Is AIDS Still An Epidemic?

The AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s was one of the most catastrophic events in American history. Many people lost their lives by just being who they are. However, it is one of the most overlooked events. Many people who were born in what is called the “post-treatment” world, after 1997 when a proper treatment was in use, do not have much knowledge on the epidemic. What was the AIDS epidemic? Why do most millennials not know much about the AIDS epidemic? Is there still an AIDS epidemic?

To understand if there still is an AIDS epidemic, one must know about the epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s, and what the HIV/AIDS virus is. AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is a virus that is caused by HIV, or Human Immunodeficiency Virus. HIV destroys the immune system and can attack the nervous system, causing brain damage. Breaking down the immune system can causes serious infections and different forms of cancers (1). The Center for Disease Control (CDC) first categorized AIDS as a sexually transmitted disease, then later categorized it as its own disease (2). HIV and AIDS can only be contracted through bodily fluids such as blood, vaginal secretions, breast milk, and semen (3). The first report of AIDS was in 1981, and since then millions have been diagnosed. HIV and AIDS does not only affect one group of people, it can affect anyone. As of today, there is no known cure for HIV and AIDS. However, there are treatment plans that can prolong the life of the person affected. People who have been diagnosed with HIV and AIDS live very long and fulfilling lives.

An epidemic is defined by the CDC as “an increase, often sudden, in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected in that population in that area” (4). This means that an epidemic is a disease that affects a group of people rapidly and without any sort of warning. For the first couple of years of the epidemic, there were not many treatments offered for people with AIDS, and most received treatment for Kaposi Sarcoma, which is a form of cancer (5). Kaposi Sarcoma is a rare form of cancer. It develops from the cells that line blood vessels and cause tumors to form on the skin (6). Many political leaders at the time would not address the growing crisis. Former President Ronald Reagan did not mention the word AIDS until 1985, four years after the first documented case (7). Why was this? Reagan, along with most of his administration were extremely conservative, and this disease affected mainly gay men. There was much stigma around being LGBTQ+, therefore it was very difficult to come to a treatment plan that was affordable and accessible to everyone.

Because of the lack of representation and progress in developing medications and treatments, activist groups began to form. The most notable was ACT UP. ACT UP stands for AIDS Coalition To Unleash Power. They are an activist group started in New York City and have spread across the country. The group first formed in 1987 to fight AIDS and fight for people diagnosed with AIDS (8). On the organizations website, they state they are a “diverse, non-partisan group of individuals united in anger and committed to the direct action to end the AIDS crisis” (9). ACT UP’s main use of protest is through direct action. Direct action protesting allows a group to confront their target head on. This form of activism involved many public acts such as die-ins, kiss-ins, and taking over of public buildings such as the CDC. ACT UP was key in ensuring that the public knew about AIDS and that there was an epidemic. ACT UP continues their work today, in major cities such as New York and San Francisco while also in smaller cities all around the country.

Is there still an AIDS epidemic in the United States? Some would argue that there is not, however, AIDS still takes the lives of millions each year. There are about 56,000 new AIDS cases each year (10). There is also no cure for AIDS, just different treatment plans with medications. There is also no vaccine for AIDS. People are still being diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in high numbers. Just because there are medications and treatment plans for AIDS, does not mean that AIDS is no longer a problem within our society.

Another question that still remains, is AIDS still an epidemic overall? Some argue no, because the United States has medications that help prolong the life of someone with AIDS. However, the rate of the number of cases continues to increase each year in developing countries. Many AIDS cases are recorded in Sub-Saharan African countries, East Asia, Russia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe with about four to nine million new infections each year (11). The most at risk individuals are men who have sex with men, sex workers and their clients, and injecting drug users (12). People in these areas do not have the same medications for AIDS like in the United States. Countries that have higher numbers of infections are countries who do not give proper funding for medications or proper education. In many of these countries, the reporting for people who have been diagnosed with AIDS has not be sufficient (13). Reporting for these cases is crucial because it keeps all known cases of HIV and AIDS on record and accounted for (14). These reports are a key aspect in fighting AIDS around the world. Many think that HIV/AIDS is a disease that just affects gay men, this is not true. HIV/AIDS can affect anyone and many countries around the world have many different types of people that are affected. AIDS continues to be a disease that kills millions of people around the world each year. AIDS is still an epidemic in other countries around the world.

HIV and AIDS are preventable diseases. One of the most effective way of preventing HIV and AIDS is to practice safe sex. Using a condom or dental dam not only stops the spread of HIV and AIDS but also other sexually transmitted diseases and infections. Another way is to regularly get tested for sexually transmitted diseases and infections, while also getting regular blood tests. This helps keep yourself and your partners safe. Another way is to support the research efforts of HIV and AIDS. Donating money to organizations or spreading awareness about organizations helps in the efforts. One final way is to have proper education of HIV and AIDS. Health and sex education courses in schools need to have a section added that talks about HIV and AIDS, while also addressing the importance of different kinds of sex. Also, history classes should include the AIDS epidemic of the 1980s and 1990s into the course material. This way, younger generations can grow up learning about this important piece of American history.

AIDS is still an epidemic. The United States has adequate treatment of AIDS, but no cure or vaccine. In developing countries, AIDS continues to kill millions of people. With proper education and funding, AIDS can be a disease that is no longer affecting millions of lives.

References:

1. Sacramento County Department of Health and Human Services Epidemiology and Disease Control Unit. Facts About HIV/AIDS. 2001.
2. Iovannone, Jeffry. “HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Part One, 1980–1987”. Lecture, WGST377 AIDS Art and Activism. State University of New York at Fredonia, NY. 1 February 2018.
3. Sacramento County Department Facts About HIV/AIDS.
4. Iovannone, Jeffry. “HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Part One, 1980–1987”.
5. Iovannone, Jeffry. “HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Part One, 1980–1987”.
6. “What Is Kaposi Sarcoma?” American Cancer Society.
7. Iovannone, Jeffry. “HIV/AIDS Epidemic: Part One, 1980–1987”.
8. ACTUP.org
9. ACTUP.org
10. Bullock, Lorinda. “25 Years Later, HIV/AIDS Still an Epidemic.” Internal Medicine News42, no. 11 (June 1, 2009)
11. Senior, Kathryn. “AIDS Epidemic Still Not under Control.” The Lancet Infectious Diseases6, no. 1 (January 2006)
12. Whiteside, Alan, and Julia Smith. “Exceptional Epidemics: AIDS Still Deserves a Global Response.” Globalization and Health5, no. 1 (November 14, 2009)
13. Kaldor, John M., Valerie Delpech, and Rebecca J. Guy. “AIDS Case Reporting: Do We Still Need It?” The Lancet373, no. 9658 (August 4, 2009)
14. Kaldor, “AIDS Case Reporting: Do We Still Need It?”