Sunday, December 1st marked the 25th anniversary of World AIDS day. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has become one of the world’s most serious health and development challenges:
- 33.4 million are currently living with HIV/AIDS.
- More than 25 million people have died of AIDS worldwide since the first cases were reported in 1981.
- In 2008, 2 million people died due to HIV/AIDS, and another 2.7 million were newly infected.
- While cases have been reported in all regions of the world, almost all those living with HIV (97%) reside in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.
- According to the World Health Organization (WHO), most people living with HIV or at risk for HIV do not have access to prevention, care, and treatment, and there is still no cure.
- The HIV epidemic not only affects the health of individuals, it impacts households, communities, and the development and economic growth of nations. Many of the countries hardest hit by HIV also suffer from other infectious diseases, food insecurity, and other serious problems.
- Despite these challenges, there have been successes and promising signs. New global efforts have been mounted to address the epidemic, particularly in the last decade. Prevention has helped to reduce HIV prevalence rates in a small but growing number of countries and new HIV infections are believed to be on the decline. In addition, the number of people with HIV receiving treatment in resource poor countries has increased 10-fold since 2002, reaching an estimated 4 million by 2008.
Overview compiled with information from WHO , USAID and Kaiser Family Foundation .
While I was at Blogalicious back in October, I had an opportunity to hear a presentation done by Oraquick. Oraquick has developed the first in-home oral HIV test.
I was lucky enough to receive a kit while at the conference and I’m offering the chance for one of my lucky readers to receive a kit of their own! Giveaway starts 12/2 and ends at midnight on 12/9. Good luck! Remember to also link up with the rest of the Motivation Monday crew!
I was at the ora quick presentation as well. I liked what they said about drilling it into the next generation to “know your status” the same way it was drilled into mine to use condoms.
I have been looking for Ora Quick in my area (Philly) but have yet to see it in stores. I’d love to win another one as it is important to be tested periodically.
It’s such a simple thing but so many people are scared to get tested even though they participate in very risky behavior.
Its almost scary how AIDS/HIV have spread so rampantly. People fail to realize that you have to be careful and know the status of your partner and yourself. Thank you for this post. It’s important in our community that we see the facts and better understand them.
I remember a girl I worked out found out a guy she was “hooking up” with was also sleeping with several other woman…all unprotected. And she said she was too scared to get tested…what the hell!
In high school, my boyfriend’s brother passed away from AIDS. I’ll never forget the stigma he faced but he used his experiences to educate others. He was such an inspiration and motivation.
That is great that he was able to educate others. It’s the stigma and ignorance about the virus that makes it continue to spread and effect so many people.
Great post, I wrote a similar article for another blog, but I focused on how the epidemic is affecting Black Women. It really is the one of leading killers of this demographic, and it has so much to do with education, stigma, social-economics…
If we could get rid of the stigma it would help save so many lives. I can’t believe in this day and age that people are still so risky and careless with their bodies.
I have never understood why people would have sex without a condom. It just makes no sense to me.