Efforts to eradicate HIV stigma continue to face challenges
In light of Pride Month, activists fighting for LGBTQ+ rights have made significant strides forward. Despite the progress, the journey has not been easy. One such issue pertains to the stigma surrounding HIV and the barriers that prevent many who are living with the virus from acknowledging their status. KENS 5, a local news channel in San Antonio, Texas, has delved into the topic to understand how the community is working towards putting an end to the stigma and ultimately the HIV epidemic.
According to Wayne Wientjes, a member of Living Positive San Antonio, the largest HIV support group in the area, there are two types of stigma related to HIV – negative attitudes and beliefs about the people living with HIV and internalized stigma. The latter can cause individuals to feel shame, fear, and isolation, preventing them from getting tested and knowing their status. However, Wientjes is hopeful that the stigma is decreasing, and the way to combat it is to get people tested.
Numerous studies have shown that achieving an undetectable status can significantly decrease the likelihood of transmitting the infection to somebody else. As of 2020, approximately 7,000 individuals were living with HIV in San Antonio and Bexar County, amounting to about one out of every three hundred people. Moreover, around 330 new cases of HIV infections are reported every year, according to the data presented to Metro Health in the area.
George Perez, Metro Health’s Operations Manager for Public Health Emergency Preparedness, acknowledges that ending the stigma surrounding HIV is a difficult task. While he believes that there are improvements being made by bridging public health efforts with education, there is still an uphill battle to fight.
To promote HIV testing, Walgreens declared that it would participate in the most extensive testing event in the country, conducted through community-based organizations in its stores. On National HIV Testing Day, which falls on June 27th, the entire country emphasizes getting tested.
Metro Health has planned a series of events this month to educate the community on several issues, including HIV, and to promote testing. There are still openings in the basketball tournament, but the registration deadline is mid-night on Thursday night. Details about the event and registration are available on their website.
San Antonio, the Bexar County area, and the entire country have a long way to go to achieve an HIV-free society. However, the local organizations’ efforts have made strides in putting an end to the disease’s stigma, testing, treating, and achieving the ultimate goal of ending the epidemic.
