In 1990, David Kirby, a homosexual man who contracted AIDS during the late 1980s epidemic, is captured in this photograph as he lays dying in a hospice center with his family by his side. Although the image portrays his family providing comfort, in reality, they had rejected him upon discovering his homosexuality, leading him to leave his home and eventually contract the AIDS virus in California. Despite the heartbreaking circumstances, Kirby never held his parents responsible for his tragic demise.
Kirby’s emaciated face symbolizes the harrowing experiences endured by numerous AIDS patients at the onset of the epidemic in 1981. As of the time of this text, HIV has claimed the lives of 36.3 million individuals, with approximately 37.7 million people worldwide currently living with AIDS. Medical advancements and technological progress have significantly improved the treatment of AIDS since the 1980s, resulting in a 23% decline in HIV rates from 2010 to 2020.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the region with the highest HIV prevalence globally, with two-thirds of all AIDS patients residing there. However, concerted efforts to combat AIDS have contributed to a 38% reduction in prevalence between 2010 and 2020.
The AIDS epidemic continues to persist today, with many considering it an ongoing global health issue.
By Rachael Shieley
