Every generation has defining health issues. For my parents, it was Polio. For my generation, it is AIDS and HIV.

I was ten-years-old when I first learned about AIDS. I was immediately afraid of this new disease. Thirty years later, the US media largely ignores the disease, except on days like today. Deaths have declined, and treatment has improved.  Globally, it is still a health issue, and the United States is not immune.

My daughter is now ten, and I don’t think she even knows what AIDS is. Is that because as a culture we try to hide the illness and stigmatize those who have it?

Perhaps it’s time to have the conversation…