HIV/AIDS: a global challenge

Due to the commemoration of the International Day of Action against HIV/AIDS on December 1st of each year, it is important to remember and keep in mind that HIV is much more than a disease or a clinical issue, the repercussions it has on society are of high impact. Its prevention depends to a large extent on social practices and the levels of information and education regarding the virus and its modes of infection and transmission.

HIV has no preference for any specific social group; it does not differentiate between beliefs, sexual orientations, socio-economic status or race. We are all vulnerable to acquiring the virus regardless of our beliefs, practices or social status.

In 2011, the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS, UNAIDS, presented the latest global study on the state of HIV and these are some of the most relevant figures in this regard:

• Worldwide, 34 million people are living with HIV.

• Nearly 60% of people living with HIV are unaware of their HIV status and consequently, this hinders their ability to care for themselves and their loved ones.

• In 2010, there were 2.7 million new HIV infections, including an estimated 390,000 children.

• In Latin America, there are approximately 100,000 new HIV infections per year. This figure has remained stable from 1996 to the present.

• In 2010, 48% of pregnant women with HIV received effective treatment to prevent new infections in children.

• Thanks to the early initiation of antiretroviral therapy treatment, the number of people dying from AIDS-related causes fell from 2.2 million to 1.8 million in 2010.

• The figures reflect not only the severity of the disease worldwide, but also the existence of increased access to and significant improvement in antiretroviral treatment. However, in many countries of the world, prejudice and misinformation are the generality, identified as one of the major obstacles to timely and adequate prevention and care for people living with HIV.

Undoubtedly, strengthening the education system in countries is key to combating these major obstacles. All States must guarantee the provision of adequate information, education and support for HIV prevention and treatment, so that people will have more tools to know their rights and duties in the face of HIV, combat its spread and try to eradicate it.