By: Kimberly McCargo and Salita DeMary
December 1st, World AIDS Day, serves as a crucial reminder of the ongoing battle against HIV and AIDS. This year’s theme, “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress,” emphasizes the importance of unified efforts to realize the vision of an AIDS-free generation. Although significant advancements have been made, there remains essential work to ensure comprehensive care for all individuals and to prevent the further transmission of HIV.
How Far We’ve Come
HIV prevention and treatment has made numerous strides in recent years. Medicines like PrEP prevent HIV in high-risk individuals, while ART helps those with HIV stay healthy and live longer by reducing the virus to undetectable levels, preventing its transmission.
HIV affects certain groups more significantly than others. These differences are known as disparities. In the United States, Black and Latino communities, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals, have higher rates of HIV. Specifically, transgender women and gay men have particularly high rates. Many individuals in these groups encounter challenges such as poverty, limited access to healthcare, or concerns about being treated unfairly.
Call to action!
The only way to achieve an AIDS free generation is by working together.
Here are three things you can do to make a difference:
- Learn and Share: Learn about HIV and why some groups of people are more at risk. Share what you learn with friends and family to help spread the word. When more people understand the problem, we can all work together to fix it.
- Speak Up for Change: Ask leaders in your community to support laws and programs that make healthcare fair for everyone. You can write letters, sign petitions, or join groups that fight for equal healthcare.
- Help Local Groups: Many organizations help people with HIV by offering free tests, medicine, and support. You can help by donating money, volunteering, or joining events that raise awareness. CompleteCare Health Network offers free HIV tests, treatment and support.
If we all work together, we can stop HIV and create a world where everyone has the chance to live a healthy life. This World AIDS Day, let’s promise to keep up the fight and make life better for people living with HIV. Every small step we take can lead to big changes.
Let’s keep the progress going—together!
For more information on HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, please contact CompleteCare Health Network’s HIV prevention team at www.CompleteCareNJ.org or call (856) 451-4700, EXT. 2727 today!