It’s been nearly three decades since the world first became aware of the human immunodeficiency virus otherwise known as HIV, the disease that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). HIV has since become an epidemic ravaging entire nations across the globe and redefining sexual intimacy for an entire generation.
In America alone, there are an estimated 1,106,400 people living with HIV, 21 percent of which were undiagnosed, in 2006.
A disproportionate number of those cases occurred within the African American community. In 2006, African Americans made up 43 percent of the 56,300 new HIV infection cases. Not only that but 34 percent of those new infections were among people ages 13–29. With new infections numbering in the thousands and nearly a quarter of the people living with HIV unaware of their status, the threat of this virus still remains high and without proper education it will continue to claim more lives.
Part of the problem is that many people are still unaware of the facts about HIV, safe sex and testing in general, especially young people. With all of the stigma surrounding sex and HIV, many parents are unwilling to discuss sex with their kids. Schools across the nation can educate kids about abstinence, but many are unable or unwilling to teach them about safe sex practices. Even adults are unaware of the various forms of barrier methods and testing sites available to them.
To help fill the educational void, health organizations in the Atlanta area such as The American Red Cross previously provided training for ordinary individuals to speak with others in their communities about HIV and teach them how to engage in safe sexual activity. This kind of service was invaluable as it stands to reason that people would be more comfortable learning about HIV and safe sex from members of their own community, which, in turn, strengthens individual bonds, and increases the shared the knowledge of the community.
Unfortunately, this kind of educational training is no longer readily available, leaving everyday people to their own devices to find information on HIV and safe sex. As long as information about HIV and safe sex remains difficult to come by for the average person, HIV will continue to disproportionately affect the lives of people in Atlanta and across the globe. –nicholas robinson
