CDC Marks 30 Years of HIV/AIDS Awareness
CDC Marks 30 Years of HIV AIDS Awareness Thirty years ago this month—on June 5, 1981, to be exact—the first scientific account of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was published by the Centers for Disease Control
CDC Marks 30 Years of HIV/AIDS Awareness
Thirty years ago this month—on June 5, 1981, to be exact—the first scientific account of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) was published by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Over the last three decades, extraordinary progress has been made in treating and preventing HIV. In fact, thanks to global awareness and prevention efforts, annual new infections have decreased by 66% since the height of the epidemic. Today, HIV affects more than 33.3 million persons worldwide, with 1.1 million living in the United States. Reversing the course of this epidemic requires global action, for which the CDC has created the awareness campaign Act Against AIDS.
The campaign, a collective effort of the CDC and Department of Health and Human Services, is aimed at people of all ages, but specifically people under the age of 30—the age group currently experiencing the greatest number of new infections. The campaign’s theme is “9½ minutes,” symbolic of the time separating each new HIV infection in the US.
Increased awareness of HIV/AIDS is critical to preventing the spread of this deadly disease, and oral health care workers are well positioned to help in this effort. Continuing education is key, not only in learning about HIV/AIDS, but also in keeping up to date with the latest asepsis standards. The CDC estimates that US prevention efforts have thus far prevented more than 350,000 new infections and averted $125 billion in treatment costs. Furthermore, treatment advances have allowed people living with HIV to live longer, healthier lives.
To mark 30 years of HIV/AIDS awareness, the CDC, with guidance from the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, will implement HIV demonstration projects in 12 communities greatly impacted by this disease. The organization hopes this targeted approach, combined with the Act Against AIDS campaign, will highlight the importance of stopping the spread of this devastating disease. To learn more, click here.
