It  has recently been broadcast that there has been an outbreak of HIV in the state of Indiana. Governor Mike Pence declared the situation a state public health emergency, as he announced a HIV epidemic for Scott County, Indiana. This however is not the only region in the U.S. that is experiencing an increased incidence of HIV infections; Atlanta Georgia has also recently seen new cases at epidemic proportions. According to and article in Atlanta Daily World, “Atlanta ranks number one among U.S. cities when it comes to the rate of new HIV cases diagnosed”. What’s most disturbing, is that the article states that ” by the time patients are diagnosed in Atlanta, almost one -third have advanced to clinical AIDS”.

HIV the virus that causes AIDS has been around now for over 30 years, and although there still is no cure, the disease has become manageable – to the point of being considered a chronic disease. So, the last thing you’d expect to hear is that there is an ‘epidemic’ of the virus right here in America. You might be surprised because the once mass hysteria and phobia surrounding the disease has been sociably ameliorated.  Public health awareness campaigns rightfully designed to erase the stigma – that prevented many people from being tested and seeking treatment, have been largely successful. Why then is this happening now? What can we learn from this current news about a 3 decade old plague? Continue reading →