GSK Korea said it conducted an internal campaign on Wednesday to improve awareness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diseases in line with the upcoming "World AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) Day" on Dec. 1.
World AIDS Day was established in January 1988 at the World Health Ministers' Meeting held in London, U.K., where the 'London Declaration' was adopted, reflecting the importance of sharing information, education, publicity, and respect for human rights for AIDS prevention.
AIDS is a disease caused by HIV invading the human body and destroying immune cells, thereby impairing the body's immune function. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS, and a person with HIV in their body is called an HIV-infected person.
International organizations and governments worldwide organize various events and campaigns to eliminate prejudice and discrimination by delivering accurate information and prevention methods about AIDS and HIV.
In line with the event, GSK Korea also conducted an event titled "HIV, Moving from Misunderstanding to Empathy in Society" to correct misunderstandings and prejudices about HIV and to share empathy with HIV-infected people.
GSK employees spent time eliminating prejudices against HIV-infected people by reading leaflets containing misunderstandings and truths about HIV.
Additionally, they picked fortune cookies from a Christmas tree containing messages about breaking society's cold gaze and empathizing with HIV-infected people.
"On World AIDS Day, we conducted this event to correct the still prevalent misunderstandings about HIV in society and to convey a heart of support and empathy to HIV-infected people," said Yang Yoo-jin, managing director of GSK Korea's HIV unit. "GSK Korea will continue to strive for the healthy and happy life of HIV-infected people."
GSK Korea had previously launched various campaigns and activities to eliminate discrimination and stigma against HIV-infected people.
Notably, they recently produced a short film on minority diversity titled "YOU=YOU" to eliminate indiscriminate misunderstandings and cold prejudices against HIV diseases and infected people, and it was selected as an official screening work at this year's Korea Queer Film Festival.
Meanwhile, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recently reported that the number of new HIV-infected people in 2022 increased by 9.3 percent compared to the previous year, with the majority being in their 30s (34.9 percent), followed by 20s (31.5 percent), and 40s (16.4 percent).
If HIV is detected early through regular screenings and properly treated, one can maintain a healthy life similar to that of non-infected people and have a comparable life expectancy.
Particularly, if the virus is undetectable (HIV-1 50 copies/mL or less) through treatment, it can also prevent transmission to others.
Since early HIV infection may not show any particular symptoms, GSK Korea stressed regular HIV screenings are recommended for vulnerable groups, even if they do not have symptoms.
HIV screenings can be done anonymously in Korea at any nearby health center.
In line with the event, GSK Korea also conducted an event titled "HIV, Moving from Misunderstanding to Empathy in Society" to correct misunderstandings and prejudices about HIV and to share empathy with HIV-infected people.
GSK employees spent time eliminating prejudices against HIV-infected people by reading leaflets containing misunderstandings and truths about HIV.
Additionally, they picked fortune cookies from a Christmas tree containing messages about breaking society's cold gaze and empathizing with HIV-infected people.
"On World AIDS Day, we conducted this event to correct the still prevalent misunderstandings about HIV in society and to convey a heart of support and empathy to HIV-infected people," said Yang Yoo-jin, managing director of GSK Korea's HIV unit. "GSK Korea will continue to strive for the healthy and happy life of HIV-infected people."
GSK Korea had previously launched various campaigns and activities to eliminate discrimination and stigma against HIV-infected people.
Notably, they recently produced a short film on minority diversity titled "YOU=YOU" to eliminate indiscriminate misunderstandings and cold prejudices against HIV diseases and infected people, and it was selected as an official screening work at this year's Korea Queer Film Festival.
Meanwhile, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency recently reported that the number of new HIV-infected people in 2022 increased by 9.3 percent compared to the previous year, with the majority being in their 30s (34.9 percent), followed by 20s (31.5 percent), and 40s (16.4 percent).
If HIV is detected early through regular screenings and properly treated, one can maintain a healthy life similar to that of non-infected people and have a comparable life expectancy.
Particularly, if the virus is undetectable (HIV-1 50 copies/mL or less) through treatment, it can also prevent transmission to others.
GSK Korea said HIV screenings can be anonymously conducted at any nearby health center in Korea, emphasizing the importance of regular screenings for vulnerable groups, even in the absence of symptom