With World AIDS Day 2007 having the global theme "Keep The Promise: Leadership" and the UK theming the day "Understanding Through Communication", it's definitely time to lose the “them and us” and become “you, me and us”.
As with all causes for discrimination the need is there to break the silence, get educated and make changes. However we see HIV/AIDS and however it affects us Worlds Aids Day is a chance to help bring change, stop the spread of HIV and prevent stigma and discrimination. A red ribbon is so much more than a flash of colour on your lapel. We have an opportunity to make it count.
A brief history of HIV/AIDS...
HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) is thought to have transferred to humans in the 1930’s in Africa, entered Haiti around 1966 and the United States around 1970. Western doctors and scientists remained ignorant of the growing problem.
By 1981 AIDS was being detected in gay men and injecting drug users in California and New York. In 1982 AIDS is reported amongst those requiring blood transfusions and Haitians in the USA and Europe. The label 'Gay Plague' given a name: AIDS – Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
Community groups were born in response. 1983 and AIDS was reported among non-drug using women and children and over three thousand AIDS cases were seen in the USA with over 1000 dying.
1984 saw a scientific breakthrough as HIV was identified as the cause of AIDS. Africa continued to see wide spread rises in infection.
1986 and the numbers grew worldwide with over 38,000 cases of AIDS being reported from 85 countries.
1987 and AZT arrived - the first drug approved for treating AIDS. The UK launched its tombstone image "Don’t Die Of Ignorance" campaign and sent leaflets to over 23 million homes.
World AIDS Day was established in 1988 and the red ribbon became part of our culture.
By 1990 and over 8 million people were living with HIV. 1993 and 1994 proved mixed years for AZT as proof came that it was no benefit to those in the early stages of HIV infection but it was shown to reduce the risk of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.
The Joint United Nations Programme on AIDS (UNAIDS) was established in 1995 and 1996 witnessed the arrival of combination anti-retroviral treatment - shown to be highly effective against HIV. In developed countries many began taking them.
1997 and AIDS deaths began to decline in developed countries, due to the new combination drugs. Brazil lead the way providing free combination therapy. But for most of those with HIV / AIDS in developing countries the cost is too high. 30 million people were now living with HIV.
World leaders finally saw sense in 2001 and set long-term UN targets on HIV/AIDS.
In 2003 the price of AIDS drugs dropped considerably allowing developing countries access whilst the World Health Organisation’s “3 by 5” campaign was launched. But the first AIDS vaccine was found to be ineffective.
By 2005 nearly 40 million people were living with HIV, including 25 million Africans. Over 25 million people had died of AIDS since 1981.
In 2006 circumcision was shown to reduce HIV infection among heterosexual men and 28% of people in developing countries who need treatment for HIV were receiving it. Annual global spending on AIDS in low- and middle-income countries is $8.9 billion but over $14.9 billion is needed to truly address the scale of infection.
It's 2007 and 33 million people are infected with the AIDS virus worldwide. Although access to the right drugs and preventive education are making their mark the numbers still shock. Every day in 2007 there are 6,800 new infections and over 5,700 deaths due to AIDS.
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your comments
comment 1 said by jimmegee on Friday, 30 November 2007, 10:07am
HIV is still very much with us and, while we in the UK are in the very privileged position of having access to the latest anti-retroviral drugs, this does NOT mean that it's gone away.
There are increasing numbers of HIV infections being reported, and Brighton specialist clinics are busy looking after a constant stream of people living with HIV, the side-effects of the drugs and in some cases the pain and suffering of losing loved ones.
I've not seen a SINGLE red ribbon being worn in Brighton to date so go buy one, support the charities looking after those with HIV and for God's sake protect yourselves when you're out having fun!
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comment 1 said by jimmegee on Friday, 30 November 2007, 10:07am
HIV is still very much with us and, while we in the UK are in the very privileged position of having access to the latest anti-retroviral drugs, this does NOT mean that it's gone away.
There are increasing numbers of HIV infections being reported, and Brighton specialist clinics are busy looking after a constant stream of people living with HIV, the side-effects of the drugs and in some cases the pain and suffering of losing loved ones.
I've not seen a SINGLE red ribbon being worn in Brighton to date so go buy one, support the charities looking after those with HIV and for God's sake protect yourselves when you're out having fun!