Tuesday, November 28, 2006"Rain does not fall on one roof alone." African Proverb December first is World AIDS Day. At this time of year, many look forward to the start of the holiday season and celebrations following behind Thanksgiving. For me, my anticipation led in another direction as I waited for the latest findings in the AIDS Epidemic Update 2006 - the annual report released by the United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 21st.
Why these findings of this global pandemic are not plastered all over our network and cable news is a question that haunts me. While sex, murder, and who's saying or doing whatever to whomever blasts across our papers and screens, the HIV/AIDS Pandemic is only news on the BBC.
Here are the 2006 statistics:
- 39.5 million people living with HIV/AIDS - 2.3 million are under fifteen years old.
- More than 4.3 million are newly infected and over half a million of them are children.
- Three million died this year from AIDS related disease and 13% were children.
- Two-thirds of the people with HIV/AIDS live in sub-Saharan Africa and 59% of them are women.
- Women are more likely to be infected than men, and are usually the caregivers for others with HIV/AIDS. (a 15 year-old girl is a woman) The 15-24 year olds are four times as likely get AIDS as men. By the time they turn twenty-two, 30% will be infected and 10% more in the next two years.
- In the mid eastern and northern parts of Africa, 59% of those infected are also women.
- the majority of the population in South Africa does not believe they are at risk and often refuse testing.
- In South Africa, 50% of those taking national household tests who tested positive did not think they had the disease. When close to 2 million are infected and refused testing or treatment, they infect others.
- Condom use with non-regular partners increased in some urban areas of Uganda, Tanzania and South Africa with an increase in high-risk activity as well
- There are increases in Asian countries, especially in the sex trade
- For the second year in a row, there is a decline in Haiti and the Dominican Republic; however, there is concern that numbers could increase if education and preventative tactics are not increased.
In Africa 6,500 people die every day from HIV/AIDS. I wonder if I am the only one who finds these statistics shocking and unacceptable. These are not just digits on a page. A person is behind every number - a mother, a father, a sister, a brother...
Men are raping babies and children because they believe having sex with a virgin will cure them. I cannot tolerate such injustice, especially when education and medication would make a difference.
"The human toll of the epidemic is undeniable and increasing. The statistics represent the lives of our families and friends, our faith communities and our religious leaders. We all must do more," said Dr. Manoj Kurian of the World Council of Churches.
So many Americans, including people in our region, feel that the suffering of those living in extreme poverty is not our problem. However, in our digital age, every person on this earth becomes our neighbor and in truth, we are all brothers and sisters. We are in this together.
We must look beyond social and religious judgments and promote intensive education. Teaching the citizens of developing nations about this disease (including prevention and treatment) is not only mandatory,it is our duty.
In July of 2005, the world’s wealthiest nations, including ours, promised to donate and support AIDS initiatives. The Global Fund, created to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, approved grants in 139 countries. Their budget is $6.6 billion dollars, contributed by the world’s wealthiest nations. The amount of money originally pledged by our country was not received. As of June 2006, 544,000 people began antiretroviral drugs through this program, which is a 40% increase over the previous six months. But with 39.5 million with HIV/AIDS, this is astart, but barely a dent.
With their current resources, the Global Fund plans to have 1.8 million on these drugs within the next five years. They also have plans motion to promote testing, education and help AIDS orphans.
We have the power and resources to help others in our country as well as around the world. We must remember that our elected officials work for us and encourage them to make the right decisions. Senator Snowe and Representative Tom Allen both voted in favor of the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis. I phoned and e-mailed both of their offices prior to their respective votes. At this point, they are practically on speed dial.
On World AIDS Day, take time to reflect on the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Attend an event such as the program put on by AIDS Response Seacoast. Remember that we have a responsibility to relieve the sufferings of others – especially the children. Together we can make a difference.
Peace -
Bonnie
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NEIDEEP at 10:02 AM
