With governments differing on their HIV/AIDS prevention strategies, it is rather difficult to provide a complete overview of such prevention strategies in the world. What most of the successful strategies have in common is a comprehensive plan not targeting only one segment of society or only a specific area of HIV/AIDS prevention.

Prevention starts with adequate information about how the disease is spread and means to minimize the risk of infection. This type of strategy must be implemented on national, regional, local and individual basis. If a government is not actively involved in funding AIDS and HIV prevention programs, the successes against the spreading of the disease will be limited.

Only if a government endorses a program of, for instance, antiretroviral treatments for infected pregnant mothers, prisoners, and all infected adults as well as children, can there be any hope of stopping this epidemic. Such programs must include from the most basic information to complex reporting to ensure that new strategies can be build based upon information received.

One aspect of HIV/AIDSprevention often overlooked is that of infection by means of needles. Not only drug users, but also health workers and patients are at risk. It is essential to educate workers and loved ones about the absolute necessity to dispose of used needles in the appropriate way and to ensure that such facilities are readily available.

Other aspects of HIV and AIDS prevention which must be addressed is the free supply of condoms, minimization of speeches which do not approve of condom distribution, and the improvement of hygienic conditions in all public spaces, whether hospitals, public restrooms or transport facilities.

Prevention programs must also include adequate food and financial assistance for displaced families to prevent forced prostitution to substitute incomes.

At the end of the day it falls upon governments and related agencies to provide proper reports on their successes on the HIV/AIDS prevention programmes whereby the development of said programmes can be continuously adapted and improved to ensure the health of generations to come.

AIDS care programs are essential to improve the life quality of infected persons and their immediate family. Once HIV has progressed to the AIDS stage, the infected person may find it difficult to sustain normal day to day activities. Many of the infected persons cannot go to hospitals daily for treatment and will thus depend heavily on their family members for care and support.

The continent hardest hit by HIV/AIDS infections is Africa, also the continent where many of the people simply cannot afford advanced medical care and caregivers. Governments on the African continent must intervene to prevent complete social and economic breakdowns because of HIV/AIDS infections. AIDScare programs must include funds for the families who have to take care of the persons with full blown AIDS.

Before such can become a reality, the stigma surrounding AIDS and the misconceptions about infections must be addressed. People have to realise that by taking adequate precautions against accidental infection when caring for family members, they can still be close to the patients. In addition to such programs, it is imperative to also provide information, medical treatment access, and funding assistance for the families in terms of the related illnesses such as TB. Once the person’s immune system becomes vulnerable secondary illnesses may cause more discomfort and hinder the functioning of the person. For such the AIDS care programs must include free testing and treatments for TB and other related illnesses as well.

Once a family faces the prospect of losing a productive family member, has food insecurities, and the burden of AIDS care for the infected person, all hope may fade. For such the healthcare programs should also include free professional counselling and support services to lighten the burden on the families. Governments and related agencies should also ensure that they have the necessary information needed regarding successful AIDS care programs or available guidelines.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, AIDS is the leading cause of death among African Americans. African Americans die from HIV/AIDS related illnesses more than any other disease or race. Religious, economic, and social obstacles have increased the inequality in healthcare. There is a stigma that surrounds the African American community as it pertains to HIV/AIDS. This stigma prevents African Americans from obtaining accurate information on prevention and combating the disease. In many cases African Americans are diagnosed too late, receive inadequate care, and benefit last from new treatments. Because there are so many intricacies of HIV /AIDS treatment, opportunistic infections, and social issues, it’s time we know the facts.

HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. HIV stops the body’s ability to fight infections, cancers and many other diseases. Many people have been infected for years without any symptoms. Even though there are no symptoms present, HIV can still be passed to others. AIDS stands for Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. AIDS is the last and fatal stage of the HIV disease. Now that we know what it is and how it’s spread, why are our women, our people are still dieing at catastrophic rates? It’s because of social and cultural conditioning. The problem is institutional and internalized homophobia with brathas living on the Down Low. It is misinterpreted scriptures and hypocritical religion. The problem is the lack of accurate information, economic and healthcare disparities. The problem is the continued belief that HIV/AIDS is a Gay White Male Disease!

We as a community must unite as one. We must find ways to collectively end this new African Holocaust. It is every Black woman, man, and child’s responsibility to fight HIV/AIDS in our communities. Knowledge is our power. There is no armor quite like knowledge. HIV/AIDS is swallowing our race at massive proportions. It has spread through our communities because of homophobia and not enough African Americans are trying to prevent it! Get the knowledge, and then get involved. Use yourself, your voice to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS.