World AIDS Day: Keep the Promise

Today is World AIDS Day and the 25th anniversary of the first recognized cases of the disease. The theme for this year’s annual observance is “Keep the Promise.”

The promise to which we are referring, was made six years ago when world leaders made a promise to halt and begin to reverse the spread of AIDS by 2015. However new reports by UNAIDS and the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that, as of 2006, the epidemic continues to spread in every region of the world.

To date around 65 million people have been infected with HIV and AIDS has claimed the lives of more than 25 million people since it was first recognised in 1981. The vast majority of the 38.6 million people living with HIV in 2005 are unaware of their status.

AIDS is among the greatest development and security issues facing the world today.

In 2005 AIDS claimed the lives of 2.8 million people and over 4 million people were newly infected with the virus.

At around 17.3 million, women make up almost half of the total number of people living with the virus, 13.2 million of which live in sub-Saharan Africa (76% of all women living with HIV).

Sub-Saharan remains the most affected region in the world. Two thirds of all people living with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa where 24.5 million people were living with HIV in 2005.

Growing epidemics are underway in Eastern Europe and Central Asia where 220,000 people were newly infected with HIV in 2005.

Declines in HIV prevalence have been noted in Kenya, Zimbabwe, urban parts of Haiti and Burkina Faso and four Indian states including Tamil Nadu.

Here in the United States, at the end of 2003, an estimated 1,039,000 to 1,185,000 persons in the were living with HIV/AIDS. In 2004, 38,730 cases of HIV/AIDS were diagnosed in the 35 areas (33 states, Guam, and the US Virgin Islands) with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has estimated that approximately 40,000 persons become infected with HIV each year.

In 2004, the largest estimated proportion of HIV/AIDS diagnoses were for men who have sex with men (MSM), followed by adults and adolescents infected through heterosexual contact. MSM accounted for 70% of all estimated HIV infections among male adults and adolescents in 2004 (based on data from 35 areas with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting), even though only about 5% to 7% of male adults and adolescents in the United States identify themselves as MSM. The number of HIV diagnoses for MSM decreased during the 1980s and 1990s, but recent surveillance data show an increase in HIV diagnoses for this group. This increase points to a continued need for culturally appropriate prevention and education services.

Almost three quarters of HIV/AIDS diagnoses were for male adolescents and adults.

According to the 2000 census, African Americans make up 12.3% of the US population. However, African Americans accounted for 19,206 (50%) of the estimated 38,730 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the United States in the 35 areas with long-term, confidential name-based HIV reporting.

During 2001–2004, the rate of HIV/AIDS diagnoses for African Americans decreased, although the rate for African Americans was still the highest rate for all racial and ethnic groups.

The primary mode of HIV transmission among African American men was sexual contact with other men, followed by heterosexual contact and injection drug use.

The primary mode of HIV transmission among African American women was heterosexual contact, followed by injection drug use.
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Expecting world leaders to hold to their promise may seem like a tall order, but there are things we can all do as individuals to contribute to the global effort.

First, educate yourself. Know the facts about HIV/AIDS, what it is and how it is transmitted from person to person. Don’t make assumptions about your own risk level or the health status of people with which you come in contact.

Second, share your knowledge with others. Correct misinformation and don’t fall victim to other’s assumptions or assertions about who is or isn’t at risk.

Third, take responsibility for your own actions. Maintaining your health is your responsibility, not that of any potential partner. Understand the risks and take necessary precautions to keep yourself safe from infection, even if others are reluctant to do so.

UNAIDS LINK

World Health Organization LINK

Centers for Disease Control, National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention LINK

National Minority AIDS Council LINK

National HIV Testing Resources LINK