Dear Editor
Dec. 1 marks World AIDS Day and starts the beginning of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week. This day, in its 27th year, is to honour those living with HIV and those who have died as a result of having HIV, as well as to bring awareness about AIDS and the spread of the HIV virus.
Many people continue to think this isn’t something that affects them and pay little attention to the matter. Think that is the case? Then consider these numbers:
• Saskatchewan currently has the highest rates of new HIV cases in Canada, with 17 per 100,000 (PHAC, 2012) new cases;
• one in four people are unaware that they have HIV;
• There are about 73,000 people living with HIV in Canada;
• 75 million people have been infected with HIV in the world (WHO, 2014);
• 36.9 million people live with HIV in the world, which is close to the same number of people living in Canada (WHO, 2014); and
• 1.2 million people died in 2014 from HIV (WHO, 2015), which is 400,000 less than 2013.
Stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS is deeply ingrained in Saskatchewan. With the increase in numbers of new cases of people living with HIV/AIDS, a great awareness has also developed in the province. This increase in awareness has not necessarily transferred to an increase in correct information.
 The negative impression that communities often have for those living with or affected with HIV/AIDS has a far reaching impact, not only on those with HIV/AIDS, but for their families, friends, co-workers and the greater community. The stigma and discrimination that is present in our communities stops people from accessing services and treatment, leads to an increase in mental health issues and can serve to create fear in others of what they don’t understand.
HIV is a chronic disease, yet people with HIV continue to face discrimination from all parts of their community. When we look at the stigma and discrimination around HIV, it is important to remember our actions don’t have to be intentionally discriminatory or cruel to have that be the effect of our actions. Consider your own feelings and beliefs of people living with HIV/AIDS and how they differ from other chronic conditions such as diabetes.
On this World AIDS Day, here are a few things you can do to help in the fight against HIV: find out what HIV is and how it is transmitted; get an HIV test and know your status (available at your doctor’s office or the Sexual Health Clinic), yearly test is recommended for anyone between 13-70 who has had sex; pass along your knowledge to your families and especially youth; and consider that those with HIV are actual people and deserve respect like all other people.
Tuesday, Dec. 1 at 6 p.m., Battlefords Family Health Centre will be holding a movie screening to commemorate World AIDS Day. The event, held at our offices at 1192 - 101st St., North Battleford, is intended to help bring awareness and knowledge to our community. We hope that you are able to join us.
Kent Lindgren
HIV Project Co-ordinator
