A day of remembrance and hope

In 1988 the World Health Organization designated December 1 as World AIDS Day. In the ensuing 19 years, significant progress has been made in fighting the feared disease; but at the same time, this progress has been insufficient to stop the HIV virus that causes AIDS from continuing as a global threat.

The good news is that HIV and AIDS are no longer a death sentence, at least not in the most developed nations like our own. The virus is considered treatable and preventable, while combinations of drugs have controlled its deadly spread.

International organizations estimate that global infection has stabilized in recent years at 33 million. Africa is the region where the spread is still out of control, representing 72% of all new cases around the world.

While new knowledge about the illness is quickly disseminated, the same is not true for life-saving medications. Drugs essential to reduce loss of life still fail to reach the corners of the globe where they are needed most, due to their high price and the limitations imposed on their production.

In our country, HIV and AIDS still take a disproportionate toll on Latinos and especially African-Americans. More efforts are needed to promote HIV testing and measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

In this regard, we are concerned by the fact that immigrants, the least adapted to the new culture, are the most likely to contract HIV and not be tested, according to a recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles. This result is a call for more confidential services in Spanish, including access to testing and counseling.

This day serves to recognize the progress made in the fight against AIDS and to acknowledge that there is still a long way to go to stop this global threat. In the meantime, we recall loved ones who are no longer with us, with the hope that this day of remembrance will become a day of celebration when a cure is found.

In 1988 the World Health Organization designated December 1 as World AIDS Day. In the ensuing 19 years, significant progress has been made in fighting the feared disease; but at the same time, this progress has been insufficient to stop the HIV virus that causes AIDS from continuing as a global threat.

The good news is that HIV and AIDS are no longer a death sentence, at least not in the most developed nations like our own. The virus is considered treatable and preventable, while combinations of drugs have controlled its deadly spread.

International organizations estimate that global infection has stabilized in recent years at 33 million. Africa is the region where the spread is still out of control, representing 72% of all new cases around the world.

While new knowledge about the illness is quickly disseminated, the same is not true for life-saving medications. Drugs essential to reduce loss of life still fail to reach the corners of the globe where they are needed most, due to their high price and the limitations imposed on their production.

In our country, HIV and AIDS still take a disproportionate toll on Latinos and especially African-Americans. More efforts are needed to promote HIV testing and measures to prevent the spread of the disease.

In this regard, we are concerned by the fact that immigrants, the least adapted to the new culture, are the most likely to contract HIV and not be tested, according to a recent study by the University of California, Los Angeles. This result is a call for more confidential services in Spanish, including access to testing and counseling.

This day serves to recognize the progress made in the fight against AIDS and to acknowledge that there is still a long way to go to stop this global threat. In the meantime, we recall loved ones who are no longer with us, with the hope that this day of remembrance will become a day of celebration when a cure is found.

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