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World AIDS Day – December 1

Every year the world community takes time out to commemorate December 1 as World AIDS Day. That day raises HIV/AIDS plague awareness, presents solidarity towards HIV sufferers and commemorates victims. This is how World AIDS Day has evolved since its launch in 1988 that time during which humanity will reflect on what has been accomplished concerning combating HIV/AIDS yet at the same time the very many things that are remaining.

What is HIV & AIDS ?

HIV is the Human Immunodeficiency Virus, an infection that attacks the immune system and breaks the body’s defence against infection and certain types of cancer. If left unmanaged, the infection leads to AIDS, a severe phase of infection.

Early and consistent treatment of the AIDS victim may make HIV a chronic disease since there is no known medicine in the world that cures HIV. This can facilitate the long life and better health of people living with HIV and significantly prevents the transmission of HIV.

History and Significance of World AIDS Day

The World Health Organization and the United Nations have designated this day as World AIDS Day, marking awareness of the impact the HIV/AIDS epidemic has across the world. It is a day of remembrance as well as a call to action.

Each year, the theme of World AIDS Day is different, emphasizing a variety of challenges and priorities in its fight against HIV/AIDS. Some recent themes are “End Inequalities. End AIDS” and “Global Solidarity, Shared Responsibility,” with all still related to inclusiveness, equal accessibility of care, and community participation.

Statistics: Global HIV/AIDS Current Stats

There have been different advances in battling HIV/AIDS; however, these are disquieting statistics:
  • There are 38 million people worldwide infected with HIV.
  • More than 1.5 million new infections occur annually.
  • About 650,000 people die from AIDS-related illnesses annually.
  • Millions lack access to life-saving ART, mainly in low-income and marginalized populations.
These statistics call for more global efforts toward the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets: 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of those diagnosed are accessing treatment, and 95% of those on treatment are achieving viral suppression.
Role of Education in Fighting HIV/AIDS
World AIDS Day calls up the importance of distributing effective messages on prevention, testing, and treatment. The major points of prevention are:
  • Safe Healthy Sex Practices: Proper condom use with annual sexual health testing.
  • Preventive Drugs: Pre-exposure as well as post-exposure prophylactics prevent the contracting of HIV in both circumstances.
  • HIV Testing: Early diagnosis leads to better treatment.
  • Safe Injection Practices: Use of used syringes and needles is also avoided.
  • Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission: HIV-infected pregnant women undergoing ART reduce the risk to babies.
Breaking Barriers: Overcoming Stigma and Discrimination

One of the significant barriers to the war against HIV/AIDS is stigma. People infected with HIV are treated with discrimination within healthcare delivery and other jobs and societal services, thereby discouraging other persons from seeking a test or even accepting any treatment, worse health consequences, and therefore fueling this epidemic.

Debunk myths, stereotypes, and prejudices on this World AIDS Day; create compassionate and inclusive attitudes, such that the whole world has a supporting shoulder and a hopeful voice that it is time to find out more or seek care.

How You Can Make a Difference?
There are various ways through which an individual can help make progress in this fight against HIV/AIDS both today on World AIDS Day and always.
  • Wear Red Ribbon: The red ribbon is a symbol worldwide for people living with HIV. It represents unity and solidarity.
  • Education: Share appropriate information in your community regarding HIV/AIDS.
  • Get Tested: It is necessary to know your status for one's health and others' health as well.
  • HIV Organization Support: Donate or volunteer for the treatment, support, and education organizations.
  • Equitable Access Advocacy: Be the voice of the policies of equal access to health care.

The advancement of the care and research of HIV presents hope even as the years go by. The modern regimes of the ART are efficacious so that persons become able to achieve an undetectable viral load and therefore, cannot transmit the virus to other people (U=U: Undetectable = Untransmittable).

New horizons include long-acting injectable treatments and potential vaccines that will bring a future with fewer infections and improved quality of life for those living with HIV.

Remembering Lives Lost
World AIDS Day also commemorates the millions lost to AIDS since the disease first emerged. Their remembrance is the source of strength, as it spurs commitment towards achieving an AIDS-free generation.
Looking Ahead: Ending the Epidemic

So, HIV/AIDS has still not gained over the world. Ending the epidemic by 2030, which is a rather ambitious target, would be such a shared push against the inequalities and universal access to healthcare on prevention at least.

Let us all pay homage to those who have been or are being affected by this dastardly HIV/AIDS on this World AIDS Day and renew our commitment to work on the stigma, awareness creation, and scientific input needed to eradicate this evil from society.