World AIDS Day 2024

World AIDS Day (WAD), celebrated annually on December 1, is about bringing attention to the HIV epidemic, by increasing awareness, speaking out against stigma, and calling for an increased response to move toward ending the epidemic in the United States.

Since the beginning of the epidemic, 88.4 million people have been diagnosed with HIV and about 42.3 million people have died. There were 39.9 million people across the globe with HIV in 2023. Of these, 38.6 million were adults (>15 years old) and 1.4 million were children ( < 15 years old). An estimated 1.3 million individuals worldwide acquired HIV in 2023 marking a 39% decline in new HIV infections since 2010 and a 60% decline since the peak in 1995.

In 2023, there were (861) people diagnosed with HIV in the state of Ohio. Following U.S. trends, over half, (59%) were males who have sex with males. Region 9 (Clark, Darke, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble counties), made up (112) of the state total, and nearly half (47%) were from male - male sexual contact. A total of (76) were from Montgomery County, the largest county in region 9.

HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, is spread by exposure to blood, semen, vaginal fluids, anal fluids, or breast milk of someone who has HIV infection. Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the late stage of HIV infection that occurs when the body’s immune system is damaged, making it easier for other illnesses to take over. With quick medical treatment, some people live normal lives for many years, even after being diagnosed with AIDS.

There is no cure for HIV infection, however, with increasing access to effective HIV prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care, including for secondary infections, HIV has become a manageable chronic health condition.

The theme for WAD 2024 is “Collective Action: Sustain and Accelerate HIV Progress.” This speaks to the U.S. government’s dedication to using the noteworthy progress that has been made through global and domestic HIV programs over the last four-plus decades, working to ensure that no communities are left behind. At the same time, we continue to innovate and adapt initiatives based on new scientific advancements, implementation research, and lessons learned from programs in the field.

What is being done to end the HIV epidemic:

• HIV treatment medications that are taken as prescribed can help individuals live longer healthier lives, maintain an undetectable viral level, thus presenting no risk of transmitting the virus sexually.
• Implementation of HIV care and prevention models that engage and retain patients in care.
• Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) , a medication regimen proven to be highly effective in preventing HIV infection for individuals at high risk, reducing the risk of acquiring HIV by up to 99%.
• Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) means taking HIV medicines within 72 hours (3 days) after a possible exposure to HIV to prevent HIV infection. Typically used in emergency situations.
• Syringe services programs (SSPs) dramatically reduce HIV risk and can provide an entry point for a range of services to help stop drug use, overdose deaths, and infectious diseases.
• New data systems to pinpoint where HIV infections are spreading most rapidly so health officials can respond quickly with resources to stop the further spread of new transmissions.

Do you know your status? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following:

• All adults and adolescents from ages 13 to 64 should be tested at least once for HIV.
• All pregnant women should be tested for HIV along with other STI’s.
• Sexually active gay and bisexual men may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (every 3 to 6 months).
• Anyone who has unsafe sex or shares injection drug equipment should get tested for HIV at least once a year.

The Ohio HIV/AIDS Prevention Committee of Region 9 (Clark, Greene, Miami, Montgomery, and Preble Counties) is reminding you to know your HIV status by getting tested!

For more testing sites near you, call 800-CDC-INFO (232-4636), visit http://hivtest.cdc.gov, or, on your cell phone, text your ZIP code to KNOW IT (566948) or call (937) 496-7133.