In most parts of the world, people no longer hide their heads in the sand as far as HIV/AIDS is concerned. In the past decade, the disease was almost a death sentence for the people who received a definite diagnosis. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and having a healthy oral hygiene will keep you from such diseases like HIV. Thankfully, things have since changed for the better, thanks to research and development, as well as the numerous AIDS awareness campaigns that have been going on.
What do awareness campaigns entail?
The government, private organizations (both for-profit and non-profit) and religious organizations involved in aids awareness usually emphasize a number of things.
I. They encourage all the adults to get tested for HIV to know their status. They make it known to the recipients of the message that HIV testing is supposed to be an essential part of their regular health routine to guarantee their health and that of the community in general.
II. The efforts increase awareness of safety measures that individuals can adapt to prevent HIV infection. This has gone a long way in decreasing the rate of new infections.
III. The majority of awareness campaigns inform people with AIDS (and those caring for the victims) about the level of care and treatment needed to ensure long life.
IV. People living with the disease get the opportunity to learn how to cope with their condition in the best way possible, and most importantly, bring a positive difference to their communities.
V. These campaigns have brought about a significant reduction in stigma at the workplace, places of worship, schools and everywhere.
Research findings by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that individuals aged between 13 and 29 accounted for a whopping 39 percent of HIV infections in 2009. This goes to show that the disease does not discriminate. Everyone regardless of age stands the risk of contracting the disease. It explains why participants of aids awareness campaigns, target all ages. There is an increased focus on students so that they can learn how to protect themselves, and also prevent further spread. These awareness campaigns have yielded beautiful stories, and the victims seem more optimistic than ever. If people won’t relent, and instead come up with more intensified campaigns, AIDS will stop being such a huge threat to people’s health, and the economy.