Photo: © UNAIDS
As it happens with other diseases, every year there is a day dedicated to raise public awareness of AIDS. Since 1987, December 1 is the World AIDS Day and right now the big challenge is the most ambitious ever: get to zero - get to zero new infections, get to zero AIDS-related deaths and get to zero discrimination. The slogan is catchy and the efforts are finally seeing some outcomes. As I've written before, 2011 saw unprecedented progress in science, political leadership and results regarding AIDS.
The red ribbon became the symbol of the fight against HIV/AIDS. This simple ribbon embodies years of struggle against discrimination and ignorance. The red ribbon became the universal symbol of awareness and support for those who live with HIV. It represents a tribute to all who died with AIDS and at same time a new hope for all those who were infected and could witness the progress of science to help them. That progress is not yet available to everybody in the world, but we want to believe we are in right path.
Thirty years ago, the slogan "get to zero" wouldn't cross the mind of anyone. There was a long way to be done and that way included a global alliance against AIDS, the enrollment of agencies, governments and civil society to fight AIDS, the hard work all over the world to make diagnosis and treatment available to everybody. The fight against AIDS is perhaps the best example of how global health became a need to face the problems and find solutions... globally. There are still a lot of difficulties to overcome, namely about the funding, as I've also written before. But thanks to what was done, we can now face those difficulties with hope and determination. It's an everyday work and we all be needed to achieve a AIDS-free generation: each one of us has an important role to play in order to prevent the spread of HIV. It's everybody's problem and we all can help by fighting against discrimination of those who live with HIV, fighting against ignorance by educating others about HIV, donating, participating in campaigns or being a volunteer. Each one of us can make a difference and we are together on this. Is there another way?
Thirty years ago, the slogan "get to zero" wouldn't cross the mind of anyone. There was a long way to be done and that way included a global alliance against AIDS, the enrollment of agencies, governments and civil society to fight AIDS, the hard work all over the world to make diagnosis and treatment available to everybody. The fight against AIDS is perhaps the best example of how global health became a need to face the problems and find solutions... globally. There are still a lot of difficulties to overcome, namely about the funding, as I've also written before. But thanks to what was done, we can now face those difficulties with hope and determination. It's an everyday work and we all be needed to achieve a AIDS-free generation: each one of us has an important role to play in order to prevent the spread of HIV. It's everybody's problem and we all can help by fighting against discrimination of those who live with HIV, fighting against ignorance by educating others about HIV, donating, participating in campaigns or being a volunteer. Each one of us can make a difference and we are together on this. Is there another way?
Video: © UNICEF
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