Global AIDS day

Today is the 20th anniversary of the World AIDS Day Campaign. It's a day when politicians, activists, academics, and people who are affected by this disease stand in solidarity with one voice and one mission, and renew their pledges to do everything they can to combat AIDS.

The Global AIDS Campaign has a site where you can read more about what's being done around the world, plus ways to become involved.

This year's theme is Leadership, an ideal that is sorely needed in this fight. From the campaign's Web site:

Leadership encourages leaders at all levels to stop AIDS. Building on the 2006 theme of accountability, leadership highlights the discrepancy between the commitments that have been made to halt the spread of AIDS, and actions taken to follow them through. Leadership empowers everyone – individuals, organisations, governments – to lead in the response to AIDS. (Source)

Health and Human Services (HHS) has an AIDS campaign that contains facts, news, testing information, prevention, and treatment and care.

The HHS has identified ways that you can participate in getting the word out about today:

Participate in a Blogging Call to Action on December 1st

AIDS.gov and the National Institute on Drug Abuse are partnering with Blog Catalog to host “Bloggers Unite on World AIDS Day. ” We invite bloggers to write about HIV/AIDS on December 1. If you are not a blogger, ask your favorite blogger to join the event.

Link People to HIV Testing Centers via Text Messaging

To find an HIV testing site near you, send a text message with your ZIP code to “KNOWIT” (566948) or visit www.hivtest.org. Promote KNOWIT by copying the code at http://www.aids.gov/knowit.html and pasting it on your profile, website, or blog.

Attend the World AIDS Day Event in Second Life

Join us in Second Life for a World AIDS Day Musical Festival on November 30 and on December 1 for a World AIDS Day event that will feature HIV/AIDS presentations and displays, tours, writing workshops, and virtual red ribbons and t-shirts. For more information, visit the Second Life World AIDS Day page .

Tell people about the CDC’s New HIV Incidence Data

CDC recently published national HIV incidence (new infections) that showed an estimated 56,300 new HIV infections occurred in 2006—that’s substantially higher than the previous 40,000 estimated annual new infections. Visit the CDC’s website to learn more.

So, on this day join me in spreading the word about AIDS, and make or renew your pledge to do everything you can to protect yourself and others, help protect yourself and others, and demanding that your country's commitment to stop this disease is being followed through.

South Africa changes its policies on HIV/AIDS

A couple of weeks ago we discussed the situation in South Africa with regards to its policies on HIV/AIDS. Specifically, we read Sonia Shah's article on AIDS denialism in South Africa under the "guidance" of President Thabo Mbeki, and about the various rumors about how HIV/AIDS is "cured" through herbal remedies, unprotected sex, and rituals.

Last week, a new Minister of Health was sworn in in South Africa. She brings with her a renewed commitment to combatting HIV/AIDS, and has made it her mission to dispell many of the common misconceptions about the disease. Also, one of her goals as incoming Minister, is to facilitate access to anti-retroviral drugs.

Most importantly, her ministry has for the first time in over a decade, admitted publicly that there is no denying that HIV causes AIDS. Remember, that was a point of contention under the former president, Thabo Mbeki, and health minister, "Dr. Beetroot"/"Dr. Garlic", Ms. Tshabalala-Msimang, who described ARVs as "toxic", and strongly advocated replacing them with traditional herbal medicine.

Some data for you:

HIV/AIDS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Number of people with HIV: More than 5.5m

Percentage of the population with HIV: 11%

Patients receiving ARVs in June: 495,000

Patients in need of ARVs: 520,000

Reported HIV/Aids deaths: 591,000

Sources: South Africa At A Glance 2008-09, UN Human Development Report 2007, Avert

This is going to be very interesting to watch the impact of the new policies, and whether or not the tide will turn on the spread of HIV, and the number of HIV/AIDS related deaths in South Africa

Sources:
CNN: S. Africa U-turns on HIV/AIDS treatment
BBC: New era for S Africa Aids fight?