« Bee Smart | Main | Saving the Bryant Room »

June 5, 2006

AIDS 25 Years

Today is the anniversary of the day that AIDS was first reported in this country. It is staggering to realize that AIDS has been around for 25 years, and scary to think that people around the world are still dying from this preventable disease. Consider these words from AmFar, an organization dediated to AIDS research:

"AIDS has surpassed even the direst of epidemiological predictions. Today, no region on earth remains untouched by the virus, which continues to stay one step ahead of the best minds in biomedical research. * Worldwide, approximately 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. * Women today comprise half of all infections worldwide. For a variety of biological and socioeconomic reasons, women especially young women are at increased risk of infection. * An estimated 15 million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. * With half of all new infections occurring in people under 25, a whole new generation of young people is now in the crosshairs of the pandemic. * Sub-Saharan Africa has been decimated by AIDS. Without adequate treatment and prevention efforts, Eastern Europe and Asia will be the next epicenters of the epidemic. * Most people with HIV/AIDS live in the developing world, where a majority do not have access to lifesaving antiretroviral treatment.

The story of AIDS is still being written. Today powerful drugs make it possible to live with HIV for many years, but there is still no cure and no vaccine, and though we know exactly how to prevent new infections, 40,000 are recorded each year in the U.S. alone. Until we find a cure or a preventive vaccine, we must do everything possible to improve HIV treatment and to support the research that will ultimately bring an end to the scourge of AIDS."

We lost a close family friend to AIDS in 1991. I was pregnant the last time I saw him and he wouldn't let me kiss him hello because even though they thought they understood how it was spread, he didn't want to take a chance. Advances have been made in the medical field and people diagnosed with the HIV virus are living longer and longer in the United States, but the disease continues to spread. The answer is two words that are the "cure" for many of our social ills, are especially true in this case -- research and education.

Posted by Michele at June 5, 2006 10:31 AM

Comments

Post a comment




Remember Me?