Red Letter Date

World AIDS Day draws attention to the health crisis that never went away

By Assia Mortensen

Today, more than 33 million people worldwide are living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) that causes AIDS, according to the latest data from the United Nations. Held annually on Dec. 1 since 1998, World AIDS day provides an opportunity for people to unite and show support for those coping with the virus, as well as those who have lost their loved ones.

In San Francisco, 800 to 1,000 new HIV infections occur every year, according to the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. The Foundation and other organizations have been working to keep the disease in check.

This past October, the Foundation announced that the programs and services of STOP AIDS Project will become part of the Foundation’s umbrella.

“We believe that this joining of forces moves us closer to our shared goals of radically reducing new HIV infections, ensuring everyone knows their status, and making sure all San Franciscans living with HIV get the care they need,” Neil Giuliano, CEO of San Francisco AIDS Foundation, said in a written statement.

And while the Foundation and city have been trailblazers in their efforts to stop the spread of HIV, the disease continues to devastate the community—30 years since the first cases of HIV were discovered. Between 1981 and 2007, more than 25 million people died as a result of AIDS, making it one of the most devastating pandemics in history.

Since the epidemic began, it is estimated that 28,409 Francisco residents have been diagnosed with AIDS, according to the Foundation. This makes up 18 percent of California’s total AIDS cases and 3 percent of the country’s cases. As of December 2009, 19,080 AIDS deaths were reported in San Francisco.

In 2007, AIDS was the fourth leading cause of death for men ages 25 to 54 in San Francisco.

The Cannabis Connection: People with HIV/AIDS sometimes face discrimination and difficulties obtaining the latest medical care. According to The American Academy of HIV Medicine, when prescribed and monitored, marijuana can provide “immeasurable benefits” for patients.

“When you’re dealing with AIDS, it affects so many different areas of your health. For issues like insomnia, nausea, appetite and pain relief, many patients find medical cannabis extremely helpful,” says Barbara Wright, a trained laboratory technician and treasurer of the medical marijuana political action organization, We the People, in California.

A related study by Margaret Haney, PhD, Associate Professor of Clinical Neuroscience at Columbia University, indicated that compared with a placebo, marijuana increased caloric intake and body weight in HIV-positive cannabis smokers.

Get Involved: World AIDS Day serves as an opportunity to learn the latest facts about HIV/AIDS. For example, getting tested for HIV is simple and you can now receive the results in just 15 to 20 minutes. It is also important to note than more than 90 percent of people with HIV are infected through sexual contact. Although there have been many medical advances in treating the disease, there is still no vaccine and no cure.

Many advocates and activists say the most important thing you can do on World AIDS Day is to give to a local AIDS services organization.

An urgent need remains to raise funds, increase community support and revitalize education. You can show your support on World AIDS Day by wearing a red ribbon—the international symbol of HIV awareness. Other ways of participating include attending a community event or vigil and volunteering.

www.worldaidsday.org.

A Sense of Place

In 1988, a small group of San Francisco residents representing an AIDS devastated community envisioned a place where they could express their grief. This place would be a gathering center of sorts where individuals and groups could hold memorial services. This place became The National AIDS Memorial Grove (www.aidsmemorial.org), a dedicated space in Golden Gate Park recognized by Congress and the President of the United States in 1996.