December 1 commemorated World AIDS Day.

This day is set aside yearly for communities to honor those living with HIV, those who support them, and those who have lost their lives to AIDS.

However, World AIDS Day is more than just one day.

HIV/AIDS is preventable, yet why do we continue to have a growing incidence? In order for us to achieve an HIV/AIDS-free generation, we must protect, educate ourselves, and remove the stigma of this disease. Nationally, every 9.5 minutes someone in the United States contracts the HIV virus. Every year, more than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection and at least 1 in 6 people living with HIV in the United States are unaware that they are HIV-positive. For North Carolina, in 2013, the estimated number of people living with HIV infection was 28,101. African-Americans represented 64 percent of all cases with the highest rate among adult/adolescent African-American males. Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, particularly young black MSM, face the most severe burden of HIV. Moreover, the most astonishing statistic in 2013, Halifax County ranks 6th for new HIV cases and 13th for new AIDS cases out of all 100 North Carolina counties. Today there are more resources available to prevent HIV/AIDS.

Abstinence, limiting your number of sexual partners, never sharing needles, and using condoms correctly can prevent the spread of the disease.

More people infected with HIV/AIDS are living a healthy and longer life once diagnosed.

When people are diagnosed late with HIV, delaying access to treatment, they are more likely to suffer from health complications and more likely to pass on HIV to others.

In contrast, the majority of those who are diagnosed early (soon after infection), are engaged in regular HIV care and are prescribed antiretroviral treatment in a timely manner can live healthy lives.

The likelihood of them passing on HIV to others is significantly reduced. Until a vaccine or cure becomes available, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS is a public health priority and critical to ending the HIV epidemic.

Research has shown that most people will accept an HIV test when encouraged.

I encourage everyone to be tested at least once, and those at risk should be tested every 3-6 months. The Halifax County Public Health System provides free, confidential HIV testing.

Know your status. Know the facts. Get tested because Public Health Matters. For more information about how public health is working for you, contact HCPHS Health Department at 252-583-5021.

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