reply a discussion:

Jessica

HIV/AIDS has been a large issue since the 1980’s and is still currently in epidemic status throughout most of the world. According to the World Health Organization, in 2022, 1.3 million individuals were diagnosed with HIV (WHO, 2023). There are also a great number of individuals who do not know that they have the disease. The highest incidence of diagnoses of HIV are from North America, South America, Oceania, and Europe, though countries such as Kasachstan, Mexico, and Zimbabwe have rising rates as well (Govender et al, 2021). Though HIV is still in epidemic status in parts of the world, mortality rates have decreased largely since the 1980’s. Some say this is due to education, condom availability, pre-exposure prophylaxis, and recognition and early detection of the disease from mother to baby (Govender et al, 2021). Most of the stigma surrounding an HIV or AIDS diagnosis has lessened as well, making it easier for those struggling to get medical treatment. Healthcare delivery systems have made treatment and diagnosis easier to get since the 1980’s as well. People with HIV can follow up with their care through their primary healthcare provider through in office or telehealth appointments. According to the World Health Organization, there were even new guidelines on HIV prevention, testing, treatment, service delivery and monitoring to bring together existing and new clinical recommendations across different ages, populations and settings (World Health Organization, 2021). With the stigma surrounding this disease virtually gone in the clinical setting, those struggling with HIV or AIDS have the choice of getting treatment without judgement in 2023.