Nov 30 2008
Your role on WORLD AIDS DAY
December 1 is World AIDS Day. Individuals and organizations from around the world will work together on this day to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate unity to fight this deadly disease.
2008 marks the 20th anniversary of this day. This year’s theme is ‘Lead-Empower-Deliver’. It’s importance lies in the fact of highlighting both political leadership needed to fulfill commitments made earlier as well as celebrating the leadership that has been witnessed at all levels of society.
We still have a long way to go. Achieving the political commitments made on HIV will require a stronger leadership, increased financial resources as well as proper co-ordination between various agencies.
What can you do on WORLD AIDS DAY?
1. Post an article on your blog. It need not be a health blog. For example, if you have a technology blog. you can talk about the latest technology that can be used to spread awareness about HIV. And if you have a sports blog, you can talk about sports agencies supporting HIV. If you need any more suggestions for your blog or if your post is up on your blog, please post in the comments section below.
2. Write a letter to the editor or an opinion column for your newspaper.
3. Gather more information about HIV and AIDS. I’ve gathered some links that you might want to see. They’re at the end of the post.
4. Talk about HIV prevention with friends and colleagues.
Long term measures:
1. Get tested for HIV. It is estimated that approximately one in five persons living with HIV in the US is unaware of his/her infection and may be unknowingly transmitting th evirus to others.
2. Practice safe methods to prevent HIV.
3. Decide not to engage in high rish behaviors.
4. Provide support and donate money to people living with HIV/AIDS.
Further Reading:
UNAIDS: The Joint United National Programme on HIV/AIDS
National HIV and STD Testing Resources
I forgot tomorrow was World AIDS Day. I don’t know any people personally with HIV or AIDS but last year I found out my cat had Feline HIV. It was devastating. She’s doing ok though. She can live a pretty long life. I just have to make sure I get her to the vet once a year for vaccines and not get any other cats.
Loislane: Oh my, that’s sad.
Ari Tickett: Sure, I will
Shravan: Yes, the drugs that are available right now only delay the progression of AIDS. But there was a report about a bone marrow transplant done on an American in Germany who was declared cured. But, tests are still being conducted for a final word.