By Lauren Means
Every year on December 1, we observe World AIDS Day. Started in 1988, this was the first internationally observed global health awareness day. It provides an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV by showing support for people living with HIV and remembering those who have died from an HIV-related illness.
There have been positive strides in our prevention, detection, and treatment of HIV over the past three decades. According to a 2021 HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report by the CDC, the number of new HIV infections in the U.S. declined 73% between 1984 and 2019 and 9% between 2015 and 2019.
While this is positive news, here in the South, HIV is more prevalent than in any other region in the U.S. In fact, in a September 2019 brief on HIV in the Southern United States, the CDC reported more than half of HIV diagnoses occurred in people living in the South even though only 38% of the US population lives in the South. Additionally, eight of the 10 states and nine out of 10 metropolitan areas with the highest rates of new HIV diagnoses were in the South. In 2017, the South had a greater share of new HIV diagnoses than all other regions in the U.S. combined.
So this year, while supporting our loved ones who are living with HIV and remembering those we lost, do your part and get tested. Know your status. It could save your life.
Resources
NashvilleCARES: Provides targeted education, free and confidential HIV testing and a broad range of comprehensive services to individuals who are at-risk for or living with HIV. https://www.nashvillecares.org/
Music City PrEP: A sexual health and wellness center specializing in HIV prevention through PrEP. Offers private, discreet, no-cost HIV screens, STD/STI testing, and PrEP for the insured, uninsured, and underinsured. https://www.musiccityprep.org/
Nashville Regional HIV Planning Council: Helps to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS find the care and support they require. The Council works to ensure that those needing assistance with HIV care obtain medications, medical care, mental health services, dental services, related support services, and transportation assistance. https://www.nashrpc.com/
Team Friendly Tennessee: Part of the Team Friendly campaign to reduce the stigma of HIV, one conversation at a time. Mr. Friendly is an international, yet grassroots movement to reduce stigma of HIV, encourage testing for HIV, and improve quality of life for those living with HIV in friendly ways. https://teamfriendlytennessee.org/
