HIV AIDS on TV
There are many difficult subjects that we have to deal with all the time. Sometimes, it may be hard for children to talk to parents, or vice-versa when it comes to these issues. That is why it is always a great thing when popular media takes it upon themselves to educate society about things that are important to everyone, whether we are already familiar with them or not. For example, HIV and AIDS were brought into the forefront by many different media venues, at a time when the majority believed that they were diseases that only affected homosexuals, Haitians, hemophiliacs, and heroin users. Television dramas and documentaries increased awareness of HIV and AIDS when they were relatively new viruses across the globe. Here are some of the programs on television that helped to bring HIV and AIDS into the public eye, which in turn may have saved several thousand lives.
1. The Test of Time: From HIV to AIDS – This was a television documentary that followed people that were infected with HIV and AIDS, and also showed the effect that it has on their families. This was a very emotional documentary that changed the way that people viewed the viruses. This documentary aired in 1990, the same year that the first full length feature dealing with the diseases, Longtime Companion, hit theaters. This year was an important year for increasing awareness of HIV and AIDS.
2. Friends For Life: Living With AIDS – This is a heartbreaking 1998 documentary that details the lives of children that have been affected by both HIV and AIDS. It is very difficult to watch children that did not have a chance to live a normal life. Usually children become infected while in the womb, during childbirth, or because of breastfeeding. Also, there have been cases where people became infected during blood transfusions. It is tragic that they have to deal with this horrible disease when they had nothing to do with its contraction.
3. Shouting Silent – This followed children who had been orphaned because of their parents deaths due to HIV and AIDS. Released in 2002, this is a very upsetting tale which shows how difficult it is for women to prevail in society when they are stuck raising their siblings from a young age. With portions of Africa housing almost a third of the deaths related to these viruses, orphaned children is a large concern. There is nobody around to help them through their situation and children quickly lose their own childhoods while taking on the responsibilities left behind by their parents.
These are only a few of the specials and documentaries that are available. This type of film-making has an enormous effect on us as a people, and we need brave people to get out there and educate people. Whether it is about AIDS and HIV, or anything else that we may have to deal with in the future, films and television programs get information out to people that need it.
