1994 History
In the US the CDC launched a series of 13 bold and frank AIDS advertisements breaking away from their previous low-key approach. The advertisements focused on the use of condoms, which were rarely seen or even mentioned on American television.
"One of the television ads, entitled Automatic, features a condom making its way from the top drawer of a dresser across the room and into bed with a couple about to make love. The voice-over says, 'it would be nice if latex condoms were automatics. But since they're not using them should be. Simply because a latex condom, used consistently and correctly, will prevent the spread of HIV.'"34
In the UK, the Department of Health vetoed an AIDS campaign promoting safer sex and condoms, developed at a cost of £2 million, on the grounds that it was too explicit.35 The campaign was developed by the Health Education Authority (a government funded body), who later in the year were banned by the Department of Health from distributing the book, "Your Pocket Guide to Sex".36
In February the film maker Derek Jarman died of AIDS. He wrote in the preface of his autobiography:
"On 22nd of December 1986, finding I was body positive, I set myself a target: I would disclose my secret and survive Margaret Thatcher. I did. Now I have my sights on the millennium and a world where we are equal before the law."37
Randy Shilts, author of the book 'And the band played on' also died in February.38
In March, the actor Tom Hanks won an Oscar for playing a gay man with AIDS in the film Philadelphia.39
Official statistics for Brazil, with a population of about 154 million, indicated that some 46,000 cases of AIDS had been recorded, but estimates put the actual number at anywhere between 450,000 and 3 million cases. Two thirds of the known cases were in Sao Paulo state where AIDS was the leading cause of death of women aged 20-35.40
In France, on 7th April all the television networks, public and private, broadcast 'Tous contre le Sida' ('All against AIDS'), a special 4-hour AIDS programme. The aim was to heighten awareness about HIV/AIDS and to raise money.41 The estimated audience for the program was 33 million. Some 32,000 cases of AIDS had been recorded in France, with 15 deaths each day, and an estimated 150,000 people were thought to be infected. 42
During the summer, the AIDS Prevention Agency in Brussels, in collaboration with the European Union, launched a campaign whose central image was 'the flying condom'. This was intended to serve as a visual reminder to young travellers of the risks of HIV infection. The logo was displayed in airports, railway stations, popular holiday destinations and other places young people visited during the summer.43
A large European study on mother-to-child transmission showed that Caesarean section halved the rate of HIV transmission.44
Research indicated that Thailand had reduced its rate of HIV transmission. This was largely due to action by the government, which had distributed condoms to brothels and insisted that they were used consistently; establishments that failed to comply were threatened with closure. Condom use in commercial sex had risen from 14% in 1989 to 94% in 1993.45
By July 1994 the number of AIDS cases reported to the WHO was 985,119. The WHO estimated that the total number of AIDS cases globally had risen by 60% in the past year from an estimated 2.5 million in July 1993 to 4 million in July 1994.46 It was estimated that worldwide there were three men infected for every two women, and that by the year 2000 the number of new infections among women would be equal to that among men.47
At the end of July, the UN Economic and Social Council approved the establishment of a new "joint and cosponsored UN programme on HIV/AIDS" to replace the WHO's Global Programme on AIDS. The separate AIDS programmes of the UNDP, World Bank, UN Population Fund, UNICEF and UNESCO would have headquarters with the WHO in Geneva, starting in 1996.48 Later in the year it was announced that Dr. Peter Piot, the head of the research and intervention programme within the Global Programme on AIDS, would be the head of the new UN program.49
A study, ACTG 076, showed that AZT reduced by two thirds the risk of HIV transmission from infected mothers to their babies.50 Somepeople believed that ACTG076 was:
“the most stunning and important result in clinical acquired immunodeficiency syndrome research to date.”51
And according to Dr Harold Jaffe of the CDC:
“It is the first indication that mother-to-child transmission of HIV can be at least decreased, if not prevented. And it will provide a real impetus for identifying more HIV-infected women during pregnancies so that they could consider the benefit of AZT treatment for themselves and their children.”The New York Times -52
In early August 1994, the Tenth International Conference on AIDS was held in Yokohama, Japan. It was the first of the International Conferences to be held in Asia. No major breakthroughs emerged, and it was announced that in future the international conference would be held every two years.53
Meanwhile in the Russian Federation, deputies in the Russian Parliament, the Duma, voted at the end of October to adopt a law making HIV tests compulsory for all foreign residents, tourists, businessmen and even members of official delegations.54
India by this time had around 1.6 million people living with HIV, up by 60% since 1993. Local and state governments were accused of underusing and misusing HIV prevention funds.55
On 11th November AIDS killed the 22-year old Pedro Zamora. He had become famous when he appeared on MTV's 'Real World' documentary about the real lives of a group of young room mates.56
In December, President Clinton asked Joycelyn Elders to resign from the post of US Surgeon General, following her suggestion during a World AIDS Day conference that school children should, amongst other things, be taught about masturbation. Gay activists defended the Surgeon General and criticised the president's record on AIDS. Fears were expressed that the president's action would discourage other government leaders from speaking frankly about AIDS.
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