World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day is on 1 December 1st every year.
It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV, and commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first-ever global health day.
Why World AIDS Day is important
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.
Over 105,200 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 38.4 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-related illnesses, 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 over 4,000 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.
Statement courtesy of the National AIDS Trust
THE URGENCY OF NOW
UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2024
"This report shows that world leaders can fulfil their promise to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030, and in so doing prevent millions of AIDS-related deaths, prevent millions of new HIV infections, and ensure the almost 40 million people living with HIV have healthy, full lives. Through powerful case studies and new data, the report shows how some countries are already on the right path = and how all countries can get on it
The report also shows that, right now, the world is not on track to succeed, and the inequalities that drive the HIV pandemic are not being addressed sufficiently. It shows that due to the lack of progress on prevention, global numbers of new HIV infections are not declining fast enough, and in three regions of the world numbers of HIV infections are rising. It shows that almost a quarter of people living with HIV are not receiving lifesaving treatment, and consequently a person dies from AIDS-related causes every minute."
WINNIE BYANYIMA
UNAIDS Executive Director
More on the 2024 Global AIDS Update
LET COMMUNITIES LEAD
World AIDS Day 2023
The world can end AIDS, with communities leading the way. Organisations of communities living with, at risk of, or affected by HIV are the frontline of progress in the HIV response. Communities connect people with person-centred public health services, build trust, innovate, monitor implementation of policies and services, and hold providers accountable.
But communities are being held back in their leadership. Funding shortages, policy and regulatory hurdles, capacity constraints, and crackdowns on civil society and on the human rights of marginalised communities, are obstructing the progress of HIV prevention and treatment services. If these obstacles are removed, community-led organisations can add even greater impetus to the global HIV response, advancing progress towards the end of AIDS.
Read more on the UNAIDS website:
“The end of AIDS is possible, it is within our grasp” says UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima. “To follow the path that ends AIDS, the world needs to let communities lead.”
UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2023
THE PATH THAT ENDS AIDS
This report makes clear that there is a path to end AIDS.
This report makes clear that there is a path to end AIDS. Taking that path will help ensure preparedness to address other pandemic challenges and advance progress across the Sustainable Development Goals. The data and real-world examples in the report make it very clear what that path is. It is not a mystery. It is a choice. Some leaders are already following the path—and succeeding. It is inspiring to note that Botswana, Eswatini, Rwanda, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zimbabwe have already achieved the 95–95–95 targets, and at least 16 other countries (including eight in sub-Saharan Africa) are close to doing so.