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A series of articles by guest writers for World AIDS Day
Part of AVERT's World AIDS Day 2012 campaign, ‘Reflections on the Epidemic’ are a series of articles by guest writers. Our guest writers range from global leaders, writers, experts, activists, physicians and people personally affected by HIV and AIDS; and they represent various countries, experiences and backgrounds from all over the world. We are grateful to all our guest writers for their effort and the diverse and insightful viewpoints that they contributed to the world’s response to HIV and AIDS. We will be re-featuring these articles over the next few weeks on a weekly basis. Browse through this week’s featured articles, and see the full list below. |
We have come so far when it comes to HIV/AIDS, yet still at times I
feel like we are so behind. Now that HIV is treatable, we as Americans
have become complacent. HIV may not mean death, but let’s be
realistic, it is a life sentence. A life of pills, doctor visits, blood
work and X-rays with a lifetime of worrying if death is around the
corner if you simply sneeze. I do not understand why we are not arming
our family members and neighbours with the tools to protect themselves
from something that is 100% preventable.
Why are we OK with silently allowing millions to become infected with
HIV while spending tax dollars on treatment for something that is
avoidable? Why do we turn a blind eye when it comes to HIV/AIDS,
we act as if HIV/AIDS is everyone else’s problem when in reality
it is everyone’s issue, you are either affected or infected with
HIV. As the times change and our children deal with more adult
responsibility, why do we not have more detailed and extensive health
classes truly highlighting the consequence of our actions or the
choices we make?
As a child born with HIV I did not have a choice, but so many do, you have a choice to talk to your sexual partners about HIV testing, you have the choice to educate our youth on making wise choices with their bodies. I truly believe if more effort were put into providing HIV/AIDS awareness in our schools and on TV and radio as it once was in the early 90’s we would truly see a decline in the number of people contracting HIV.
We ask ourselves, why aren’t people getting the message? But, as the old saying goes, ‘Out of sight out of mind’. Now is the time to re-engage the world in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
It is also important to be less judgemental when we think of those
living with HIV or AIDS. There is a stigma attached and we sometimes
look at people as if they did something morally wrong and that is why
they contracted HIV. We do not look at a person who has lung cancer and
say, ‘That is what they get for smoking cigarettes’, so why
the double standard?
If we were less judgemental I believe more people would be willing to
be tested for HIV. The fight against HIV/AIDS is truly just about us
loving and protecting our fellow human beings.
Hydeia Broadbent is an International HIV/AIDS Activist & Humanitarian and one of Ebony Magazine's, The Root's, and TheGrio.com's (division of NBC News) Power 100 for 2011.
Hydeia is featured on AVERT's page HIV and AIDS among African Americans.
Image: 'A red AIDS ribbon on the front of the White House on World AIDS Day 2007,' copyright: AVERT / Graham Pembrey. 'Hydeia Broadbent', courtesy of Hydeia Broadbent.
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Meeting the challenge of stigma in Iran Words are not enough: Where is the genuine support for an AIDS-free generation? Narrow escape Going beyond the silver bullet approach A new generation of awareness Mothers at the forefront of change A few simple actions against AIDS The reality of beginning the end of AIDS In the balance — HIV and the Law Striving for an AIDS free generation of adolescents A broken unity: An American reflection on the epidemic Universal access for people who use drugs: Not just a pipe dream In pursuit of a cure The future of antiretroviral treatment Ending paediatric AIDS A future of possibilities Riding the waves of HIV |
The Paediatric HIV response in the context of AIDS optimism HIV/AIDS Care begins at home HIV/AIDS in Uganda: Myth to reality Why beauty is a great weapon in the fight against HIV/AIDS HIV Walk, unravels the epidemic The importance of Parliamentary voices in the AIDS response Women breaking the stereotype Resources for a rights based approach to address the HIV/AIDS pandemic AIDS - It’s not over Backing the community response Gogo-getters become elders Getting to zero The search for common humanity at the heart of the AIDS response AIDS is still hot in India Why involve women with HIV? |
All opinions expressed in 'Reflections on the Epidemic' do not necessarily represent those of AVERT. |
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