provide peer-run support for young individuals under the age of 27 who know they are HIV positive or would like to obtain testing services to ascertain their HIV status. Through peer counseling, BAY Positives has worked to build and strengthen the community of young people (especially those without stable homes) at risk for contracting HIV, while also tackling the stigmas and stereotypes associated with the disease.

Towards this end, Bay Area Young Positives runs a Drop-In Day Center for new individuals who would like to obtain an HIV test, maintains partnerships with several HIV/AIDS organizations in the Bay Area to whom they can refer their clients, and provides individual counseling and prevention case management. Additionally, BAY Positives organizes social and recreational events and support groups for those interested, as well as a speakers bureau that helps put a face to HIV/AIDS among young people. Stanford DM is excited to partner with Bay Area Young Positives this year and looks forward to educating and spreading awareness about issues affecting young (college-age!) individuals with HIV/AIDS.