According to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, "Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world."Discrimination against those diagnosed with HIV/AIDS includes both the fear of getting the disease and also negative assumptions about people who have a positive HIV diagnosis. AIDS-related stigma has had a profound effect on the epidemic’s course. The World Health Organization cites fear of stigma and discrimination as the main reason why people are reluctant to be tested, to disclose their HIV status or to take antiretroviral drugs.
It's time we build coalitions to fight stigma. Activism, education, enlightened laws, and policies are key. But it begins with openness and will to speak out. Schools should teach respect and understanding. Religious leaders should speak acceptance. The media should condemn prejudice and use its influence to advance social change, from securing legal protections to ensuring access to health care.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity for all of us to learn the facts about HIV, as well as other transmitted infections. By increasing the understanding of how HIV is transmitted, how it can be prevented, and the reality of living with HIV today - we can use this knowledge to protect our own health and the health of others.
