HIV/AIDS, a disease ushered into the North American mainstream during the 1980’s through the homosexual population, is now seen by many as a rampant epidemic that afflicts those in developing countries.
In Canada, HIV/AIDS is on the rise amongst young women, drug users, homosexual men and the Aboriginal community. An often invisible disease, HIV/AIDS is often overlooked in the Canadian health care system as one that afflicts intravenous drug users, sex workers, and the gay community. Right now, HIV/AIDS is not considered an immediate health problem to the Canadian population. Despite the rise in infection cases across demographics, one in four Canadians infected with HIV/AIDS is unaware of their status
What is HIV/AIDS?
The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). HIV/AIDS weakens the immune system, and has no cure. Those who are infected with HIV will eventually contract AIDS and die, not from HIV/AIDS itself, but from a disease acquired because of a lowered immune system.
HIV is transmitted through sexual intercourse, intravenous drug use, and the sharing of bodily fluids. When the disease first became known in the 1980’s, many believed that HIV/AIDS could be transmitted through simple touch or by sharing utensils or products with someone infected. This is nothing but unsubstantiated rumour, and has led to the subjugation of many infected with the disease.
HIV/AIDS “cocktails” are a mixture of drugs taken by those infected with the disease. Though not readily available in developing countries, AIDS cocktails are available to infected Canadians.
At the end of 2005, UNAIDS estimated that 25,000 people were living with HIV/AIDS in Canada, and the primary source of infection was sexual intercourse. Others at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS in Canada are intravenous drug users, and the First Nations community.
HIV/AIDS and First Nations People
According to a report from UNAIDS, First Nations People in Canada are more than three times to be infected with HIV/AIDS than non-Aboriginals. Many attribute this to the socioeconomic factors that First Nations People who live on reserves are faced with.
Health Canada says that most new infections in the Aboriginal population come from intravenous drug use, and that the disease afflicts mostly Aboriginal women, and most newly infected Aboriginals are under the age of 30
Health Canada has set up an initiative called the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS, which provides funding to Aboriginal communities and AIDS organizations. Despite this funding, HIV/AIDS is still on the rise amongst the Canadian Aboriginal community.
