Open AccessThe Fight Against HIV Is a Fight for Human Rights: A Personal Reflection
Author(s) -
Thomas J. Coates
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1944-7884
pISSN - 1525-4135
DOI - 10.1097/qai.0000000000002165
Subject(s) - human rights , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , ethnic group , political science , colonialism , economic growth , criminology , sociology , law , medicine , virology , economics
The fight against HIV started and continues to be a fight for human rights. AIDS was observed first in the United States in marginalized and stigmatized populations such as men who have sex with men, injection drug users, and commercial sex workers. Next were the observations of generalized epidemics in sub-Saharan Africa, a continent crippled by the legacy of colonialism. AIDS appeared in post-World War II, which witnessed independence of the former European colonies and the creation of the United Nations. There was remarkable advocacy that led to important advances in the rights of ethnic and racial minorities, sexual minorities, and women. This foundation of activism laid the groundwork to ensure that AIDS, and those infected with HIV, were addressed using the best of human rights frameworks. Social and behavioral sciences contributed important data to the human rights advances in the second half of the 20th century, and to the tools and resources needed for a human rights-based response to HIV. Remarkable investment in science have brought us new tools to treat and prevent HIV. Vigorous social and behavioral science research continues to be needed to ensure that the continued response to the HIV epidemic remains evidence-based, recognizing human rights, and ensuring that the scientific advances are available to everyone who needs them. Generations of scientists and activists need to continue as we are far from finished in the fight against HIV and for human rights.