While treatments have improved the lives of many living with HIV/AIDS, they are complex, costly, and can have serious side effects. Treatment is also unable to keep up with the speed at which HIV spreads across communities worldwide. For every person who starts an HIV treatment regimen, at least two other people are newly infected with the virus. An HIV vaccine remains our best hope for ending the scourge of this disease. Finding a vaccine requires the dedication, cooperation and support of not only the scientists conducting the research and the governments, universities, philanthropies and industry that finance it, but also the communities the epidemic has impacted most.
Each trial-whether in South Africa, Thailand or the United States--will help scientists learn more about HIV infection and light the path toward a vaccine that will hopefully one day be both effective and accessible to all. What goes on inside of the lab helps bring us closer to ending HIV/AIDS, but what goes on outside of the lab is equally-if not more-important. Without educators, community activists, supporters, and most importantly the tens of thousands of volunteers who participated in clinical studies, scientists could not successfully conduct their research.
On World AIDS Day, honor those who have been affected by HIV/AIDS by supporting HIV vaccine research. To get involved and help support the cause, click here.
Protect Yourself: To learn more about HIV/AIDS health and safety, click here.
Think you know everything there is to know about HIV/AIDS? Take this quiz and test your knowledge.
