Miss Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach spoke about the disparities in HIV/AIDS during a recent talk at a youth event where she was a guest speaker.
Wurtbach stressed the importance of having knowledge of HIV/AIDs and its impact on one’s health, as can be gleaned from her Instagram post on Aug. 13.
“I’m so thrilled to be invited to the 11th Global Youth Summit to talk about Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being: Addressing Health Disparities. With @UNAIDS AP, we wanted to highlight some of the disparities in HIV/AIDS,” she said while sharing snaps during her talk.
To enlighten her IG followers, she shared some key takeaways from the talk.
Wurtzbach said that “the Philippines is still the fastest growing epidemic in the Asia Pacific region in terms of new HIV infection.”
“By 2030, the estimated new infections will double the 2022 estimates and close to half of them will be less than 25 years old,” she said.
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The sad part, she stressed is that “knowledge on HIV prevention remains to be low and comprehensive sexual education is not yet mainstreamed in all learning institutions.”
With this, she feels that the best time to address the issue is now.
“Need for comprehensive sexuality education in ALL learning institutions before the age of 16,” she said, noting that “combination prevention package (HIV information, condoms, lubes, PrEP) should be available for ALL AT RISK YOUTH in the entire country.”
She cited some ways by which to address the dreaded disease, saying “HIV testing should be offered and available to ALL consenting minors starting at 15 years old without stigma and discrimination in ALL Health facilities and other testing modalities.”
For her, there should be a “vigorous online presence of HIV prevention information and virtual access to prevention commodities and services,” believing that there should be a “local level program and appropriate funding on HIV and other infectious diseases for ALL Local government units.”
She likewise believes that there should also be a “stronger youth presence in discussions on health and social issues.” /ra
