World AIDS Day is a yearly event hosted on December 1st to increase awareness about the AIDS pandemic caused by the transmission of HIV infection and to remember those who have died as a result of the disease. The day is also used to remind people about the importance of HIV prevention, support for people living with HIV, and advocacy for fair and equal access to HIV/AIDS education, assessment, and treatment.
The first World AIDS Day had been managed to hold in 1988, and it has since grown to be among the world’s most recognized campaigns for public health. Every year, World AIDS Day has a different theme and colour palette, and events are held worldwide to commemorate the occasion.
People often wear a red ribbon on World AIDS Day to show their support for those who live with HIV and to recollect those who have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Many organizations and health authorities use the day to launch HIV/AIDS public outreach and education campaigns.
Some ways to participate in World AIDS Day activities include:
- Wearing a red ribbon to express your solidarity with HIV-positive people
- Educating oneself and others on HIV/AIDS and its prevention
- Aiding organizations that work to stop the spread of HIV and to assist people living with HIV.
- Having an HIV test and encouraging others to follow suit
- Advocating for equal and fair access to HIV education, running tests, and treatment.
It is crucial to remember that, despite advancements in the field of HIV/AIDS, it remains a global problem, particularly in low-income countries. Furthermore, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new infections with HIV and AIDS-related deaths have increased again as of 2021. As a result, the focus of World AIDS Day is to remind the public not to relax their guard and to keep fighting the pandemic.
What is the Status of AIDS?
Based on the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), 38.4 million individuals were living with HIV in 2021, with 1.7 million of them being children.
- Women and girls made up 54% of all HIV patients.
- In 2021, 85% of people living with HIV were aware of their HIV status.
AIDS-related diseases claimed the lives of 6,50,000 people in 2021.
Significance of World AIDS Day
WHO is urging world leaders and residents to do everything possible to reduce the disparities that fuel AIDS and reach individuals who are not receiving critical HIV services.
The goal of the day is to remind the public and the government that HIV is still pervasive and that there is a critical need to make people aware, fight prejudice, raise funds, and invest in education about the virus and the disease.
Conclusion
Every year, groups and individuals work to spread knowledge about HIV and AIDS, speak against AIDS stigma, and urge a greater response to help end the AIDS Epidemic.
The day provides an opportunity for people all over the world to come together in the fight against HIV, to support those who are living with the disease, and to learn about the pandemic’s current state.
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