Editorial = Only Human
- Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about increasing awareness, education and fighting prejudice. World AIDS Day is important in reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.
- According to UNAIDS estimates, there are 38.6 million people living with HIV, including 2.3 million children, and during 2005 some 4.1 million people became newly infected with the virus. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.
- Around 95% of people with HIV and AIDS live in developing nations. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world.
- At the end of 2005, an estimated 330,000 people were living with HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean. Some 37,000 people were newly infected during 2005, and there were 27,000 deaths due to AIDS.
- In three of the seven countries in this region - the Bahamas, Haiti and Trinidad and Tobago - more than 2% of the adult population is living with HIV. Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa, making the Caribbean the second-most affected region in the world. More than half of adults living with the virus are women.
- AIDS is now one of the leading causes of death in some of these countries, with Haiti being the worst affected. An estimated 16,000 lives are lost each year to AIDS in Haiti, and tens of thousands of children have been orphaned by the epidemic.
- Stigma and Discrimination continues to drive this epidemic forward in our region as persons are afraid to get HIV tested and know their status; some think that they may already be infected so, what’s the point; many still think that ‘only’ certain types of people are at risk to HIV infection; and others still believe persons who are infected deserve it, because of deviant lifestyles.
- Though the majority of countries have opted for a strategic priority in Prevention activities, much work is to be done for those who are infected and affected, in the areas of Treatment, Care and Support. Our great concern this World AIDS Day should be - What can we learn about ourselves and do for those persons living with HIV and AIDS?
- Perhaps this approach can bring about a behaviour change that in turn will reduce the rate of new infections, as we listen to the issues and better understand the needs of persons in our communities living with the virus. As such, this entire edition is dedicated to provide information on HIV and AIDS Treatment and Care.
Dennis James - DENI
Project Director
MSM: No Political Agenda - MSMNPA
The Republic of Trinidad & Tobago
Tel: 1 (868) 694 1530 / 685 0555
Fax: 1 (868) 694 1531
Email: office@msmnpa.org office@msmnpa.org
Website: www.msmnpa.org
