Mary Freeman, Assistant News Editor
The world will come together on Saturday Dec. 1 to recognize the growing AIDS epidemic worldwide.
College students often learn about the social, political, and cultural ramifications of AIDS in impoverished or marginalized communities, but often do not consider themselves of a victim of the epidemic.
According to the website smartersex.org, currently, AIDS is the 6th leading cause for deaths among Americans ages 20-24. Kathleen Banks, Executive Director at the Monterey County AIDS Project, stated that, “half of all new infections are [people] 25 and under.”
In a 2004 report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, titled HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, the CDC reported that 4,883 young people aged 13-24 were diagnosed with AIDS in the 33 states that reported findings for the report.The same report also stated that men have a much higher chance of contracting the disease. Men represented 72% of AIDS victims ages 20-24; however, the AIDS rate among women has been increasing in recent years.
The main reason that people ages 20-24 contract the disease is because of unsafe sex practices. Banks blames a lot of these unsafe practices amongst college students on alcohol and drug use. Interestingly, according to Banks alcohol, even 1 or 2 drinks, can in addition to decreases ones inhibitions, numb that person’s body causing them to be rougher during sex. “Rougher sex can lead to tearing,” said Banks. The tearing and breaking of skin increases the chances of contracting AIDS greatly.
AIDS symptoms often do not appear for a couple of years resulting in AIDS victims passing along the virus unknowingly. In many cases people find out they are positive for AIDS after being treated for prolonged or recurring illnesses, which are symptoms of AIDS.
Many college campuses offer free AIDS testing and condoms. Clinics and organizations, like the Monterey County AIDS Project also offer these services.
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