December 1 is World AIDS Day. I find a lot of people still have many misconceptions about HIV/AIDS. So I wanted to clear up some myths and lay down some facts because knowledge is key! First of all, there is NO CURE, and NO VACCINE. In fact, according to a new study released by Casey House this week, “The rate of HIV infections in Ontario continues at nearly the same levels as during the mid-1990s, with approximately 1,000 Ontarians newly diagnosed each year.”
FACTS:
• A total of 1.8 million people died from AIDS-related causes worldwide in 2009.
• 2.7 million people were newly infected with HIV worldwide in 2010.
• About 2,500 new cases of HIV are confirmed each year in Canada.
• About 58,000 Canadians are living with HIV/AIDS.
• 1 in 120 adults in Toronto is HIV positive.
• Every day, two Torontonians are newly infected with HIV.
• More than 1 in 4 new HIV diagnoses in Toronto are among young people under 30.
• 65% of new infections in Toronto occur in men who have sex with men.
• Women represent 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses in Toronto.
According to the same study by Casey House, although Aboriginal people make up only 4 per cent of Canada’s population, they account for nearly 12 per cent of all new HIV infections.
Not only are the numbers alarming, people living with HIV and AIDS still face stigma and ignorance. There are some people who cannot tell their families that they are Positive. Imagine not being able to tell your loved ones that you are living with a chronic illness for fear of losing them. Even in Canada the stigma and discrimination still exists and it is unacceptable.
In Canada, although HIV/AIDS is as prevalent as ever, government funding continues to be cut. The Harper government is making little to no ground in HIV prevention. In fact, they are going backwards. The federal government tried to shut down a safe injection site in Vancouver, but thankfully the Supreme Court of Canada shot down that movement. Insite, the safe-injection site in Vancouver has proven to reduce the rate of new HIV infections in the area. Knowing this, the Harper government needs to open up more of these sites all across Canada, especially in the big cities like Montreal and Toronto.
And this week, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford specifically CUT funding to HIV and drug abuse prevention programs.
So what can we do?
Safer sex! Use a condom! Straight people, that means you too! No one is immune… Women account for one-quarter of all new positive HIV tests in Ontario.
Knowledge is power and information is key! So, GET TESTED! Below is a list of ways to get yourself checked:
In Toronto click here.
In Montreal click here
In Vancouver click here
In Hamilton click here
If you know someone who is living with HIV/AIDS, be there for him or her. Offer a loving hand because compassion can give them the strength they need.
If you are living with HIV/AIDS your self, know that you are not alone. And have hope. AIDS is no longer the death sentence it once was. There are new advances in research every year. Have hope that a cure will be found. And trust that there are people and programs out there who you can lean on, such as these:
Casey House
AIDS Committee of Toronto
The AIDS Network
Canadian AIDS Society
AIDS Program South Saskatchewan
Ontario HIV Treatment Network
And finally, HIV/AIDS programs need your help more than ever. Please donate or volunteer. I’ve compiled a list of great organizations below:
AIDS Committee of Toronto
Casey House
Canadian AIDS Society
Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research
ALSO! Check out the UN’s Getting To Zero Campaign.
