December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month

HIV/AIDS used to be at the center of national attention in decades past, it's flown under the radar for the past several years. However, approximately 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV today. Of this number, a suspected 14% of them don't know it and still need testing.

Each December is dedicated to HIV/AIDS Awareness Month. This is a time to support educational campaigns, spread science-based information, and fight for accessible and affordable testing and treatment. Unlike other types of diseases, HIV/AIDS face a hefty social stigma. Much of HIV/AIDS awareness month is about defeating this stigma once and for all.

What's HIV/AIDS Awareness Month?

HIV/AIDS Awareness Month is an annual month-long observance. The goal of this month is to spread information about testing and treatment, defeat the stigma around HIV/AIDS, and honor those who have passed on.

Treatment for HIV/AIDS has come a long way in the past decades. It is possible to live a relatively normal life with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis, yet the stigma still affects many from different backgrounds. This month is a time to stand with those currently living with an HIV/AIDS diagnosis as well as to remember those who lost their lives along the way.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of false information around HIV/AIDs, how it's contracted, and what it means to live with this diagnosis. One of the main initiatives of HIV/AIDS Awareness Month is to shed light on science-based facts, spreading clear, accurate information while debunking myths.

Lastly, this is a time to advocate for early and regular testing, especially for high-risk populations and groups. By bringing accessible and affordable testing to all communities, HIV/AIDS Awareness Month fights for a better future for all.

When Is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month?

HIV/AIDS has had a long history in the United States and the world. It wasn't always given the attention and funding it deserved, and this is largely associated with the stigma surrounding this disease. The term AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) only began to be used in September 1982 to refer to the cases of severe immune deficiency in New York and California.

It wasn't until the first high-profile AIDS-related death that funding and activism around HIV/AIDS research began. Actor Rock Hudson died in 1965, leaving a quarter-million dollars to start the American Foundation for AIDS research. In 1987, two public information officers at the World Health Organization started World AIDS Day. This was observed on December 1st.

This soon became a month-long observance amongst HIV/AIDS groups. Each year on World AIDS day, there is a different theme to help spread awareness.

Wearing a unique colored ribbon is a way to show support in a subtle way, whether you're taking part in an awareness event or wearing something in memory of someone special. The color for HIV/AIDS awareness is red.

Today, the red ribbon still is the most noticeable symbol of solidarity and support for those living with HIV and AIDS. Each December, organizations invite people of all backgrounds to wear their red ribbon in support.

How to Participate During HIV/AIDS Awareness Month

There are a number of powerful ways to participate in HIV/AIDS Awareness Month regardless of your experience. December is not the time to stay silent. There still is a large stigma around HIV/AIDS, and the only way to overcome these obstacles is to work together with the following ideas.

Get tested

The first way to participate during HIV/AIDS Awareness Month is to get tested yourself. Many wrongly assume that HIV/AIDS only affects some populations, such as those in homosexual relationships. In reality, there are a number of ways to come into contact with HIV/AIDS, and everyone should be in the practice of getting tested regularly.

The latest health guidelines recommend everyone between the ages of 13 and 64 should get tested for HIV yearly. To find a testing location near you, visit Help Stop the Virus.

Make a donation

Research has come a long way for those living with HIV/AIDS. Thanks to the efforts of educational and research organizations, HIV infections are on the decline. In 2019, there was a reported 23% decline in new infections since 2010.

Educate yourself

As we've mentioned above, there are still a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to HIV/AIDS. Take time during the month of December to educate yourself about the realities vs. the myths. The World Health Organization is a great source for science-based information.

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