'World AIDS Day' recognizes those still affected, living with disease. Bob Schneider/CHAT News.

By Jayk Sterkenburg

HEALTH CARE

‘World AIDS Day’ recognizes stigma, those still affected by disease

Nov 28, 2024 | 1:36 PM

SafeLink Alberta, in Medicine Hat, offers non-judgmental and informed programs to those affected by HIV and AIDS.

This Sunday will mark World AIDS Day, a global movement to unite people in the fight against the sexually transmitted diseases.

Thirty-five million lives have been lost in the past 40 years due to HIV or AIDS. Although they have certainly become more easily treatable, that doesn’t mean the diseases are any less transmittable.

HIV itself is a virus that may cause infection, thus weakening the immune system and opening the possibility of contracting the condition of AIDS.

Kayla Smith, systems navigator with SafeLink Alberta, explained what their organization offers in terms of awareness and resources for those affected.

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“All of our staff are trained to tell people information about HIV, what the process of testing looks like, treatment and all of that stuff,” she said.

“By making it a regular conversation, I think it helps break down the stigma. HIV is not something that one type of person gets,” she added.

“It doesn’t follow any kind of barriers, any kind of markers. I think there’s a belief that HIV affects certain people, but it impacts all of us because it’s public health.”

She said that education is important to provide for those who may not be familiar with the diseases and how they can impact anyone.

SafeLink offers various toolkits and guides available to the public, contrived by insights of those who have lived and are living with the disease, as well as industry experts.

An estimated 38 million people currently live with HIV. Medical advances have allowed those diagnosed to live long and healthy lives.

The disease is still stigmatized, however. Discrimination is prevalent in the workplace, housing and healthcare.

Smith explained that World AIDS Day’s purpose is to acknowledge those who have been and continue to be affected.

“It’s an opportunity to grieve and mourn and honour the folks that we’ve lost through the AIDS epidemic,” she said.

“It’s also an opportunity to honour the folks that are still here with us living with HIV, living healthy, happy, fulfilling lives,” she added.

“Also to honour all of the work that AIDS activists have done, which is why we exist as SafeLink today.”

Treatment for HIV and AIDS has come a long way over the decades, but misinformation still prevails, making education for the diseases all the more valuable.