
WHAT
IS WORLD AIDS DAY?
World AIDS Day is held on the December 1st each year and it is an
opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their
support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died. World
AIDS Day was the first global health day, held for the first time in 1988.
WHY IS
WORLD AIDS DAY IMPORTANT?
Over 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally
there are an estimated 34 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus
only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or
AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment,
there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more
about the condition. Despite this, each year in the UK around 6,000 people are
diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect
themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many
people living with the condition.
World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and
Government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise
money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
WHAT
SHOULD I DO ON WORLD AIDS DAY?
World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show support to and
solidarity with the millions of people living with HIV. Wearing a red ribbon is
one simple way to do this.
World AIDS Day is also a great opportunity to raise money for NAT (National AIDS Trust) and show your support for people
living with HIV.
BUT
WHAT ABOUT AFTER WORLD AIDS DAY?
Although
World AIDS Day is a great opportunity to talk about HIV, it is important to
keep the momentum going all year round.
Source: Worldaidsday.org