By Malcolm Brown
International Contributor
World AIDS Day is held on December 1st each year. According ot the Foundation of AIDS Research, at the end of calender year 2011, more than 34 million people were living with HIV/AIDS, 3.3 million of them were under the age of 15 and since the beginning of the epidemic, more than 60 million people have contracted HIV and nearly 30 million have died of HIV-related causes
OK. This is terrible, but what can I do about it? I'm just one person. How can I make a difference? There are numerous things you can begin this World AIDS Day and continue throughout the years to come. These are just 7 to begin with.
1). The number one thing you can do on World AIDS Day is to get tested for HIV and make sure you know your status. The vast majority of new infections occur because HIV+ people don't know they are HIV+.
2). Make your voice heard via the ballot box. Ensure your elected officials know you care about HIV and want to see them take action. Write letters and/or emails to them so your voice is heard. Ask your MP to show HIV leadership this World AIDS Day and every day by ending stigma and discrimination!
3). Use social media. If you have a Facebook or a Twitter account, add a red ribbon to your user photo, post a HIV/AIDS awareness red ribbon or symbol on your time line or tweet one. It's easily done and it reminds all your friends and followers that HIV/AIDS is still a global pandemic. Write a post saying what world AIDS Day means to you.
4). Educate your local GP and Nurses. If there isn't an NGO in your area, form a group of concerned citizens an encourage health care professionals in your area to update, or just gain some knowledge of HIV. Those HIV+ people who die, do so in part, due to a late diagnosis. GPs and nurses are often in a position to identify symptoms of HIV infection if they are aware of them as well as considering other risk factors, if they know what they are, that could lead them to recommend an HIV test.
5). Demand that Governments to improve HIV education in schools, or to initiate it if it doesn't exist. Ignorance is not bliss!
6). Talk to your local religious/faith leaders. In some areas this may prove difficult. However, it is better to begin a reasoned dialogue than shout at each other from across an abyss. Often adverse reactions of a religious community can have very detrimental on the health of people living with HIV who have strong religious beliefs. If a person feels they have the support and understanding of their community, this is likely to have a decidedly positive impact on the way they manage their HIV response. However, if a person feels rejected or unsupported they may very well become isolated and are far less likely to stay well.
7). Reflect for a moment. Remember those who have passed and think of those currently living with HIV. Let their images and memories energize and galvanize you into action today, and every other day! (for Mirvan Ereon).
So Viral Brothers and Sisters, stay healthy, stay adherent and get active!
Credits: amfAR, The Foundation of AIDS research. http://www.amfar.org/about_hiv_and_aids/facts_and_stats/statistics__worldwide/
"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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