Today is World AIDS Day. Whether you are aware of it or not, somebody you know has seen their life changed as a result of HIV and AIDS.
The purpose of World AIDS Day is to spread awareness of AIDS. The disease, which compromises the human immune system and renders sufferers vulnerable to illnesses that would not otherwise be able to cause significant harm, was first recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 1981. With a death toll of more than 25 million over three decades, and an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide living with HIV as of 2007, you would think that spreading awareness was no longer necessary.
Unfortunately, nothing could be further from the truth. Much more is currently known about HIV and AIDS than was known even a decade ago. Many scientific advancements have been made with regard to medical treatment of HIV. Discrimination against those suffering from HIV and AIDS is widely prohibited. Yet much of the public is still unaware of how HIV spreads, as well as how to protect themselves from transmission of the disease. World AIDS Day exists in part to educate the public, and in doing so, to help people protect themselves.
As stated above, progress has been made in treating HIV and AIDS, and in improving the quality of life of those suffering. This does not mean that the disease is in any way less dangerous than it was in the past. It is for this reason that World AIDS Day is perhaps more important today than it was upon its inception. But raising awareness about HIV and AIDS isn't something that can be confined to a single day each year. It is vital that we as a society understand the risks, know how to protect ourselves, and treat those afflicted with respect.
For more information, please visit the World AIDS Day home page.
6 comments:
Amen... HIV/Aids really changed the world. I've lost some friends to it.
The bad thing about those diseases once they've been around for a while, we tend to negate them.
~shoes~
As your friend, knowing you have lost people too. I love you for this. I have debated all day and for the last couple weeks as there was a call for writing. I just couldnt keep myself emotionally neutral enough to do it. I miss my brother too much. *hugs*
Great post. Amazingly enough, I know not a single soul who has had it nor have I ever heard any of my friends ever mention knowing someone who has it. At least off the top of my head. Such a horrible, horrible thing it is and I hope they one day find a way to prevent the spread.
I saw the AIDS quilt when in came to my JC and was moved beyond words. Like Vincent, I don't personally know anyone affected by it, but we did have a patient at the hospital a while ago who had it. Apparently her husband cheated on her and gave it to her. And she got pregnant. It was such a sad situation, but what was even sadder was the attitude and ignorance of some of my co-workers, who actually refused to take care of her. Really?! In this day and age when we know so much about it and how it's spread?! I was utterly appalled...
Wow Mia, that really scares me. One would think at this point the medical community especially would be more enlightened. I made sure my boys learned about Ryan White and some of the other discrimination as well.
Red Shoes: Sorry to hear of your losses. It's easy, given recent advancements in medicine, to think the disease has somehow been diminished. Thus, the public needs to continually be made aware of just how vulnerable it is, and just how dangerous the disease can be.
Sxybklvr: Hugs back. Neither of us have ever lost a close relation, but our lives have certainly been affected by the disease. We can't imagine how it must feel to lose a sibling to anything, much less AIDS, and our hearts go out to you. We were both very aware of Ryan White, and the lessons he taught us about not only the disease, but about tolerance and respect of those who suffer, must never be forgotten. Thank you for making sure your sons know of him.
Vincent: You may not know anyone personally who's had it, but surely you know of an entertainer who has. Kevin Peter Hall, who played the predator in Predator and Predator 2, died of AIDS-related pneumonia in 1991. Given that I know you like at least the first film in the series, it's a somewhat abstract, indirect instance of the disease affecting you.
Mia: The story you relate is particularly tragic, but any such case of medical personnel treating someone afflicted in such a reprehensible, disrespectful manner is certainly appalling. It's because of this that education and awareness are essential.
-Jack
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