Today’s high school and college students do not remember the time when people with HIV/AIDS were feared because of their illness. People were afraid to touch anyone with the disease, adding insult to their health “injury.” Stigma and fear made it difficult for people with HIV/AIDS to get the support they needed.
Elizabeth Taylor, who died today, was a vocal and courageous HIV/AID advocate at least as far back as 1984. She purposely used her fame and resources to raise awareness, promote education and prevention and raise funds to support research for a cure. For example (and among many other contributions), she co-founded amfAR: The Foundation for AIDS Research and served as its founding national chairman.
In my opinion, Ms. Taylor was a public health hero and a laudable role model. You don’t have to have advanced academic training to identify important public health issues and make a difference!
