20 years ago, UNAIDS organised the original World AIDS Day on the 1st of December. The theme in 1988 for World AIDS Day was communication. In 2005 UNAIDS handed over responsibility for World AIDS Day to an independent organisation known as World AIDS Campaign which can be found on www.worldaidscampaign.org. Some of my favourite themes include 1991 ‘Sharing the Challenge’ and 1996 ‘One World, One Hope’. This year, for a second time, the theme is ‘Leadership’. Communities and individuals are empowered to lead around access to prevention, treatment and knowing your rights to fight stigma and discrimination. Leadership also encourages governments to keep promises that have been made.

So what’s worth celebrating in 2008? Progress is being made in the scale up of universal access to HIV treatments with approximately 3 million people in low and middle income countries receiving treatment for HIV. That’s 3 million people alive today because we accepted the notion that everyone regardless of income has a right to medical treatment. The ‘Swiss statement’ that people on effective HIV treatment for a least 6 months (this means maintaining an undetectable viral load) and without an STI are of negligible risk to their partner even without condoms. Whilst there is still more research that needs to be done around this statement it does look promising. Most people with HIV will continue to use condoms; however the reduction in anxiety and stress related to infectiousness has been a windfall to people living with HIV, their partners, friends and families. Also worth noting are new treatment options including the HIV drugs raltegravir, duranavir and maraviroc. Another comment which merits a mention and celebration is from Dr Fauci, a senior US health official who works for National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. In a session at the 17th International AIDS Conference in Mexico he described the notion of a ‘functional’ cure for HIV. Through a combination of new drugs and early aggressive treatment, reservoirs in the body containing HIV could be lowered enough to allow people with some residual HIV to live without drugs. I eagerly await the results from future clinical trials on this idea.

- Advertisement -

Reflecting is also an important aspect of World AIDS Day. In particular we give some moments to consider people who have passed away during the year. Perhaps focusing on their attributes that made us laugh and smile and bring joy to our lives. We may also take this opportunity to think about what is meaningful in our lives and be sure to dedicate some time to these endeavours, remembering to breathe and enjoy the journey. This year the WA AIDS Council will be exhibiting the photography work of people living with HIV at the AIDS Memorial Monument at Robertson Park in North Perth. Everyone is welcome to join us in this inspiring annual community event which starts at 6.30pm Monday the 1st of December. A community that gets together, shares together and grows wiser together. See you there!

Cipri Martinez