Happy New Year, Unhappy New York!

Huh?

You may have seen the CDC's study on overall happiness in every state in America. The study, started in 1984, collected data surrounding individual health and satisfaction with life. The results were recently released... Guess where New York ranked?

Yep, dead last. (Did they interview Knicks fans, or something?)

How could you not love the city that never sleeps?! Except, of course, if you are looking for a city that sleeps... The Top 10 states on the happiness scale: 1. Louisiana, 2. Hawaii, 3. Florida, 4. Tennessee, 5. Arizona, 6. Mississippi, 7. Montana, 8. South Carolina, 9. Alabama and 10. Maine. Bottom 3? 49. New Jersey, 50. Connecticut and 51. New York (D.C. was included in the study). For the complete list, click here.

Regardless of where you are, The Girls & Boys Projects hopes you find happiness in 2010! And, we should note... We LOVE being in New York!

World AIDS Day

Today is World AIDS Day. It is a day where some stop to think of the many who have died as a result of the syndrome. Others think about the work that has already been done, as well as what works lies ahead. And, still others will give thought to the millions who suffer daily from HIV/AIDS.

It is also an important day to generate financial support and general awareness around the issues. Many companies take part in the (RED) campaign, most visibly the GAP, which donates a portion of all (RED) purchases to The Global Fund, an organization that focuses its efforts in sub-Saharan Africa.

AIDS has ripped through the African continent with a ruthlessness that makes it impossible to ignore. But, while you are giving thought to the plight of Africans struggling to win this battle, please keep in mind that there is an AIDS battle right here in America.

Blacks and Latinos continue to be disproportionately affected by the spread of HIV/AIDS. Drug use is still a factor, but we now know that so much of the blame falls at the feet of men engaging in "high-risk" behavior and bringing home HIV to their unsuspecting wives. There are social, cultural, moral, and educational battles to fight in addressing this epidemic. And, there is no easy solution . . . But, the trends certainly won't be reversed if we think only of it as an African problem.