World AIDS Day focuses on promoting education

by Courtney Bullard, co-news editor

An estimated 40,000 new HIV cases were reported in the United States last year.        

They were among the 4.3 million people from around the world who contracted the disease. Of the 3 million people who died from AIDS in 2005, 12,000 were Americans. It continues to run rampant.

  World AIDS Day is Dec. 1, and it is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic.  AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is a collection of symptoms and infections from damage to the immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).  Although there are many treatments to decelerate the progression of the virus, there is no cure.

“World AIDS Day is the focus of an international effort in promoting education on the new horizon in the way of treatments, programs and helps to find a way to get medications to countries in need,” said Ann Henneman, the women’s health practitioner for South Plains Community Action in Levelland. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2005, the estimated number of diagnoses of AIDS in the United States and dependent areas was 41,897. Of these, 40,608 were in the 50 states.  In the 50 states, adult and adolescent AIDS cases totaled 40,540, with 29,766 cases in males and 10,774 cases in females.

There also were 68 cases estimated in children under age 13. Also, in 2005, an estimated 1,836 cases of AIDS cases were diagnosed in people ages 20-24.

Around the world, people are already planning World AIDS Day leadership activities, either holding local leadership forums celebrating great leadership in different communities, or planning events, which call for greater leadership.  World AIDS Day is no longer just about raising awareness on issues such as stigma or defenselessness.  Instead, the day marks a global opportunity to call for all promises on AIDS to be kept. 

 In collaboration with national, regional, international and constituent partners, the pledge asks people from all over the world to take the lead to stop AIDS.  This is the reason for the new theme, “Take the Lead. Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise”.   

 The World AIDS Campaign has launched the Stop AIDS Leadership Pledge.  These pledges will be used to create exhibitions, banners and other actions during major events in 2008. With a goal of at least 100,000 signers, these pledges will serve as a persuasive tool for improved political leadership on universal access to AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. 

 The Global Coalition on Women and AIDS states that women account for just about half of the HIV infections worldwide.  Improving prevention options for women requires both expanding current prevention strategies and developing new technologies that enhance women’s ability to protect themselves.

 For free HIV testing, go to South Plains Community Action, located at 411 Austin St., in Levelland. The number is (806) 894-6104. They are also located in Lubbock and Plainview.  For more information on how to participate in World Aids Day, visit www.worldaidscampaign.org.