World AIDS Day – By Celina Gorre
What happened to AIDS? Back in the 1980s, messages of safe sex, red ribbons, and images of the AIDS Quilt would saturate the airwaves on the 1st of December – the designated day to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. Today, World AIDS Day has become an occasion to release updated statistics on the spread of the epidemic, with a significant focus on the emerging economies of India, China and Russia. The message is subtle but clear – AIDS is a HUGE problem, but not in our own backyard. Indeed, the majority of the burden of HIV infection and AIDS rests in the developing world.
UNAIDS estimates that 39.6 million people live with HIV and AIDS in the world today. The majority of these cases (over 80%) live in Sub-Saharan Africa. While these numbers are alarming, what is most disconcerting is the fact that over 90% of those infected with HIV don’t know they have it. That means that nine out of ten people carrying the HIV virus do not know and that they can spread it to those they have sex with or share injection needles with. So, if you are a young, active person, one strong, proactive way to mark World AIDS Day is to GET TESTED and know your status.
Now, what about AIDS in America? With the widespread availability of information to prevent becoming infected, condoms, and advances in AIDS treatment, those of us in the US (and in the EU) have advantages over most of the rest of the world – access. In fact, for those infected with AIDS and have access to treatment, it has relegated the disease to a chronic condition, and many can look forward to a life expectancy which is close to normal. But, much in the same way that access to other goods are dependent on the structure of society, so too is the access to this life-saving information, materials, and treatment. And today, what in the United States was once known as a disease which primarily impacted the gay community, is quickly ravaging the African American communities across the country. In fact, rates of HIV infection among African American women are the fastest-growing today.
An African American woman is fifteen times more likely to become infected with HIV than her Caucasian counterpart. And, this epidemic in America is going largely unnoticed by policymakers, while the plight of those in other parts of the world are commanding the attention of development agencies and even the president of the United States. In 2003, with a pledge of $15 billion, President Bush created the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Response (PEPFAR). Meanwhile, in 2004 when PBS commentator Gwen Ifle asked VP Cheney what he planned to do about the high rates of HIV infection among African American women in the US, he said that he wasn’t aware of it, and then proceeded to talk about the US government’s efforts abroad. Unfortunately, John Edwards didn’t have a better response. So, another way to take action on World AIDS Day is to write to your Congressmen/Congresswomen or Senator about they’re doing on HIV and AIDS right here in the US.
Despite all the progress which has been made, the billions of dollars being committed to the problem by governments, businesses and even private citizens such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, AIDS is still very much an issue and the plague of our generation. Remain informed, remain empowered and remain engaged with the young people in your life.
Thank you.
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Thx Celina for the Guest Blog – YG
YG Notes:
Celina Gorre began her career in this area by teaching HIV/AIDS prevention among youth in Los Angeles and has since conducted AIDS research in the Philippines, earned an MPH in Epidemiology from UCLA, and managed a Voluntary Counseling and Testing Program. In 2004, Celina received a Masters in Public Administration from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where she focused on business-government relations, human rights, and economic development.
Currently, in her role as Technical Manager at GBC, Celina works with member companies through the Business AIDS Methodologyâ„¢ (BAM), the process of needs assessment, strategy and implementation of their HIV/AIDS programs. She also manages institutional data on the global corporate HIV/AIDS response.
For More Info:
www.joinred.com
www.businessfightsaids.org
www.unaids.org/en/
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