While HIV and AIDS are having more of an impact than ever on environmental wellness, the main concern for the diseases still remains for human health and wellbeing. Across the world, AIDS affects the wellness of over 30million people, causing infection, discrimination and death. By the end of 2015, the United Nations hope to achieve certain targets which will help to eliminate this disease from the face of the planet.
Target One: To reduce sexual transmission of HIV by 50%.
According to UK research, more and more gay men are getting receptive to the idea of safe sex, and they strongly advocate the use of condoms. This is promising, as is the increasing use of sex education and safe sex awareness programmes in schools, as the majority of HIV-infections occur in young people, sex workers and homosexuals.
Target Two: To eliminate vertical transmission of HIV and reduce maternal death by 50%.
To stop mothers passing on HIV to their babies – whether before or after birth – there are more effective antiretroviral medicines being brought out, the practice of caesarean section is being enhanced and HIV-positive women are being educated on the dangers of breastfeeding.
Target Three: To completely prevent new HIV infections among drug users.
82 countries have introduced NSPs (Needle and Syringe Programmes), and 70 countries have introduced OST (Opioid Substitution Therapy), to reduce the risk of HIV among drug users.
Target Four: To ensure those who can be treated have complete access to antiretroviral therapy (ART).
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is providing countries with ongoing guidance, tools and support to make ART available for all HIV-positive people who can be treated. This therapy includes three drugs which helps to suppress the spread of HIV.
Target Five: To cut TB deaths among HIV sufferers by half.
As WHO and its partners work together to advocate joint TB/HIV prevention, policy development and implementation in various countries, the health organisation recommends 12 different TB/HIV collaborative activities, and provides a number of tools and guidelines for their implementation.
Target Six: To reduce discrimination.
Discrimination causes sufferers not to seek help, and can lead to depression and even suicide. Therefore, laws are being released in order to promote the policies which ensure the full realisation of human rights and fundamental freedom.