AIDS: a worldwide effort can stop it

AIDS: a worldwide effort @ I < A street parade and a sketch (top and right) publicise what can be done to stop AIDS. People with AIDS (below) need help and support. Voluntary and confidential blood tests (foot of page) can play an important role in pro- grammes to control AIDS. The little logo incorporating the male symbol is used in Spain to promote condom use. WHO's Global AIDS Strategy is a deter- mined effort to assist and unite all coun- tries in a rational, co- ordinated and effective way to pre- vent the spread of AIDS and to reduce its impact on individuals and societies. Information and education are essential to this strategy - but alone they are not sufficient. They must be linked to health and social services so as to provide support for sustained behaviour change. Counselling is vital, in order to motivate people and help them to avoid the behaviours that carry @ a risk of HIV transmission, but also to ~ provide those who are infected with ~ H IV with practical assistance and ~ psychosocial support. a: To be successful, preventive < measures must also take place in a social environment that encourages a reduced risk of infection and which offers support to HIV-infected people, including people with AIDS. This is why WHO has stated that measures such as isolation, quarantine or other forms of discrimination against people with HIV infection or with AIDS can only be harmful to all. • WORLD HEALTH. October 1989 will stop itl Parents visiting their sick son are in no danger of being infected. Meanwhile the worJd}wjde search for a vaccine or a treatment con- tinues. A centrifuge helps in the analysis of infected blood (right), and, in a specialised research labora- tory (below) workers handle samples containing the virus. W ORLD HEALTH . October 1989 tt ~f AiDS Ple me AltiS HOTUNE FOR l®S CBmi1. fORA'lmlJ!)lNAl HEAI.ING 9MA!Nst.~CA94970, (4l 435-5022 Just two of the hundreds of posters that are successfully promoting sensible behaviour: non- discrimination toward people with AIDS (in the USA), and condom use (in Thailand).