World AIDS Day

To most casual observers of AIDS, which is to say, most people who haven't known anyone afflicted with HIV, the situation seems to be improving rapidly. While this view is not without foundation when looked at from one (narrow) perspective, the reality is far more complicated and determined by class than most media accounts suggest.

The fact is that the spread of HIV and AIDS continues to be a major challenge across the globe, the epidemic is growing and there is concerning evidence that some countries are seeing a resurgence in new infection rates that were previously stable or declining.

According to the UNAIDS/WHO 2006 AIDS Epidemic Update, an estimated 39.5 million people are currently living with HIV. There were 4.3 million new infections in 2006 with 2.8 million (65 percent) of these occurring in sub-Saharan Africa and significant increases seen in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, where there are indications that infection rates have risen by more than 50 percent since 2004. The latest National AIDS Control Organization report showed 72,000 new HIV infections in 2005, compared to 28,000 in 2004 – a 157 percent jump. Most of the new infections are in the 22 to 45 age group. In 2006, 2.9 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses.

This Saturday's World AIDS Day -- the nineteenth -- is trying to keep these facts present in the minds of those whose energy and money have been crucial in combating the disease in the past. Started on December 1, 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, fighting prejudice, improving education and reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

The day is also an important opportunity for activists to galvanize public and legislative sentiment behind campaigns like Planned Parenthood's call for Congress to halt funding for harmful abstinence-only programs that deny teenagers life-saving information about preventing infections like HIV/AIDS and the National AIDS Housing Coalition's push for policy-makers worldwide to acknowledge the link between stable housing and positive health outcomes when addressing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment.

Here are some ways you can support World AIDS Day, courtesy of the Avert website:

• Help save a child's life in an AIDS-affected community by becoming a HopeChild sponsor through WorldVision. (All it takes is one dollar a day.)
• Raise awareness of HIV and AIDS in your area by wearing a red ribbon and ask others to do the same.
• Sign up as a supporter of the Stop AIDS in Children campaign.
• Protect yourself and your partners--this is the first and best way to stop the spread of HIV.
• Put up some posters--get people talking.
• Organize a creative writing/poster campaign.
• Set up a debate or a quiz - there are lots of ideas for topics on the Avert site.
• Get your friends, family, colleagues or pupils to express their feelings about AIDS.
• Learn more about HIV and AIDS: avert.org has a great deal of information about AIDS and the global epidemic.

There are also related concerts, panels, parties and all sorts of other events taking place across the globe on Saturday. Check out this site for details.

Comments (16)

1. Well, two points...

   1. Is there ANYTHING more ridiculous than pushing abstinence-only programs, in Africa or ANYWHERE? They do not work and when they don't...people get sick and die.

   2. Always said that the "sex talk" I give to my kid...I lay down two rules. The only two that I'll absolutely insist on ...

   #2--Treat the other person like you'd want to be treated.

   #1--Condoms....EVERY time. No exceptions.

   Keep up the good fight on this one, PETER.

   Posted by Mask at 11/30/2007 @ 12:11pm

2. Thank you MASK. I continue to think that The Nation is having a good influence on you--and we are likely benefiting from your libertarian perspective as well.

   Posted by Peter Rothberg at 11/30/2007 @ 12:12pm

3. Don't worry ZERO--you're much too kind! I spend all too much time selfishly pursuing my own self-interest!

   Posted by Peter Rothberg at 11/30/2007 @ 12:31pm

4. Posted by ZERO 11/30/2007 @ 12:20pm

   yep. i saw mr. rothberg in the audience on the WWE SMACKDOWN last night.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 11/30/2007 @ 12:35pm

5. great list of things to do to support the eradication of this scourge.

   here's one more:

   get yourself tested.

   frequently if need be.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 11/30/2007 @ 12:39pm

6. we are likely benefiting from your libertarian perspective as well.----Posted by PETER ROTHBERG 11/30/2007 @ 12:12pm

   Well, again....could you mention that to your boss?...heheh

   BLOG | Posted 11/12/2007 @ 11:53pm Jonathan Demme on The Other Politician He'd Like to Film by Katrina vanden Heuvel

   There's a reason Nation bloggers moan when they see Mask has posted. The guy is almost invariably meanspirited, bleak and eager to knock down anything good that stands in his way.----Posted by KATRINA VANDEN HEUVEL 11/13/2007 @ 11:32am

   Posted by Mask at 11/30/2007 @ 12:46pm

7. this is interesting:

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_HIV/AIDS_adult_prevale nce_rate

   and then there's this:

   WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 -- The District of Columbia has the highest rate of AIDS infection of any city in the country and the disease is being transmitted to infants, older adults, women and heterosexual men at an epidemic pace, according to a report released Monday by city health officials.

   The report said more than 12,400 people in the city -- about 1 in 50 -- are living with AIDS or H.I.V., the virus that causes AIDS.

   @ [nytimes.com]

   $473,070,835,098 sure buys a lot of condoms.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 11/30/2007 @ 12:57pm

8. Posted by MASK 11/30/2007 @ 12:46pm

   it'll be ok, mask...not everybody can be all the teachers' pet...

   Posted by ibbleblibble at 11/30/2007 @ 1:09pm

9. (Everyone has AIDS!)

   My brother and my dog Old Blue!

   The Pope has got it and so do you!

   Come on everybody we got quiltin to do!

   We're gonna break down these barricades,

   Everyone has AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDSAIDSAIDSAIDS

   AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS AIDS

   ...AIDS

   Posted by MATTMAN at 11/30/2007 @ 1:10pm

10. Posted by IBBLEBLIBBLE 11/30/2007 @ 1:09pm

    Just funnin', ol PETE.

    Posted by Mask at 11/30/2007 @ 1:24pm

11. ZERO -- It's just a dirty rumor...

    Posted by Peter Rothberg at 11/30/2007 @ 4:10pm

12. It's just a dirty rumor...

    Posted by PETER ROTHBERG 11/30/2007 @ 4:50pm

    SOON TO BECOME FACT.

    Posted by SMEARMACHINE 11/30/2007 @ 4:10pm

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/30/2007 @ 4:51pm

13. Always said that the "sex talk" I give to my kid...I lay down two rules. The only two that I'll absolutely insist on ... #1--Condoms....EVERY time. No exceptions. Posted by MASK 11/30/2007 @ 12:11pm

    ...fair enough, Mask - but one question: Did you rely on a broken condom to become a daddy???

    ;)

    Posted by elziax at 12/01/2007 @ 1:56pm

14. AIDS is a political crisis. Don't stop your action at just wearing a ribbon going to a vigil or donating to a service agency: TAKE DIRECT ACTION!

    Check out the Student Global AIDS Campaign: http://fightglobalaids.org/ and ACT UP: http://www.actupny.org/ or http://www.critpath.org/actup/

    Posted by tnewmILRF at 12/01/2007 @ 4:12pm

15. Posted by ELZIAX 12/01/2007 @ 1:56pm

    We adopted.

    Posted by Mask at 12/01/2007 @ 8:17pm

16. Maybe Aids is "Malthus' Revenge"

    Posted by leftofcenter at 12/03/2007 @ 09:48am