Worldwide AIDS Statistics
People newly infected with HIV in 2002: 5 million
AIDS deaths in 2002: 3 million … that’s over 8,000 deaths per day
Estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS at the end of 2002: 42 million
Total of AIDS deaths at the end of 2002: 28.1 million
Total number of AIDS orphans: 13.2 million
If AIDS has started out primarily amongst heterosexuals would the totals above be as large as they are today? The perception of AIDS being the “gay disease” certainly wouldn’t be attached to it then. Would that have made the response time to the AIDS crisis quicker? Would the campaign for AIDS awareness be having more impact then?
Sadly, the link between homosexuality and AIDS will always be there. This makes AIDS awareness a tricky thing (in my opinion). Heterosexuals view the disease as something that doesn’t effect them. Gays now view the disease as less of a threat because the advent of better drugs. It does seem like there is a “who cares … it won’t happen to me” attitude out there. I was in high school in the late 80’s and it was very much in the front of everyone’s mind back then. Now it seems to have slipped into the background … like a monster that’s getting ready to leap from some dark corner. We know it’s there but don’t want to look. It is scary, but we have to face it to make a difference in the staggering statistics that are listed above. Safe sex has always been the answer for the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Practice it. Don’t be afraid to discuss it with your partner. Don’t let the “heat of the moment” comprise your judgment.
Local Resourses:
Western North Carolina AIDS Project
Haywood County/North Carolina Resources