South Africa makes progress in fight against HIV/AIDS

The AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin recognized World AIDS Day Tuesday with the opening of its newest HIV medical home in Madison, according to a release.

Treatment for HIV patients in South Africa has made huge strides in the last decade but concerns remain as the number of newly infected people each year still outnumbers those who gain access to treatment, with girls and young women most at risk. The understanding of HIV and all the myths, facts and stereotypes surrounding it can help people contain the virus with conscious protection as well as help the fight against aids by reducing the price of medicines and treatment. No new cases of mother-to-child transmission of HIV have been reported in the past 12 months.

A red ribbon is draped over the North Portico of the White House to mark World AIDS Day December 1 in Washington.

As of 2012, approximately 35 million people worldwide are living with HIV or AIDS and we are seeing a growing trend right here in the Heartland.

On World AIDS Day, we recognize the millions of people impacted by HIV/AIDS – the lives lost and the families forever torn apart by this disease.

The new funds would go towards helping people living with HIV to maintain housing through expanded affordable housing opportunities and rental assistance, as well as enhance services at “one-stop” STD clinics in New York City.

On World AIDS Day, former Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius is talking about efforts to bring the disease down to zero.

At the same time, The National Aids Council says the country has gained the necessary political momentum to adequately prevent new Aids infections.

While Kit Kloeckl, executive director of the Phoenix-based Aunt Rita’s Foundation, said about 3,000 of those are unaware they have either disease, she said living with a diagnosis is getting easier. Combined with access to health care, regular testing and other HIV prevention strategies such as condoms, PrEP provides people with a game-changing way to stop HIV.