Students were subjected to some HIV/AIDS shock therapy Tuesday during World AIDS Day to help them realize just how prevalent the disease has become in society.
The event, which was recognized internationally on Sunday, was held between the Duck Pond and Zimmerman Library and, according to event organizers, was to show the UNM community how close to home the epidemic is.
"We are trying to make an impression on people by showing them the tragic statistics regarding this disease and shocking them into realizing how drastically it is affecting our society," said Jeremy Jaramillo, director of Students Educating Peers About Sex.
Jaramillo said that it is especially important to reach college students, as a majority of the University population is sexually active and at a high risk of contracting the virus.
Michelle Amaya, a peer health educator with the Student Health Center, agreed, noting the statistic that heterosexual women are one of the highest demographics contracting HIV in the United States.
"A lot of people aren't as educated as they should be about HIV and AIDS," Amaya said. "The unfortunate reality is that many people don't think they are susceptible to the disease. It is this lack of information that allows the disease to continue to affect our way of life."
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
The event included free condoms and on-site HIV testing, done through oral tests in which the inside of the mouth is scraped and the saliva is tested for the presence of HIV antibodies.
Participants of the free testing will receive the confidential results within several days.
Jaramillo said that while the oral test method is very accurate in determining HIV presence, it is impossible to contract the disease through saliva, a widely believed myth.
Several information booths were set up by local organizations, including the Women's Resource Center, Planned Parenthood, New Mexico Aids Services, the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League, American Red Cross, First Nations and M Power, which is a division of New Mexico Aids Services.
"I think it is important to have events like this on campus," said Mara Jaramillo, a junior majoring in psychology. "I think the statistics and activities they had definitely left an impression on some people. I know they did on me."
Red ribbons were strung throughout campus, with each one representing people who have contracted HIV/AIDS in the United States.
To date, between 630,000 and 897,000 people are living with the disease nationally.
"It was amazing how many ribbons there were," said Jennifer Gonzales, a junior majoring in business. "It's shocking how many lives have been affected by this disease."
Jaramillo pointed out that although HIV is not reported on as much in the media these days, it remains the second leading cause of death among Americans aged 25-44, and that one out of every four people who become infected with HIV is below the age of 20.
The Student Health Center and Students Educating Peers About Sex co-sponsored the event.
"Education about this disease needs to increase dramatically, especially among our generation," said Jaramillo. "We are the future, and it is up to us to ensure the health and happiness of generations to come."
