I found a very sobering story from CBC yesterday: The United Nations has released a report estimating that over 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, it says that:
- 4.9 million people were infected in the last year.
- 3.1 million people died of AIDS-related illnesses in the last year.
- Only one in ten HIV-positive people have been idetified through testing.
- Rates have increased in all areas of the world, except for the Carribbean.
- 64% of all new infections occur in Sub-Saharan Africa.
How does one even begin to wrap one's head around these numbers? They're simply immense. Nothing like this has ever been seen before in recorded history.
For me, the strangest thing is that even though I am living in an African city and have been for over three months, I still have yet to meet a single HIV-positive person. This isn't to say that they aren't around, but rather I've never known a person who has admitted to being postive. Quite simply, it isn't talked about. The issue is out there, with billboards, stickers, t-shirts - all warning people to abstain and/or be faithful and use a condom (commonly known as the ABC method). It's an invisible killer - and that's the most dangerous thing about it. How do we stop it? Thank goodness friends of mine like Emeka at Carleton are setting up awareness organizations. We need people like them more than ever.
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