MORE HIV FOCUS IN POP NEEDED?

This blog entry by Jason Chung

The story: "Figures on H.I.V. Rate Expected to Rise"

The analysis:

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) estimates that over 40,000 people in the United States are infected with the HIV virus every year. However, recent reports and studies have shown that the number of HIV infected individuals have risen up to 63,000 cases annually, and is expected to rise again next year. Whether this drastic rise in American HIV cases is due to the lack of education and prevention of the HIV virus, or due to the fact that HIV symptoms tend to show up years after the virus is contracted, it is clear that HIV is becoming more of a prominent problem in American society.

December 1st was World AIDS Day. All over the globe, people were being made aware of the disease that has infected over 42 million people in the world. CSULB and other universities have dedicated a week to education and promote awareness about HIV, because the general population of students are unaware and confused about STD's. I chose this article because I believe that students should be more aware of the HIV virus. Health and science is a significant aspect of popular culture. We watch commercials and see media references about dieting, exercise, depression, smoking, alcoholism, and other health-related issues, but the only time you hear about HIV & AIDS in our society is news about the AIDS epidemic in Africa. Popular culture tends to glaze over global health problems like HIV. Unless Angelina Jolie adopts a new HIV-positive baby from Africa, you will rarely hear any references to HIV virus and its effects on people. Education of health also plays an important role in popular culture. While we have plethora nutrition specialists and physical trainers all across the United States, there are students who don't even know that the Student Health Services (which is free) on our CSULB Campus gives rapid HIV testing. About $45 of our tuition money goes directly to the SHS, and students don't take advantage of the care that is there for them.

What I'm trying to get at with this entry is that education and awareness of global diseases like HIV should become a prominent force in popular culture. By looking at the statistics and figures (ex: LA county is the 2nd nationwide for the # of AIDS cases), it is of grave importance that people get the facts straight about HIV. The government needs to stop cutting back on domestic efforts programs and our culture needs to take our overall health and knowledge about diseases such as HIV into greater consideration. You, as a student, have all the resources to learn about HIV and prevent it from happening to you. And no, don't worry, you can't get HIV from saliva.