Once regarded as a ‘gay white man’s disease’ in its early discovery in the 1980’s, the AIDS pandemic, which is caused by the spread of HIV infection, disproportionately impacts the Black community in the US and globally. According to Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Blacks only represent 12 percent of the U.S. population however, they accounted for nearly 46 percent of people diagnosed with HIV at the end of 2007.
In their 2001 ‘Report Global HIV/AIDS Epidemic, NIAID reported that there estimated 40 million people worldwide – 37.2 million adults and 2.7 million children younger than 15 years – were living with HIV/AIDS. It is further noted that 70 percent of these people (28.1 million) live in Sub-Saharan Africa and about 8.4 percent of all adults in this age group are HIV-infected. Additionally, in 16 African countries, the prevalence of HIV infection among adults aged 15 to 49 exceeds 10 percent.
Despite continuous campaigns to raise awareness and promote safe sex and improved access to antiretroviral treatment, the AIDS epidemic continues to spread among the Black community. Stigmatization, discriminatory laws and criminalization of HIV transmission have all been noted as being a contributing factors to the exacerbation of the disease. These factors lead many to question why someone will want to come forward and receive advise and testing if they face the risk of prosecution. Advocates also note the fact that cheap generic antiretroviral drugs have been slow to reaching many of those in needs, due to blocks caused by the major pharmaceutical companies.
Cultural traditions and beliefs, particularly in many African countries such as the notion that having sex with a virgin will rid infected individuals of the disease are also noted as barriers to eradicating the disease.
Although there is currently no cure to AIDS, there is still a lot we can do to minimize the impact of the disease. Awareness and promotion of sexually safe practices are two of the main ways of achieving this. Also, policies that encourage open dialogue and acknowledgment of the disease as a serious and legitimate health issue will also encourage people affected by the disease to come forward and seek the help they need. This World AIDS day, lets all do our part. Research, ask questions, promote and practice safe sex and get tested!
What is Race or Color is Aids?
Is is Black?
Is it White?
Is it Red ?
Is it Yellow?
What nationality is it?
What language does it speak?
Who cares
It is killing us whether Black, White, African, European, Asian, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist and what have you.
That is the biggest racist on earth
Why waste our time talking about who did what?
Let us put our great minds and solve the issue
Let us protect each other because AIDS is against you and I
Recognizing World AIDS Day
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