The origin of the disease is unclear, but one thing is for certain: since its arrival in the public limelight as a consequence of a hitherto unidentified illness rampaging through vulnerable populations in the United States in the 80s, HIV/AIDS has been the stuff of nightmares for governments and populations across the world. Estimates put the total death toll as a consequence of AIDS-related complications at a tragic 32 million. Estimated infections since proper records regarding the disease began to be kept stand at a total of 74.9 million globally. Estimates from the year 2018 place the total number of people currently living with HIV at 37.9 million. This is about eight percent of the total adult population of the world. Of the 37.9 million, 21 percent are children, and of the adult population living with the disease, it is estimated that about 21 percent of them are unaware of their status.
HIV/ AIDS however has shifted from being a guaranteed death sentence for those infected to being a disease that can be managed, and in some rare cases even reversed. The advent of antiretroviral drugs has worked to manage viral loads in the infected, increasing life expectancy and reducing AIDS-related mortality. Pre-exposure prophylaxis or PrEP is yet another one of these wonder drugs working to manage the disease and its spread by preventing new infections. Since its release, PrEP has proved remarkably successful, especially in more vulnerable groups who have historically been more affected by HIV/AIDS prevalence with an up to 99 percent effectiveness rate.
Countries the world over have taken massive steps towards the eradication of the disease by managing current cases and preventing new infections. This has however not been easy. Due to ignorance of the disease, how it is spread and its subsequent effects on an HIV-positive individual, HIV/ AIDS related stigma still persists.
To this end, the Danish embassy in Beijing has partnered with UNAID to bring this year’s HIV/AIDS awareness week. The kingdom of Denmark itself has experienced great success in the management of the disease, having slashed the number of new infections within its borders and instituting comprehensive treatment for those living with the disease. The goal for this year’s events is to spread awareness and eliminate discrimination against those who are HIV positive.
Thomas Buttenschøn
One of the expected highlights of this year’s World AIDS Day festivities will be live performances and talks by invited guests, including Thomas Buttenschøn, brilliant musician, artist and Danish television personality slated to perform in Shanghai and Beijing. Thomas’ own story is itself compelling as he is not only HIV positive, but was diagnosed as a child and subsequently lost both his parents to the virus. But thanks to treatment over the years, he has been able to live a happy, healthy life. He is married with two children, and under no threat of passing on the virus to those he loves.
The aim of the UNAID’s yearly World AIDS Day is not only to increase awareness, but to also hit its set goal of 90/90/90 of prevention and treatment by the end of 2020. This is the target that nine out of every ten people living with the virus know their status, at least nine out of ten people living with the virus have access to treatment, and nine out of ten of those receiving treatment have a suppressed viral load.
For more information on the schedule of events to happen through the week, please scan the QR code below.
Photos: TheHealthSite, avert.org, Danish Embassy
