World AIDs Day By Moses Alfaro and Tue Felix Nguyen

World AIDs Day By Moses Alfaro and Tue Felix Nguyen

It was only 41 years ago when the United States (US) reported the first cases of an unusual and mysterious illness that would soon be later known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDs). The AIDs epidemic of the 1980s disproportionately affected people of the LGBTQIA+ community, specifically gay and bisexual men and other men who have sex with men and transgender women. In the US, there are estimated to be 1.2 million individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), and around 13% of those individuals are unaware of their HIV status.1 From the start of the epidemic, over 700,000 people have passed away from AIDs in the US.2 While there have been downward trends in HIV transmission and mortality rates over the years due to the introduction of novel antiretroviral drugs, this disease still pervades. Currently, great efforts are being made to ensure that this disease is eradicated in the near future.

On December 1st of each year, people worldwide come together to spread awareness regarding HIV and remember those who have passed away from AIDs. This day, known as Worlds AIDs Day, was founded in 1988 and serves to garner support and funding to combat HIV. Globally, it is estimated that 38 million people are HIV positive, so improving public awareness and support is crucial.3 Numerous international and national organizations host various events and spearheaded programs targeting the HIV/AIDs education disparity, such as UNAIDS, which has an “Education Plus Initiative” that aims to reduce the rising HIV transmission among adolescent girls and young women in sub-Saharan Africa. These initiatives are vital to fighting against HIV/AIDs, and without the support of millions of people across the globe, we would not have our current life-saving innovative therapies.

There are numerous ways to show your support and awareness on World AIDs Day. For instance, you can purchase a red ribbon from UNAIDS. The red ribbon’s funds are allocated to programs that combat HIV/AIDs and support girls and women of the LGBTQIA+ community. The ribbon symbolizes solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV and serves as an opportunity to show your support and spread awareness to others. In San Antonio, organizations like Fiesta Youth put on a week’s worth of events starting on World AIDs Day. This year’s theme is “Remembrance and Hope,” and you can participate by attending events such as visiting the Fiesta Youth sponsored National AIDs Memorial Quilt by the Names Project, more information can be found on their website at www.fiesta-youth.org.

While supporting campaigns and spreading awareness is crucial to ending HIV/AIDs and its associated stigma, we should also emphasize the importance of getting tested to know our HIV status. Getting tested significantly helps reduce transmission of this disease, and fortunately, testing is becoming more accessible in the US.

For more information about getting tested, visit www.gettested.cdc.gov to find a local center.

If you are at risk for contracting HIV, consider pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). These drugs can help minimize morbidity and reduce transmission rates of HIV.

If you are interested in learning more about them, please ask your primary care physician for more information.

References: 1. U.S. statistics. HIV.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics 2. Published: Jun 07, 2021. (2022, July 1). The HIV/AIDS epidemic in the United States: The basics. KFF. Retrieved October 15, 2022, from https://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/the-hivaids-epidemicin-the-united-states-the-basics/#:~:text=The%20first%20cases %20of%20what,U.S.) 3. World AIDS Day. (2022, September 21). Retrieved October 21, 2022, from https://www.worldaidsday.org/about/

Moses Alfaro and Tue Felix Nguyen are medical students at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Medicine and members of the BCMS Publications