Friday 01-12-2017 - 09:28

Never forget: Worlds AIDS Day.

Today on the 1^st of December is Worlds AIDS Day, which takes place annually. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. The 2017 theme is “Increasing Impact through Transparency, Accountability, and Partnerships”  

The first recognised cases of AIDs were reported in the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) on June 5, 1981. The illness was undefined at that point and labelled as pneumocystis pneumonia.

Today, many scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. But despite this, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV, the stigmas and discrimination that currently remains as a reality for many people living with HIV. World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public and Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Around 100,000 people are currently living with HIV in the UK and globally, an estimated 34 million people have been diagnosed as HIV positive. More than 35 million people have died from the virus, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV and put your knowledge into action. If you understand how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today – you can use this knowledge to take care of your own health and the health of others, and ensure you treat everyone living with HIV fairly, and with respect and understanding. There are a number of points to which you can get tested locally such as: The Hants Lane Clinic, Milton House on Ruff Lane and your local GP.

World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for NAT (National AIDS Trust) and show your support for people living with HIV simply wearing red ribbons. I will be showing my support by wearing a red ribbon for the entire day and would like to ask each of you to please join me.

Although World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to get the public talking about HIV and fundraise, we need to remember the importance of raising awareness of HIV all year round. That’s why NAT has launched HIVaware— a fun, interactive website which provides all the information everyone should know about HIV. Stay on the lookout for S.A.F.E Week (Sexual Awareness for Everyone) in February for more information and provision of sexual health awareness from your Students’ Union.

 

You can also seek support if you have been affected by HIV or know someone who has by contacting the British Red Cross, Terrence Higgins Trust and the Edge Hill Students Unions’ advice centre. If you feel like you’d like to speak to someone, I am always here to talk to.

 

In Solidarity,

Edge Hill Students Union’s LGBT+ Officer

Yasmin Lee