December 1st each year is World AIDS Day. The World Health Organization (WHO) started World AIDS Day in 1988 to bring people around the world together to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS. But that’s just the beginning.
The WHO hopes that World AIDS Day will demonstrate international unity in the face of this disease. It’s a chance for anyone and everyone to spread awareness, encourage HIV and AIDS prevention, raise money for AIDS charities, champion treatment programs, and more — all around the world.
Some statistics about HIV and AIDS around the world from a 2008 World Health Organization release:
- Around the world, more than thirty-three million people live with HIV.
- Two million people died of AIDS in 2008.
- Nearly three million new people were infected with HIV in 2008.
- The most heavily affected region of the world is Sub-Saharan Africa. This area accounts for 67% of HIV infections worldwide. That includes 68% of new adult infections and a staggering 91% of new HIV infections in children.
The theme of World AIDS Day this year is Universal Access and Human Rights. HIV and AIDS have not gone away. There are too many people who practice behaviors that put themselves and others at risk for HIV and AIDS. There are too many people who don’t have access to treatment if they do have the disease — a 2009 WHO report estimates that five million people around the world don’t or can’t get life-prolonging treatments.
The good news is that access to treatments, prevention, educational information, and more is on the rise. More facilities are offering HIV testing services. More pregnant women have access to antiretroviral drugs that can help prevent the transmission of HIV to their unborn children. More interventions and services are available for populations at highest risk for HIV and AIDS (like sex workers and injected drug users) around the world.
More is good… but universal would be better.
What can you do to help the World AIDS Day effort?
- Get tested for HIV. In 66 countries who reported to WHO, the number of people getting tested more than doubled from 2007 to 2008.
- Practice safe methods to prevent HIV. Don’t have unprotected sex. Don’t share needles if you use injectable drugs.
- Talk about the disease. Education is a HUGE thing you can do — talk to friends, family, colleagues. Encourage people to learn more, to take part in fundraising and awareness events.
- Provide support to people living with HIV and AIDS. Volunteer for an AIDS charity. Donate time or money.
Tonight, I’ll be eating out with friends at a restaurant that is donating a portion of their proceeds to an AIDS charity. Through my writing, I have the chance to promote awareness and education.
What are you doing for World AIDS Day?