World Aids Day 2008
HIV/AIDS is not on topic here. But, you're going to read about it anyways, because it is wholly relevant to several topics that ARE on topic here.
-In Rwanda, just as women in Bosnia had been raped until they became pregnant, the UN reported that women were raped until they were sure to have contracted HIV. This weapon is continuing the genocide today. I'm sure this is not an isolated practice. Further, we've all heard stories of young women being used for traditional "cures" and then infected. And, sex trades and traficking put countless women at risk.
-In many countries, including the United States, HIV/AIDS patients face discrimination both related to their disease and to suppositions about their personal lives because of their infection status. (Read more.)
-The communities often most affected by HIV/AIDS - sexual and ethnic minorities, humanitarian crisis victims, immigrant communities, youth, elderly, poor, women - are already disadvantaged. Now, I kind of hate that word, disadvantaged. It sounds so sanitary considering the realities that these people face. But, these groups are targetted by militias for attack or recruitment, they're underserved by welfare systems and over-targeted by criminal justice systems, they're discriminated against in employment and access to markets, they're subject to restrictions on movement and civic activities, and so forth.
-15 million HIV/AIDS orphans, both those infected themselves, and those who are not, are often left to fend completely for themselves after their families have fallen to this epidemic. These children often do not go to school and are often unable to learn a trade. These children are recruited by gangs and militias or become transient and sometimes resort to criminal activity to tend their basic needs. They need access to safe homes, medical care, education, and social acceptance. HIV/AIDS isn't just attacking our nations by killing us. It is stealing our children's futures, even if they don't contract the virus.
http://www.worldaidsday.org
http://www.aids.gov
http://www.thebody.com/content/art49366.html
US CDC: HIV Incidence in the United States
World AIDS clock
2008 UNAIDS Report
33 million people living with HIV in 2007.
2.7 million new HIV infections in 2007.
2.0 million people died due to AIDS in 2007.
Women: 50% of those living with HIV worldwide, nearly 60% of HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
Youth 15-24 45% of new HIV infections worldwide.
An estimated 370,000 children under 15 became infected in 2007. Globally, 2.0 million children had HIV in 2007, with 90% in sub-Saharan Africa.
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
So, what can you do about it?
Learn more. That is the number one goal of this day of awareness.
Donate. If you have some cash to spare, send it to an organization. I'll list some later. Be careful to know where you're sending your money.
Volunteer. From teaching AIDS orphans to hospital visitations, from sex-ed to half-way homes, there are untold opportunities for serving those who need help living with HIV/AIDS or those who need help recovering from its devastating social effects.
Know your status. I am HIV negative. You may think you are, but do you know? Get tested. No excuses. Do not donate blood just to get tested. Go get tested. Do it today. In fact, do it now.
I'm including a list of organizations known for work in the field of HIV/AIDS relief. I am not advocating these organizations, but am listing them because of their ratings by those who analyze the efficiency, honesty, and impact of charities and so forth (namely, the BBB and charitynavigator.org). Use your own discretion.
AVERT, International organization providing education, testing, and treatment, 85.7% to program expenses based on report on website.
Elton John AIDS Foundation, Private organization for awareness, education, and support, 85.9% to program expenses.
Elizabeth Glasner Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Private organization supporting research into treatment and prevention of pediatric AIDS, 88.9% to program expenses.
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Public-private partnership dedicated to development of and eventual distribution of an accessible and affordable HIV vaccine, 85.6% to program expenses.
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Inter-faith organization dedicated to protecting sexual rights and instituting responsible sexual health policies, 81% to program expenses.
City of Hope, California research hospital focusing on HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases, 81.8% to program expenses.
Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Non-profit infectious disease research institute based in Seattle and Tanzania, 90.1% to program expenses.
amfAR, International foundation providing funding for HIV/AIDS research, 76.8%
Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Emory University-based research group studying transmission and treatment of HIV/AIDS that also operates testing and counseling facilities, no data available on costs.
Guttmacher Institute, New York-based research institute dedicated to scientific education on sexual health issues and applying these to policy action, 71.4% to program expenses.
International Planned Parenthood Federation, Global service provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights, 85.5% to program expenses.
The Safe Haven Project, Non-profit dedicated to public information and serving expecially HIV + youth, no data available on costs.
Project Hope, International organization providing health care assistance and education, 92.5% to program expenses.
Non-profit AIDS research center committed to prevention and cure, 81.2% to program expenses.
World Vision, International Christian charity for children, 86.6% to program expenses.
Volunteer Kenya, International-local partnership dedicated to health care and development in Kenya, Income statement on website.
Women for Women International, International sponsorship program dedicated to improving the chances of women to recover from political and civil conflicts, 71.5% to program expenses.
Among all the other very real reasons to support the HIV/AIDS effort, disease epidemics destabilize nations and contribute to conflict, human rights abuses, and terrorism. Desperate people do deperate things.
-In Rwanda, just as women in Bosnia had been raped until they became pregnant, the UN reported that women were raped until they were sure to have contracted HIV. This weapon is continuing the genocide today. I'm sure this is not an isolated practice. Further, we've all heard stories of young women being used for traditional "cures" and then infected. And, sex trades and traficking put countless women at risk.
-In many countries, including the United States, HIV/AIDS patients face discrimination both related to their disease and to suppositions about their personal lives because of their infection status. (Read more.)
-The communities often most affected by HIV/AIDS - sexual and ethnic minorities, humanitarian crisis victims, immigrant communities, youth, elderly, poor, women - are already disadvantaged. Now, I kind of hate that word, disadvantaged. It sounds so sanitary considering the realities that these people face. But, these groups are targetted by militias for attack or recruitment, they're underserved by welfare systems and over-targeted by criminal justice systems, they're discriminated against in employment and access to markets, they're subject to restrictions on movement and civic activities, and so forth.
-15 million HIV/AIDS orphans, both those infected themselves, and those who are not, are often left to fend completely for themselves after their families have fallen to this epidemic. These children often do not go to school and are often unable to learn a trade. These children are recruited by gangs and militias or become transient and sometimes resort to criminal activity to tend their basic needs. They need access to safe homes, medical care, education, and social acceptance. HIV/AIDS isn't just attacking our nations by killing us. It is stealing our children's futures, even if they don't contract the virus.
http://www.worldaidsday.org
http://www.aids.gov
http://www.thebody.com/content/art49366.html
US CDC: HIV Incidence in the United States
World AIDS clock
2008 UNAIDS Report
33 million people living with HIV in 2007.
2.7 million new HIV infections in 2007.
2.0 million people died due to AIDS in 2007.
Women: 50% of those living with HIV worldwide, nearly 60% of HIV infections in sub-Saharan Africa.
Youth 15-24 45% of new HIV infections worldwide.
An estimated 370,000 children under 15 became infected in 2007. Globally, 2.0 million children had HIV in 2007, with 90% in sub-Saharan Africa.
More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
So, what can you do about it?
Learn more. That is the number one goal of this day of awareness.
Donate. If you have some cash to spare, send it to an organization. I'll list some later. Be careful to know where you're sending your money.
Volunteer. From teaching AIDS orphans to hospital visitations, from sex-ed to half-way homes, there are untold opportunities for serving those who need help living with HIV/AIDS or those who need help recovering from its devastating social effects.
Know your status. I am HIV negative. You may think you are, but do you know? Get tested. No excuses. Do not donate blood just to get tested. Go get tested. Do it today. In fact, do it now.
I'm including a list of organizations known for work in the field of HIV/AIDS relief. I am not advocating these organizations, but am listing them because of their ratings by those who analyze the efficiency, honesty, and impact of charities and so forth (namely, the BBB and charitynavigator.org). Use your own discretion.
AVERT, International organization providing education, testing, and treatment, 85.7% to program expenses based on report on website.
Elton John AIDS Foundation, Private organization for awareness, education, and support, 85.9% to program expenses.
Elizabeth Glasner Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Private organization supporting research into treatment and prevention of pediatric AIDS, 88.9% to program expenses.
International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Public-private partnership dedicated to development of and eventual distribution of an accessible and affordable HIV vaccine, 85.6% to program expenses.
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Inter-faith organization dedicated to protecting sexual rights and instituting responsible sexual health policies, 81% to program expenses.
City of Hope, California research hospital focusing on HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening diseases, 81.8% to program expenses.
Seattle Biomedical Research Institute, Non-profit infectious disease research institute based in Seattle and Tanzania, 90.1% to program expenses.
amfAR, International foundation providing funding for HIV/AIDS research, 76.8%
Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, Emory University-based research group studying transmission and treatment of HIV/AIDS that also operates testing and counseling facilities, no data available on costs.
Guttmacher Institute, New York-based research institute dedicated to scientific education on sexual health issues and applying these to policy action, 71.4% to program expenses.
International Planned Parenthood Federation, Global service provider and a leading advocate of sexual and reproductive health and rights, 85.5% to program expenses.
The Safe Haven Project, Non-profit dedicated to public information and serving expecially HIV + youth, no data available on costs.
Project Hope, International organization providing health care assistance and education, 92.5% to program expenses.
Non-profit AIDS research center committed to prevention and cure, 81.2% to program expenses.
World Vision, International Christian charity for children, 86.6% to program expenses.
Volunteer Kenya, International-local partnership dedicated to health care and development in Kenya, Income statement on website.
Women for Women International, International sponsorship program dedicated to improving the chances of women to recover from political and civil conflicts, 71.5% to program expenses.
Among all the other very real reasons to support the HIV/AIDS effort, disease epidemics destabilize nations and contribute to conflict, human rights abuses, and terrorism. Desperate people do deperate things.