Throughout the past five decades, positive changes have been seen in regards to HIV and AIDS. However, many myths still abound as old misperceptions resurface, and with new HIV research showing promise to prevent transmission, we are likely to see more dramatic perception change in the following decades.
An interesting visual representation of HIV perception changes can be viewed at the National Library of Medicine (NLM): HIV/AIDS Posters that span the years 1986-1994.
My favorite poster is from a fraternity (1990) including Egyptian-style illustration of a man and woman having sex in a very awkward and back-breaking position, with the tag line: "If you think this looks dangerous, try doing it without a condom".
Here is a glimpse of where we've been through the decades:
1950-1960s
In the beginning of the HIV epidemic, fear and ignorance led to hostile, even violent treatment towards individuals living with HIV. The harshest of suggested “treatments” including “forced quarantine of all people living with HIV” (NLM).
1970-1980s
A teenager named Ryan White (1971-1990) is credited with forcing AIDS issues onto the public agenda through a “landmark legal battle with the school system” when HIV was still misunderstood or ignored as a homosexual disease (People That Changed the Perception of HIV).
Ryan White was born a hemophiliac, diagnosed with AIDS at age 13 (see a picture of Ryan with his mom), and contracted HIV through a blood transfusion (HIV tests were uncommon, and much of the blood supply was tainted at this time). He was not allowed to attend school, as it was still erroneously believed that HIV could be acquired by casual contact.
The Ryan White Act (1990) was enacted by Congress just months after his death, and federal funds provided medical care to people infected with HIV in disproportionally high areas of the U.S., as well as preventative and educational services nationwide. (HRSA: Ryan White).
1980s
Ignorance and prejudice begins to takes a back seat as more individuals are educated about HIV, and myths are demystified. Some misconceptions still abound, as recently as 1983 reports are published claiming “household contact may transmit HIV”.
In an effort to increase awareness and education, a unique awareness campaign began in 1987: the AIDS Memorial Quilt. The “largest ongoing community arts project in the world”, The Quilt includes over 91,000 names of people who have lost their lives to HIV/AIDS, with over 400 countries contributing panels to the quilt.
Today, the quilt is displayed in small sections around the world, and at many Universities throughout the month of December. The quilt is too large to display in its entirety in any one location, as it is weighs over 54 tons and spans more than 26 football fields.
You can see the last display of The Quilt in its entirety (1996) as it spanned the entire National Mall in Washington, D.C. (The Quilt Grows).
1990s
“Basketball legend Magic Johnson is without doubt the most prominent sportsman to have had a positive HIV test. During a physical before the 91-92 NBA season, Johnson was tested positive, and immediately announced he would retire and dedicate his life to battling the deadly disease”.
Magic Johnson was an exceptional, well-liked public figure, and helped to “debunk the homosexual myth” by proving that HIV can affect anyone-- even “prominent heterosexual athletes”. Magic Johnson was visual, living proof that life goes on after an HIV diagnosis (he returned to play for the Lakers, five years after his diagnosis), athletes could play on the same court as an HIV-positive person, and not become infected.
2000s to Today
Still in 2009, HIV transmission misconceptions were considerable, as The Kaiser Family Foundation released the results of a survey in 2009, finding: “one in ten Americans believed that HIV could be transmitted through sharing a drinking glass, touching a toilet seat, or swimming in a pool with someone who is HIV-positive”. However, the promising news: this misinformation was primarily found among the elderly, as presumably the younger generations were receiving updated information.
Today, in 2010, new discoveries in HIV research are promising, yet what has consistently shown as having the biggest impact on changing AIDS perceptions is the human aspect: “Time and again, an essential element of what has caused social attitudes to change has been when the public sees and interacts with people who are openly living with HIV”. (Valdiserri, RO. HIV/AIDS stigma: an impediment to public health. Am J Public Health 2002;92(3):341-342.).
In a letter written by Elton John to Ryan White (April 2010), 20 years after his death, "You were 18 when you died, and you would be 38 this year, if only the current treatments existed when you were sick. I think about this every day, because America needs your message of compassion as never before."