By Mike Ott
The 1st of December is an important day, marking not just the beginning of the holiday season for many, but the recognition of World AIDS Day. This important date is a time to recognize those who have been lost to the HIV/AIDS pandemic over the past four decades, as well as to celebrate life, activism, and continued progress toward a cure and combating stigma.
A United Nations study found that, by 2020, between 27.2 million and 47.8 million people have died as a result of AIDS, and that another 37.7 million are currently living with HIV. Luckily, thanks to years of scientific work and public health campaigns, as well as activist efforts, the death rates and stigma around HIV/AIDS have plummeted drastically. Since a 2004 peak, the death rate of AIDS has decreased by a whopping 64%.
After years of working tirelessly to destigmatize AIDS and show that the disease can affect anyone, regardless of sexual orientation, the world has seemingly moved closer to this understanding.
Ongoing HIV/AIDS activism heavily focuses on PrEP access and awareness, and the U=U campaign, both of which seek to reduce transmission and fears of the disease.
Though it applies to other diseases too, PrEP, which is short for Pre-exposure Prophylaxis, is a term commonly used to refer to Descovy and Truvada, two medicines that massively reduce one’s chances of contracting HIV, even if exposed. These drugs come in pill form, and a new drug, Apretude, is taken as a shot. These medicines are extremely effective at reducing risk of contraction, though Descovy is not recommended for those assigned female at birth who may be at risk via vaginal intercourse. Studies have shown that PrEP is up to 99% effective at preventing transmission of HIV between partners!
The U=U campaign is another important part of modern HIV/AIDS activism, and is short for “Undetectable equals Untransmittable.” Basically, if a person with HIV or AIDS is taking their antiretroviral meds properly, their viral load will be so low that they are incapable of transmitting HIV. Undetectable (low viral load) means Untransmittable (HIV cannot be transmitted to someone else). Regular viral load monitoring is required to remain considered undetectable.
Though many medical statistics will refer to something being effectively zero, they still come with the understanding that there is an extremely slim chance of someone becoming an exception. However, studies have shown that the chance of transmitting HIV when someone is undetectable is actually zero. This is a massive breakthrough for people living with HIV/AIDS, allowing them to remove fear of transmitting, and for those who do not have HIV/AIDS to massively reduce their own fear of contracting it.
Though HIV and AIDS were once considered a death sentence, and some people refused to even enter the same room as a patient with the disease, intense activism and awareness have helped move the world toward a new understanding, and World AIDS Day is one way of recognizing that fact. Those who contract HIV/AIDS can live a completely normal, long, and healthy life, as the disease has become extremely manageable.
However, there is still much work to be done. Those with HIV/AIDS still face heavy discrimination from their peers, society, and potential sexual partners. Additionally, PrEP remains largely inaccessible to people with low or no income, and is almost impossible to access in many parts of the world. Many people still die from AIDS, with some studies finding that over 600,000 people worldwide died in 2022 from AIDS-related problems.
But, there is hope on the horizon. PrEP and U=U recognition are becoming widely accepted and even mainstream, and there is even a potential cure on the horizon. As of February 2023, five people have been cured of HIV, and scientists are working to increase that number. This December, though World AIDS Day has passed, take the time to recognize the tireless work of HIV/AIDS activists, the memory of those who have been lost, and the bravery of those still living.
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Thanks to Toronto Pflag volunteer Mike O. for this wonderful essay to bring greater understanding about World AIDS Day (Dec. 1st)