Even though AIDS has been around for more than two decades,
health officials see the need to eliminate stigma about the
disease.
”
Live and Let Live: Eliminate Stigma and Discrimination
”
is the theme of the 13th annual World AIDS Day celebrated
today.
Even though AIDS has been around for more than two decades, health officials see the need to eliminate stigma about the disease.
“Live and Let Live: Eliminate Stigma and Discrimination” is the theme of the 13th annual World AIDS Day celebrated today.
San Benito County is not immune from the disease. Since 1981, there have been 30 reported cases of AIDS, according to the California State Department of Health Services. Of those 30, 18 have died from the disease. One HIV case has been reported since officials started compiling numbers in 2002.
The World AIDS Day encourages people to break the silence and barriers to effective HIV/AIDS prevention and care.
Stigma and discrimination are major obstacles to prevention. Stigma and fear of discrimination prevents people living with HIV from acknowledging their HIV status publicly, according to the World AIDS Day Web site.
People with, or suspected of having, HIV may be turned away from health care services, denied housing and employment, shunned by their friends and colleagues, turned down for insurance coverage or refused entry to foreign countries.
“Many of the clients I work with express feelings of sadness and isolation and, despite this, are working very hard to maintain a sense of normalcy to their lives and the lives of their families,” said Patricia Morales with the San Benito County Health and Human Services Agency in a statement.
In 2002, 5 million people acquired HIV – there are now 42 million people in the world living with HIV and AIDS.
The stigma attached to HIV/AIDS may extend to the next generation, placing an emotional burden on children who may be trying to cope with the fluctuation of their parent’s health.
“Although many children might be too young to know exactly what is wrong with their parent, they know much of the physical burden which can include countless doctor appointments, complicated pill regimens and a slew of side effects,” Morales said in the statement.
World AIDS Day is all about education.
“Education is the most powerful weapon in the fight against AIDS stigma and discrimination,” said Sam Perez with the county Health and Human Services Agency in a statement. “I believe discrimination is based on fear of the unknown.
“The clear facts are that HIV can be transmitted, but most importantly, it can be prevented. People can protect themselves by practicing safer sex, using condoms and by not sharing drug-injecting equipment.”
For more information on HIV or AIDS, visit www.worldaidsday.org.
