According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 36.7 million people living with HIV. During 2016 some 1.8 million people became newly infected with the virus. Despite a significant decline in the estimated number of AIDS-related deaths over the last five years, there were still an estimated 1 million AIDS-related deaths in 2016.
The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in low- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world. Around half of all people who become infected with HIV do so before they are 25 and are killed by AIDS before they are 35.
Started in 1988, World AIDS Day is not just about raising money, but also about raising awareness, fighting prejudice, and improving education. It is important for all of us to observe this day — to reminding people that HIV has not gone away and that there are many things still to be done.
To Name This Day:
Websites & Organizations
Visit the following sites for information and things to do:
- www.worldaidsday.org
Many resources for helping the fight to end AIDS.
- www.avert.org/worldaid.htm
The theme for World AIDS Day, ideas on what you can do, and a quiz to take.
- United Nations World Aids Day
Statistics, resources and more.
Films