Every minute 11 new people are infected with the AIDS virus and 500,000 children die each year from it. The physical effects of AIDS on the body are well documented. However, the psychological and social effects are reaching epidemic levels, especially in poorer countries.
The National AIDS Trust, based out of England, works to end the rise in AIDS and HIV cases. The NAT's main event, World AIDS Day, Dec. 1, strives to raise awareness and provide funding for AIDS research.
With this year's theme of \Stigma and Discrimination,"" World AIDS Day attempted to debunk the myths still lingering about AIDS. Fear and ignorance are leading causes of the kind of discrimination World AIDS Day attempts to combat.
The most common factors that lead to the ""stigma and discrimination,"" according to World AIDS Day supporters, are fears of contracting HIV and the belief that AIDS is a moral punishment for those afflicted. These sentiments in some societies have led to the idea that living with AIDS or HIV is somehow shameful.
While these attitudes exist in the United States, they are even more widespread in poorer countries. Studies in 1997 and 2001 by the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS discovered that AIDS discrimination is especially problematic in areas like India and Uganda.
""Nobody will come near me, eat with me in the canteen. Nobody will want to work with me. I'll be an outcast there,"" said one Indian 27-year-old HIV-positive man to UNAIDS.
Problems like this are prevalent in many African nations where AIDS has devastated entire populations. The problem is even more profound within families in these countries.
""I was isolated. My family deserted me. Even my father, who gave my hand in marriage [to the man who infected me], never bothered to visit me even when my husband was very sick. I was so disappointed and annoyed because it was my father who arranged this marriage. He no longer cared,"" an AIDS infected woman in Uganda said to the UNAIDS.
Organizations like the NAT and UNAIDS are working towards ending this kind of prejudice. The NAT collaborates on a worldwide effort to promote programs on AIDS awareness, sexual safety and research. This year MTV aired a forum on AIDS awareness. Other events included concerts and benefits for AIDS organizations and the red ribbon campaign.
Local events are also happening including a talk by Sharon Sopher, an award-winning human rights advocate and filmmaker Wednesday Dec. 4 at 7 p.m. in 1270 Grainger Hall. Other events include a red ribbon campaign at the Kohl Center and Bascom Hill.
Visit www.worldaidsday.org or www.unaids.org if you would like to donate money or time or to learn more about World AIDS Day or UNAIDS.
