Today is the 20th anniversary of World Aids Day. Over the last twenty-five years, since the disease was first discovered, science has made some remarkab;e advancements in treating it, and regrettably few towards and outright cure.
From an affliction primarily of gay men and IV drug users, Aids has moved into new demographics; the black and Hispanic communities have been grievously affected, aided in part by the rampant homophobia that leads men to have clandestine sex with other men before going home to their wives and girlfriends.
In New York City today, there are roughly 100,000 citizens infected with HIV, per the NYC Department of Health.
New York City remains the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the U.S. More than 100,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV, but thousands don’t know they’re infected. New York City has the highest AIDS case rate in the country, with more AIDS cases than Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, and Washington DC combined. HIV is the 3rd leading cause of death below age 65 in New York City. HIV is also the health problem with the largest racial disparity; 80% of new AIDS diagnoses and deaths are among African Americans and Hispanics. Prevention, testing, and treatment programs are being expanded, but more must be done.
Indeed, more must be done. Aids is not over.
