12/1/2023 “World Aids Day” By Kaylee McGrath

Opening Statement:

An estimated 40 million people worldwide have died of AIDS since 1981, and an estimated 37 million are living with HIV, making it one of the most important global public health issues in recorded history. Despite recent improvements in treatment, the AIDS epidemic still claims an estimated two million lives each year, of which more than 250,000 are children. World AIDS Day is dedicated to spreading awareness of the AIDS pandemic spread by the spread of HIV infection, and to mourning those who have died of the disease. First recognized in 1988, World AIDS Day falls on December 1st each year.

History Of World Aids Day

· Initiated in 1998 and observed on December 1, World AIDS Day was the first time ever a health day was observed globally. The day is an opportunity for everyone around the world to come together in the fight against the disease and stand in solidarity to support those suffering from HIV, as well as remember those who lost their lives to this illness.

· The idea to observe World AIDS Day was conceived to make the most of a media gap between the U.S. presidential elections of 1988 and Christmas. Broadcast journalist James Bunn, who had newly taken a post at the World Health Organization, believed that after a year of election campaigns, the public would be drawn to coverage of AIDS on air. Along with his colleague Thomas Netter, Bunn assessed December 1st as the ideal date for the observance and spent the following 16 months planning and executing the inaugural event.

· The theme of the first World AIDS Day was centered on children and youth, to create greater awareness amongst the target age bracket, and the impact of AIDS on their lives and their families. It was also made apparent that AIDS was not limited to commonly stigmatized groups such as drug users.

· From 1996 onwards, the observance of World AIDS Day was taken over by the United Nations Programmer on HIV/AIDS, expanding the campaign to an annual education and prevention campaign. The World AIDS Campaign was registered as a nonprofit organization in 2004 in the Netherlands.

World Aids Day Timeline

1920s - A Pandemic Surfaces

The HIV-1 strain of virus emerged to circulate in Kinshasa, closely related to a virus found in chimpanzees

1981 - U.S. Recognition

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports on AIDS for the first time

1986 – 1 million Americans Impacted

According to “The New York Times,” one million Americans are affected by HIV this year.

1987 - First Antiretrival Drugs

AZT (zidovudine) is the first drug available to treat HIV.

2013 - "A Functional Cure"

12 of 75 people treated in a French study were “functionally cured” of HIV, not experiencing a return of the virus even after stopping antiretroviral therapy.

Why World Aids Day Is Important

· AIDS Impacts Everyone

In its early years, some criticized World AIDS Day for focusing on children and young people, but organizers aimed to alleviate some of the stigma surrounding the disease as primarily affecting gay men, boosting recognition of it as a family disease. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age, globally, and of 1.8 million new HIV infections in 2016, 43% were among women.

· Getting To Zero

Since 2012, the multi-year theme for World AIDS Day has been achieving zero new HIV infections, zero deaths from AIDS-related illnesses, and zero discrimination. In 2016, new infections among young women aged 15 to 24 were 44% higher than they were among men in the same age group, which suggests the high-profile AIDS-related deaths of male celebrities such as Freddie Mercury, Robert Mapplethorpe and Rock Hudson have continued to overshadow realities of new infection rates amongst women in the public imagination. World AIDS Day seeks to challenge those perceptions and protect everyone.

· Equalizing Access to Treatment

Research shows that stigma associated with sex work and LGBT populations, internationally, is a growing factor in unequal access to effective treatment. International AIDS funding began to fall for the first time in 2015, but still, less than half of those suffering from HIV/AIDS have access to anti-retroviral treatment across the world. It’s never been more important to draw attention to the inequalities in treatment, in order to stop its spread once and for all.

How To Observe World Aids Day

· Wear A Red Ribbon

Wearing a red ribbon in your lapel is the most broadly recognized way of showing your support on World AIDS Day. Red symbolizes blood, and the pain caused by the disease, anger about global inaction to fight the epidemic, a warning to take the disease seriously, and a symbol of love, passion, and tolerance towards those affected by the disease. Check online to find a ribbon supplier that supports a charitable cause.

· Donate To an AIDS Charity

There are a host of national and international nonprofits devoted to fighting the disease and problems associated with its spread. Check online and consider whether you’d like to support an organization in the United States, where deaths have been declining since the mid-1990s but infection continues to affect thousands of people each year, or perhaps an organization focused on infection in Sub-Saharan Africa, where Adult HIV Prevalence has reached 1 in 20 people and 1.2 million people die of HIV/AIDS each year.

· Attend A Candlelight Vigil

Most major cities in the U.S. host candlelight vigils on World AIDS Day as a way of visually commemorating those lost to the disease and vowing to fight it in the future. Check online to find a vigil near you and head along to show your support. Don’t forget to share your experience on social media to ensure that the idea is brought to the front of mind for your friends, and to demonstrate your support.

Closing Statement:

The many things I learned from researching and writing this article was, HIV originated from viruses in chimpanzees and monkeys. Unfortunately, because most people don’t always feel sick, or do not show symptoms for years, it is possible to be infected for a long period of time and feel fine. However, the transmission of the infection during this time is still possible. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in five people living in the U.S. don't know they have the virus. Another important indicator is minorities are infected more and new cases of HIV infection are most predominant in minority groups. This is due to a variety of factors, including lack of education, poverty, and stigma. Children are just as much in danger and reports have stated since the end of 2011, over 3 million children around the world have been living with HIV.

Source of Information: Various Google Searches

Until Next Week, Stay Safe and Well!