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“Wednesday, June 27, is National HIV
Testing Day, a time to raise awareness and remind everyone that HIV is still a
concern in our country. ... According to [CDC], HIV incidence in the US has
been relatively stable at approximately 50,000 annual infections between 2006
and 2009.
“We know how to prevent the spread
of HIV, so why can’t we get the number of new infections to go lower, instead
of staying at such a high rate?
“From my experience in education, I
believe that there are several factors at play:
“*Lack of education. Our culture is
conflicted about how to educate young people about sexual health,
decision-making, and risk reduction. As a result, young people are often left
to sort it out on their own. This is a risky way to learn - sifting through the
myths and learning from experience.
“*Finger-pointing. Most people are
comfortable pointing the finger at others, blaming people for being infected
with HIV or blaming the person that passed it on, while ignoring their own
risky behaviors.
“*Stereotypes. Many of us continue
to think that only certain groups of people get HIV. While it is true that some
people are at higher risk due to their behaviors, anyone who has ever had
unprotected sex or shared needles for drug use, tattooing or piercing is at
some risk.
“You can make a difference. Talk to
your friends and family about HIV and AIDS. Learn more about it so you are
clear about what’s true and what’s not. Offer young people a listening ear as
they negotiate relationships, and talk to them about the importance of
accessing health care. Consider getting tested yourself — and take a friend
with you!”
The author is chair of the AIDS
Service Provider Network and director of education for Planned Parenthood of
Central Pennsylvania.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit:
http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
