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MEDICAL YEAR
IN REVIEW

World AIDs Day

By Moses Alfaro and Tue Felix Nguyen

I t was only 41 years ago when the United States (US) reported the Day. This year’s theme is “Remembrance and Hope,” and you can par-

ticipate by attending events such as visiting the Fiesta Youth sponsored
first cases of an unusual and mysterious illness that would soon be
later known as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDs). The
AIDs epidemic of the 1980s disproportionately affected people of the National AIDs Memorial Quilt by the Names Project, more informa-
tion can be found on their website at www.fiesta-youth.org.
LGBTQIA+ community, specifically gay and bisexual men and other While supporting campaigns and spreading awareness is crucial to
men who have sex with men and transgender women. In the US, there ending HIV/AIDs and its associated stigma, we should also emphasize
are estimated to be 1.2 million individuals living with human immunod- the importance of getting tested to know our HIV status. Getting
eficiency virus (HIV), and around 13% of those individuals are unaware tested significantly helps reduce transmission of this disease, and for-
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of their HIV status. From the start of the epidemic, over 700,000 people tunately, testing is becoming more accessible in the US.
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have passed away from AIDs in the US. While there have been down-
ward trends in HIV transmission and mortality rates over the years due For more information about getting tested, visit
to the introduction of novel antiretroviral drugs, this disease still per- www.gettested.cdc.gov to find a local center.
vades. Currently, great efforts are being made to ensure that this disease
is eradicated in the near future. If you are at risk for contracting HIV, consider pre-exposure prophy-
On December 1st of each year, people worldwide come together to laxis (PrEP) or post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). These drugs can help
spread awareness regarding HIV and remember those who have passed minimize morbidity and reduce transmission rates of HIV.
away from AIDs. This day, known as Worlds AIDs Day, was founded
in 1988 and serves to garner support and funding to combat HIV. If you are interested in learning more about them, please ask your
Globally, it is estimated that 38 million people are HIV positive, so im- primary care physician for more information.
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proving public awareness and support is crucial. Numerous interna-
tional and national organizations host various events and spearheaded References:
programs targeting the HIV/AIDs education disparity, such as UN- 1. U.S. statistics. HIV.gov. (n.d.). Retrieved October 15, 2022, from
AIDS, which has an “Education Plus Initiative” that aims to reduce the https://www.hiv.gov/hiv-basics/overview/data-and-trends/statistics
rising HIV transmission among adolescent girls and young women in 2. Published: Jun 07, 2021. (2022, July 1). The HIV/AIDS epidemic
sub-Saharan Africa. These initiatives are vital to fighting against in the United States: The basics. KFF. Retrieved October 15, 2022,
HIV/AIDs, and without the support of millions of people across the from https://www.kff.org/hivaids/fact-sheet/the-hivaids-epidemic-
globe, we would not have our current life-saving innovative therapies. in-the-united-states-the-basics/#:~:text=The%20first%20cases
There are numerous ways to show your support and awareness on %20of%20what,U.S.)
World AIDs Day. For instance, you can purchase a red ribbon from 3. World AIDS Day. (2022, September 21). Retrieved October 21,
UNAIDS. The red ribbon’s funds are allocated to programs that com- 2022, from https://www.worldaidsday.org/about/
bat HIV/AIDs and support girls and women of the LGBTQIA+ com-
munity. The ribbon symbolizes solidarity with the millions of people Moses Alfaro and Tue Felix Nguyen are medical stu-
living with HIV and serves as an opportunity to show your support dents at UT Health San Antonio Long School of Med-
and spread awareness to others. In San Antonio, organizations like Fi- icine and members of the BCMS Publications
esta Youth put on a week’s worth of events starting on World AIDs Committee.

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