Sex and Aids in Canada

5 Pages 1317 Words

As of 2001, close to 40 million people are living with HIV/Aids and close to 3 million died from it. By 2004, Aids will be the leading cause of death on the planet.
(UNAIDS 2002). These are startling figures that no doubt impress upon any global policy maker to try to do more to help find a cure. In the meantime, the media has helped to ensure that the vast majority of global citizens are educated on and aware of the threat posed by this merciless virus.
It is estimated by UNAIDS that close to 55 000 Canadians are presently infected with HIV. The disease that was once labeled the “gay man’s disease” no longer discriminates, everyone person who chooses to become sexually active risks exposure. Although reported HIV cases have ceased to increase in recent years across our country, certain social groups in our communities instead have witnessed a steady elevation within their populations. This essay will attempt to prove that societal marginalization and discrimination against aboriginals, drug injection users and gays have contributed to the steady rise of HIV infection rates and diminished the effectiveness of health promotion initiatives within these groups.
The economic and social power imbalance between Aboriginals and Non-Aboriginals in Canada plagues reserve and off-reserve communities with a host of social problems. Aboriginals represent a higher percentage of Canada’s inmate population which places them in a more high risk scenario for exposure to HIV. Once released, they may return home and unknowingly infect other members of their community. In 1996, 9% of all new HIV infections in Canada were among Aboriginals which is an alarming statistic considering they only represent 2.8% of our country’s total population.

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Health Canada also reported that 60% of all aboriginal male reported cases was amongst men who have sex with men. Injection drug use accounts for 54% of accounted aids cases among Abo...