World AIDS Day 2014
AIDS Is Going to Lose | Chevron
Today is World AIDS Day, a day set aside that is dedicated to raise awareness of the global AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. We also take time to remember those we have lost to this pandemic.
People often associate HIV/AIDS with third-world countries; you may imagine an African child with flies swirling around them, an orphan to AIDS due to lack of resources. But you may be surprised to know the Washington DC metro area has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world.
As of 2013, HIV has killed more than 36 million people. Just last week, we lost a 29 year old here in the US due to HIV. People still die from HIV, even in the US. 2 million people die yearly from AIDS, 270,000 of which are children.
Why do people still die? Red tape. Lack of public interest. Lack of will. Lack of easy, affordable access to life-saving medicine or care.
In the US, one must spend hours and hours each month just to secure medicine, even and especially if you have insurance. Insurance no longer guarantees one access to HIV medicine. I know this from personal experience.
I am grateful for companies who continue to fight this pandemic, even companies that have nothing to do with medicine, such as Chevron, who has been battling HIV/AIDS for the past 30 years. And they are winning. In Nigeria, there have been no reports of mother-to-child HIV transmission among their employees or dependents in 14 years. Awareness saves lives. Awareness translates into real-world impactful action.
Today is World AIDS Day, a day set aside that is dedicated to raise awareness of the global AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection. We also take time to remember those we have lost to this pandemic.
People often associate HIV/AIDS with third-world countries; you may imagine an African child with flies swirling around them, an orphan to AIDS due to lack of resources. But you may be surprised to know the Washington DC metro area has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world.
As of 2013, HIV has killed more than 36 million people. Just last week, we lost a 29 year old here in the US due to HIV. People still die from HIV, even in the US. 2 million people die yearly from AIDS, 270,000 of which are children.
Why do people still die? Red tape. Lack of public interest. Lack of will. Lack of easy, affordable access to life-saving medicine or care.
In the US, one must spend hours and hours each month just to secure medicine, even and especially if you have insurance. Insurance no longer guarantees one access to HIV medicine. I know this from personal experience.
I am grateful for companies who continue to fight this pandemic, even companies that have nothing to do with medicine, such as Chevron, who has been battling HIV/AIDS for the past 30 years. And they are winning. In Nigeria, there have been no reports of mother-to-child HIV transmission among their employees or dependents in 14 years. Awareness saves lives. Awareness translates into real-world impactful action.
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