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When did HIV start
HIV started by Simian Immunodeficiency Virus (SIV) the monkey version of HIV -
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AID's
In Austin, Indiana, widespread drug use led to the single largest outbreak of HIV in the USA. Jessica Wapner asks if a new approach to public health can rescue the town. -
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AID's epidemic
While sporadic cases of AIDS were documented prior to 1970, available data suggests that the current epidemic started in the mid- to late 1970s. By 1980, HIV may have already spread to five continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Australia). In this period, between 100,000 and 300,000 people could have already been infected. -
‘Slim’ reports
Doctors report on a new, fatal wasting disease known locally as ‘slim’ in the medical journal, The Lancet. Slim is associated with HIV, and the cause of AIDS, . David Serwadda, one of the lead authors of the study, later says he’d read about the cases of gay men in America. This event is significant because when scientist realised that this situation was bad then started learning about it and discovered HIV! -
Zambian Appeal
Many African politicians are reluctant to admit to having an HIV epidemic, for fear of creating panic or discouraging tourist to come. It is therefore significant when President Kaunda announces that his son has died of AIDS, opening dialogue about the epidemic. -
Diana breaks stigma
Despite efforts on the part of the UK government, to inform people on the ways HIV can be transmitted, many still fear touching or going near people with HIV and AIDS. In one simple act, Princess Diana helps to shift some of these negative attitudes. She shows that people living with HIV are normal people, and should be treated with respect and kindness. This is significant because if a princess could show that much kindness to people with HIV and AIDS why can't normal people? -
World AIDS Day
Held every year on 1 December, this day of remembrance, solidarity and raising awareness is the first and longest running international health day. The date is chosen by two public information officers working in the global programme on AIDS (now UNAIDS) to maximise western press coverage of the day – falling just between the 1988 US presidential election and Christmas.This is significant because now the world knows about how bad HIV is they can help the infected by raising awareness. -
Sub-Saharan Africa’s burden
UNAIDS estimates that out of 40 million people living with HIV globally, 28.5 million (over 71%) are in sub-Saharan Africa – the region least able to cope. A number of countries within Southern Africa, including South Africa, face HIV prevalence rates of over 20%, and Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland, and Zimbabwe have rates above 30%. Relationships between young women and older men remain a worrying cause of new infections.
