Today is World AIDS Day. It is observed on December 1st. The concept of a World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention as a means to draw attention to the relatively new epidemic. The idea has since been taken up by governments, international organizations and charities around the world, who create events that together serve as an annual international reminder that we must all work together to bring an end to the AIDS epidemic. Since 1995 the President of the United States has made an official proclamation on World AIDS Day. Governments of other nations have followed suit and issued similar announcements.
From 1988 until 2004, UNIAIDS spearheaded the World AIDS Day campaign, choosing annual themes in consultation with other global health organizations. In 2005 this responsibility was turned over to World AIDS Campaign, who chose Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise as the main theme for World AIDS Day observances through 2010, with more specific sub-taglines chosen annually. This theme is not specific to World AIDS Day, but is used year-round in WAC's efforts to highlight HIV/AIDS awareness within the context of other major global events. 2007's theme is "Stop AIDS. Keep the promise - Leadership".
In 2007, approximately 33.2 million people worldwide were living with HIV, and more than 2 million people died from AIDS. In the U.S., an estimated 1 million people are living with HIV; of these, approximately 25 percent are unaware of their HIV infection and ARE at risk for infecting others.
Over 5,700 people die everyday from AIDS-related illnesses in 2007. Over 6,800 people are still being infected with HIV daily, about 1,200 of whom are children under 15 and about 2,900 are women 15 years and older. The infection rates in young people ages 15-24 remain high. We know these infections and deaths are preventable and avoidable if promises by countries to scale up access to prevention, treatment, care and support for all are to be fulfilled by 2010. The reduced figures for the HIV epidemic and stabilization in some areas of rates of infection in fact make such universal access by 2010 more achievable.
Getting tested for HIV remains an important part of preventing the spread of HIV, both in the United States and worldwide. People who know they are HIV infected can fully benefit from available life-saving treatments. They can also take steps to protect their partners and protect their community. Being tested for HIV also is important since unrecognized HIV infections account for more than half of all new sexually transmitted HIV infections each year.
In the United States: the CDC recommends that adults and adolescents between the ages of 13– 64 years be routinely screened for HIV infection in all healthcare settings. Pregnant women in the US should be screened for HIV infection as part of the routine panel of prenatal tests. To find a HIV testing site center near you, visit HIVtest.org or, on your cell phone, text your zip code to Know It – 566948.
Around the World: For World AIDS Day, CDC is releasing a critical new HIV testing and counseling tool, the Couples HIV Counseling and Testing (CHCT) Intervention and Training Curriculum. For more information, visit the CDC.gov Global AIDS feature.
From 1988 until 2004, UNIAIDS spearheaded the World AIDS Day campaign, choosing annual themes in consultation with other global health organizations. In 2005 this responsibility was turned over to World AIDS Campaign, who chose Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise as the main theme for World AIDS Day observances through 2010, with more specific sub-taglines chosen annually. This theme is not specific to World AIDS Day, but is used year-round in WAC's efforts to highlight HIV/AIDS awareness within the context of other major global events. 2007's theme is "Stop AIDS. Keep the promise - Leadership".
In 2007, approximately 33.2 million people worldwide were living with HIV, and more than 2 million people died from AIDS. In the U.S., an estimated 1 million people are living with HIV; of these, approximately 25 percent are unaware of their HIV infection and ARE at risk for infecting others.
Over 5,700 people die everyday from AIDS-related illnesses in 2007. Over 6,800 people are still being infected with HIV daily, about 1,200 of whom are children under 15 and about 2,900 are women 15 years and older. The infection rates in young people ages 15-24 remain high. We know these infections and deaths are preventable and avoidable if promises by countries to scale up access to prevention, treatment, care and support for all are to be fulfilled by 2010. The reduced figures for the HIV epidemic and stabilization in some areas of rates of infection in fact make such universal access by 2010 more achievable.
Getting tested for HIV remains an important part of preventing the spread of HIV, both in the United States and worldwide. People who know they are HIV infected can fully benefit from available life-saving treatments. They can also take steps to protect their partners and protect their community. Being tested for HIV also is important since unrecognized HIV infections account for more than half of all new sexually transmitted HIV infections each year.
In the United States: the CDC recommends that adults and adolescents between the ages of 13– 64 years be routinely screened for HIV infection in all healthcare settings. Pregnant women in the US should be screened for HIV infection as part of the routine panel of prenatal tests. To find a HIV testing site center near you, visit HIVtest.org or, on your cell phone, text your zip code to Know It – 566948.
Around the World: For World AIDS Day, CDC is releasing a critical new HIV testing and counseling tool, the Couples HIV Counseling and Testing (CHCT) Intervention and Training Curriculum. For more information, visit the CDC.gov Global AIDS feature.
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