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The passing of World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 marks another year in the battle against the worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic. Unfortunately, every year, the epidemic gets worse.

While the disease itself is the final cause of death, many factors contribute to the spread of HIV from one person to the next. Poverty, ignorance, sexual inequality, inaccessible health care, and social stigma are all conducive to furthering the epidemic.

HIV/AIDS has traditionally been a disease associated with gay men. In fact, when first identified in the United States, it was commonly called “Gay Men’s Disease” in medical journals because of the disproportionate number of gay men dying from it. Now, however, AIDS has reached a crucial turning point. Worldwide, women now make up half of the AIDS population.

In many countries, especially India, sexual inequality is to blame for the rise of AIDS in women. Sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV are often associated with promiscuity, but according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, many women in India with HIV are married and monogamous. In India, it is common for men to frequent prostitutes both before and during marriage, thereby greatly increasing chances of exposure. Through no fault of their own, millions of women are being infected by their husbands; as long as monogamy is only enforced one-sidedly, the trend will continue.

Compounding the problem, many world leaders would prefer to sidestep the AIDS issue rather than face it head-on. In June, the United Nations reported that by 2010, China might be facing 10 million to 15 million AIDS cases. The Chinese government immediately denounced the report as biased. Now, however, some Chinese officials are beginning to take the threat seriously, rather than sweeping it under the rug. In India, however, official government predictions of 4 million Indian AIDS cases in 2010 greatly conflict with outside predictions of 25 million cases. Instead of admitting they have a problem, the stigma surrounding AIDS has Indian officials playing down the issue. Ignorance simply exacerbates the situation and accelerates the infection rate.

HIV/AIDS is a worldwide problem with devastating consequences. As infection rates continue to climb with no end in sight, it is important for everyone to stay informed and open-minded. Social stigmas, fear, and ignorance have played a large part in the disease’s spread, and they will continue to do so until everyone is willing to face the problem head-on. Until then, every year, World AIDS Day will simply mark more time wasted and more lives lost.

This is a staff editorial from the Daily Iowan at the University of Iowa. This editorial was distributed by U-Wire.