U.S. loses ground against AIDS - report
Women's health advocates in Venezuela marked World AIDS Day by teaching Caracas residents about safe sex.
The women gave demonstrations on the streets of the importance of using condoms and how they protect against HIV infections.
There are around 150,000 Venezuelans living with the disease, with some unaware they even have it.
Last month, a United Nations report said the country has faced setbacks in the fight against HIV/AIDs, which organizers say is a wakeup call, especially for women.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) WOMEN'S HEALTH ADVOCATE, GRISBEL ESCOBAR, SAYING:
"In our country, HIV diagnoses have increased in women, therefore it does worry our female population. We want the government to implement HIV prevention campaigns and we call on them to do so."
Meanwhile, Americans in New York held candlelight vigils to remember those who had passed away from AIDS.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRENT NICHOLSON EARLE, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, AMERICAN RUN FOR THE END OF AIDS, SAYING:
"To not forget that AIDS, the AIDS crisis is not over. Even though we have the drugs that are keeping people alive in this country, our infection rates continue to stay about the same. They're not going down. And to remember that this is World AIDS Day."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JASON, RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH AIDS, SAYING:
"Because I'm living with it. I mean, I'm HIV positive, so remembering the people we have lost the past year, pretty important."
ONE Foundation research shows the U.S. has lost momentum when it comes to preventing HIV infections, with millions of new cases diagnosed last year.
The women gave demonstrations on the streets of the importance of using condoms and how they protect against HIV infections.
There are around 150,000 Venezuelans living with the disease, with some unaware they even have it.
Last month, a United Nations report said the country has faced setbacks in the fight against HIV/AIDs, which organizers say is a wakeup call, especially for women.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) WOMEN'S HEALTH ADVOCATE, GRISBEL ESCOBAR, SAYING:
"In our country, HIV diagnoses have increased in women, therefore it does worry our female population. We want the government to implement HIV prevention campaigns and we call on them to do so."
Meanwhile, Americans in New York held candlelight vigils to remember those who had passed away from AIDS.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) BRENT NICHOLSON EARLE, FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT, AMERICAN RUN FOR THE END OF AIDS, SAYING:
"To not forget that AIDS, the AIDS crisis is not over. Even though we have the drugs that are keeping people alive in this country, our infection rates continue to stay about the same. They're not going down. And to remember that this is World AIDS Day."
(SOUNDBITE) (English) JASON, RECENTLY DIAGNOSED WITH AIDS, SAYING:
"Because I'm living with it. I mean, I'm HIV positive, so remembering the people we have lost the past year, pretty important."
ONE Foundation research shows the U.S. has lost momentum when it comes to preventing HIV infections, with millions of new cases diagnosed last year.
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