We've seen how well that works with smoking. There are still tons of smokers, and the warning has been on the cigarette pack since I was a kid.
I'm not saying we shouldn't educate, or that it doesn't help (it did with smoking over time). I think there is already plenty of education out there on HIV. I'd be surprised if there is anyone old enough to have sex that isn't aware of the need to use condoms. But there are always going to be idjits who, no matter how aware they are of the dangers, refuse to use condoms. I think continuing to search for a cure is immensely important, because unlike smoking, HIV can be given to someone else. And the idjits who don't use prevention are also the same types that don't get tested. And in many cases, even if they become aware they are infected they don't notify their partners.
Harley, you're right that personal responsibility (specifically with regards to safer sex) is important, but I disagree with almost all of your other points.
1. Smoking rates are down significantly in the US. They've dropped by 1/2 since the mid 1960's and now are below 20%.
U.S. smoking rate is under 20 percent for first time | Health | Reuters. This is evidence that long-term educational efforts and social marketing can effect change in a population's habits.
2. Keep in mind that smoking is a heavily advertised habit. There are few ads out there trying to get people hooked on HIV.
3. As far as plenty of education out there on HIV, I was thinking globally. A huge number of new HIV cases are in Africa and Asia, and that's even with China suppressing its numbers. Thanks to schizophrenic educational programs, lots of young people can tell you that condoms help prevent the spread of HIV, but they aren't given help in dealing with their sexuality. These issues also don't address unequal power in relationships (in which a partner, usually a man, refuses to wear condoms and refuses to take no for an answer) and issues of income (for us a 50-cent condom may be no problem, but if you live on less than $1 a day it's impossible to buy them).
4. I think you can catch smoking from someone else. That's probably how most smokers start -- getting a cig from a friend or family member. How many non-smokers do you know who just "decide" to start smoking?
5. Very few people at all get tested for HIV. For example, I was tested during both of my pregnancies. I went into the testing already knowing my HIV status, and my OB was really surprised that I knew. He said that few women come to his clinic knowing their HIV status. So to say that people who don't get tested are idiots -- well, lots of people don't get tested and they're not all idiots. Issues of insurance and testing availability/cost are probably present, too.
We both clearly agree that HIV is a huge problem, and I don't doubt your (or my) good intentions and compassion for those afflicted. I'm saying, though, that when it comes to effective use of limited resources, effective prevention campaigns DO work (even against things as addictive as smoking) and will win my vote every time.
I love the little darlin' dearly, but it would have been nice if she'd waited a few more years.
