Yes

by James R Coffey

Created on: December 04, 2010

According to the latest statistics on the global HIV and AIDS epidemic published by UNAIDS in November of 2010, since the first cases of AIDS were identified in 1981, more than 25 million people have died from AIDS-related conditions or symptoms. In fact, an estimated 1.8 million people died in 2009 alone. And despite years of research and the development of more than 20 antiretroviral drugs approved for the treatment of HIV infection in the US and Europe, there are an estimated 33.3 million people currently living with HIV and AIDS worldwide, with 2.6 million people believed to have become infected with HIV in 2009. Disheartening statistics to say the least. But fortunately, not all the news is bad.

As the UNAIDS report shows, despite the continued rate of global infection, statistics indicate that among young people aged 15 to 24 in 15 of the most severely affected countries around the world, HIV prevalence has actually fallen by more than 25% as a growing number of young people have adopted safer sexual practices. By any measure, this is indeed very encouraging news. Thus, the focus shifts from “Will we ever find a cure,” to “What has led to this unprecedented change in the course of this dreaded disease?” And, perhaps more importantly, “What can be done to make this trend continue?”

As those of us who have media access are aware, there are many inescapable realities concerning the spread of HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus), the onset of AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), and subsequent treatment options. The most disquieting, perhaps, is that despite considerable financial investment and concerted research over the course of the past three decades, there is still no vaccine for HIV, and the long-anticipated “microbicides” (pharmacologic and chemical substances capable of preventing HIV from being passed on during sex) are still only in the trial stages. But that doesn’t mean that science hasn’t made considerable headway into understanding how this mysterious disease effects the human body, and what we can do to help control it. Because while HIV can infect anybody, we now know that it can be prevented. Now, we just need to spread the word.

As research has shown, the Human Immunodeficiency Virus is spread in five primary ways: 1) unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person, 2) contact with an infected person’s blood, 3) use of infected blood products (in the past, many people were infected through blood transfusions), 4) injecting drugs (sharing needles), and 5) from mother to child, transmitted during pregnancy, delivery, and/or breastfeeding. Thus statistically, certain groups of people such as injecting drug users, sex workers, prisoners, and men who have sex with men have thus far been hit hardest by HIV. But that doesn’t mean this pattern has to continue.

There can be no question but that education is the key-currently, the only key-to preventing the spread of HIV, and most likely accounts for the recent 25% decrease among youth. In that HIV can be contracted by having sex with an infected person even a single time, it’s essential that the word be spread that the only options currently available are “safer sex,” and the decision not to have sex at all.

“Safer sex” refers to behavioral choices that can minimize the risk of HIV infection during sexual activity: essentially, using condoms consistently and correctly during intercourse, or opting for sex that doesn’t involve any blood or sexual fluid passing from one person to another, such as masturbation. (Vaginal, anal, and oral sex all involve the possible transfer of bodily fluids.) No sex at all, while obviously the safest choice, is one most often chosen by those truly understanding the risks involved with sexual activity. Thus, while current statistics would indicate that knowledge about HIV is increasing among youth, the reality is that the message isn’t spreading fast enough or reaching far enough yet. What good is preventative information if it isn’t available to everyone?

Misconceptions and misunderstandings about how HIV can and cannot be transmitted abound, and vary culture to culture throughout the world. (A surprising number of American teens believe HIV cannot be contracted through oral sex, and so feel safe doing it.) Thus, a comprehensive, culturally appropriate HIV sex education program is essential to stopping the spread, utilizing the vast array of communication technology currently available, presented through lessons in the schools, media campaigns, and various peer education forums. Such a program should provide detailed information about how to practice “safer sex,” develop skills and attitudes that encourage healthy sexual relationships, and empower youths choosing to abstain. And with youth today becoming sexually active at younger and younger ages, such a program needs to become a top funding priority worldwide, implemented vigorously.

Statistically, it takes about ten years on average for someone with HIV to develop AIDS. This means that every minute not dedicated to spreading HIV prevention information to our youth is an opportunity lost to reach the next kid about to cross into dangerous sexual territory due to ignorance; a young adult about to choose risky behavior over “safer” sex. Obviously, with so many lives already lost to this horrifying and often fatal disease, there can be no greater concern than the health and well-being of our children. Because while many of us won’t live to see the end of this plague in our lifetime, with continued preventative efforts, many of our children may.

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