Take Action in National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
March 10, 2007 is National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. In its second year, this event seeks to raise awareness of the increasing impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of women and girls. This year’s theme is “Taking Action to Save Our Lives.” This day provides an opportunity for everyone to take action and advance education, prevention and treatment efforts. It also encourages women and girls in particular to fight HIV/AIDS in a variety of ways such as getting tested for HIV, practicing safe methods to prevent HIV infection, deciding not to engage in high risk behaviors, talking about HIV prevention with family, friends and colleagues, empowering oneself, and providing support to those living with the disease.
Since the mid-1980s, the number of women and girls affected by HIV/AIDS has steadily increased, despite intensive prevention efforts. According to the March 2007 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) fact sheet “HIV/AIDS among Women,” women today account for more than one quarter of all new HIV/AIDS diagnoses. In 1992, women accounted for an estimated 14% of adults and adolescents living with AIDS in the 50 states and the District of Columbia. By the end of 2005, this proportion had grown to 23%. Women of color are especially affected by HIV infection and AIDS. In 2004, HIV infection was the leading cause of death for African American women aged 25-34 years.
Globally, the vast majority of women with HIV/AIDS became infected through heterosexual intercourse, frequently in situations in which saying no to sex or insisting on condom use is not an option because of cultural factors, lack of financial independence, and even the threat of violence.
What the Scientific Community is Doing and What Local School Communities Can Do to Help Combat HIV/AIDS Infection among Women
The CDC is exploring various ways to reduce HIV infection among women. For instance, it is conducting demonstration projects in which women’s social networks are used to reach high-risk persons in communities of color and is conducting outreach and testing for partners of HIV-infected men. In addition, CDC is actively involved in the area of microbicides – creams or gels that can be applied vaginally before sexual contact to prevent HIV transmission. Moreover, to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission in the U.S., CDC has distributed approximately $10 million annually since 1999 to several national organizations and a number of states with high HIV/AIDS rates.
According to the CDC, for women of all races and ethnicities, the largest number of HIV/AIDS diagnoses during recent years was for women aged 15-39. Schools can provide the necessary education and services to help prevent high risk behaviors among girls which might lead them to HIV/AIDS infection. Through Coordinated School Health Programs (CSHP), schools can provide sex and health education, psychological and counseling services, as well get families and the community involved – all of which can combat the multiple risk factors which may lead girls to becoming infected with HIV/AIDS including, but not limited to: unprotected sex, alcohol and drug abuse, feeling invincible, low self-esteem, and the need to feel loved by a male figure.
For additional information on the National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/nwghaad.htm.
Source: CDC Website – “Spotlight: National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day,” and “HIV/AIDS among Women” – HIV/AIDS Fact Sheet, CDC, March 2007.