• Nearly a third perfect our kissing techniques using our hands, which is the highest in the country, while 10% admit they have kissed photographs and posters of sexy celebrities in a bid to up their game.
• A fifth of people have read up on techniques or used the web to improve their puckering up prowess
• Nearly a third of people (31%) admit that they are more likely to have a one night stand with a stranger if they’re a good kisser
• More than quarter of people say they kiss members of the same sex for fun – with a third of men admitting to snogging a male mate during nights out
• Most people experience their first good kiss between the age of 16 and 18. It’s downhill from then on with only 1% of men and women finding their lip nibbling nirvana after the age of 30
• Bad breath is a bigger turn off for women than for men and twice as many women as men cite an overeager “face eater” as the worst type of kisser.
• While only a third of men don’t like a sloppy smacker the number rises to nearly two thirds for women who say they’d rather be left high and dry than face a wet kisser
• A quarter of women prefer eyes shut while men don’t mind as much
  Tender and sensitive kissing is the most favourite type of snog while too much “tonsil tennis” is the least favoured bit of kissing for a fifth of Brits

Now, in case you think that this study was just a bit of light hearted fun, there is a serious side to it. The study was instigated to rasise money for HIV and AIDs awareness and prevention among young people.

The money is being raised through the sale of The Body Shop’s Tantalising Lip Butter. Almost 75% of the price of each sale will be donated to the MTV Staying Alive Foundation charity which is planning this year to award a grant for HIV/Aids awareness projects in the United Kingdom.

Wonder what a similar study would reveal in the United States and New Zealand?

Post from: Healthbolt

Back in 2003,  imams in northern Nigeria  claimed that polio vaccinations were part of a western plot aimed to make Muslims infertile or infect them with AIDS.  This resulted in large scale boycotting of the vaccines and an almost doubling of children crippled with polio the following year.

(the good news – a big new anti-polio push is currently under way in Nigeria and this time, many of the Muslim imams are advocating for people to have the vaccination.)

Meanwhile, the Pope, during his recent visit to Africa stated that ‘condoms are not the answer’ to fighting AIDS.  Not only that, he went on to add that it (condoms) only increases the problem.  Of course, this statement shouldn’t be all that surprising given the Catholic churches stance on birth control and abortion.  But it really doesn’t help those who are fighting against this disease.

(image by nualabugeye at flickr)

Post from: Healthbolt

HIV/AIDS remains one of those subjects that not talked about so much over the dinner table or when out for coffee with the girls. But prehaps it should be because the numbers tell us it’s a disease that does not seem to be going away. In fact, according this Snapshot of the U.S. Epidemic provided by the Kaiser Family Foundation, it seems to be growing…

• Number of new HIV infections, 2006: 56,300
• Number of people living with HIV/AIDS: 1.1 million, including more than 468,000 with AIDS
• Number of AIDS deaths since beginning of epidemic: 583,298, including 14,561 in 2007
• Percent of people infected with HIV who don’t know it: 21%

So what can you do? The CDC suggests the following.

• Get tested for HIV. To find a testing site center near you, text your zip code to Know IT (566948).
• Attend an event near you.
• Download or listen to National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day ( 2:56 mins)
• Learn more about the impact of HIV/AIDS among women in the United States.
• Stand up against stigma, racism, and other forms of discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS.
• Donate time and money to HIV/AIDS organizations.

Post from: Healthbolt

Here’s this year’s World AIDS Day Message from UNAIDS Executive Director Dr Peter Piot…

Post from: Healthbolt

Have you heard the song ‘Sing‘?

It’s the latest from the Scottish musician and HIV/AIDS awareness campaigner Annie Lennox. It’s a song that was over a year in the making and features not only Annie Lennox’s powerful voice but also the voices of 23 other well known singers. Singers such as Madonna, Gladys Knight, Sarah McLachlan, Anastacia, and more…

The result is amazing. Powerful. And moving.

All proceeds from the sale of ‘Sing’ will go to Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), a grass-roots organization founded in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1998, the TAC campaigns have resulted in the development of antiretroviral treatment programs, countrywide mother-to-child transmission prevention programs, and HIV treatment and prevention programs.

By the way, did you know that March 10th is ‘National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day’, so designated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Resources in 2006.

So Take Action

There are many ways women and girls can take action in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Here’s a few recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Resources:

• get tested for HIV
• practice safe methods to prevent HIV
• decide not to engage in high risk behaviors
• talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues
• provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS
• get involved with or host an event for National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in your community

Spread the word. Be aware.

Post from: Healthbolt