World AIDS Day: Bostonist Edition

On December 1, 1981 the first AIDS (SIDA in several languages) diagnosis was made. Today, in rememberance of that date of diagnosis, is World AIDS Day 2005. Before that science had provided no explanation for a rapidly increasing death. By 1986 donated blood has been routinely screened for HIV. In a practice of questionable morals and rationale, the Red Cross would not accept blood donations from persons who had engaged in homosexual acts (some chapters have changed this practice). Since 198,7 and the first United Nations AIDS program sponsored World AIDS Day, awareness become greater, treatments have become stronger, but the mystery of HIV/AIDS still remains unsolved.

Bostonist (and we imagine many of our readers have too) grew up in a world with awareness imagery. In the early 90’s the Red Ribbon was a must have on the Red Carpet. Millions of viewers tuned to MTV to watch a new sort of pop icon Pedro Zamora on his quest to educate people about AIDS on the Real World. Today the imagery is introduced to us again this year, but it all seems usual. We’re all familiar with AIDS, we know HIV is the virus that causes it. However, even though it seems familliar it's no less of a problem. No one knows how to cure it, only manage..

Because of pharmaceutical innovations people with HIV/AIDS can live a much better and longer life than was once thought possible. But the cure still eludes scientists, researchers, and faithful. Though the death rate due to AIDS in Massachusetts has fallen over the past 10 years the infection rate has climbed steadily. Over 15,000 people are living in Massachusetts with diagnosed and reported HIV infection (with or without AIDS diagnosis). Including an estimate of people who don’t know their status the total is closer to 25,000. The numbers in Massachusetts are remarkable, though more staggering is the world count: over 36 million people living with HIV, 15,000 new HIV infections per day. HIV/AIDS has become the fourth-largest cause of death worldwide. Without a political tirade Bostonist will casually insert that widespread condom use (rather than abstinence) has been proven an effective in transmission prevention.

Join Bostonist on today, World AIDS Day 2005, at any one of the events going on around Boston and the rest of the State, a good list can be found here. It’s been recommended to us that the Medicine Wheel 24 hour vigil, going on now at the BCA in the South End, is of particular interest. Help increase awareness. If you wear a ribbon, mean it. Thanks Ben C.