8 Important Facts About World AIDS Day
December 1, 2009 by Star Stevenson
Filed under Health & Well Being
As some of you may or may not know, today December 1st is World AIDS Day. The best way to inform and spread awareness is with facts so I thought I would take a little time out from the world of shopping, fashion and beauty to do my small part for this important day.
Image: Zuma Press
1. World AIDS Day occurs every year on December 1st and this day is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection.
2. AIDS has killed more than 25 million people between 1981 and 2007. Despite nearly a quarter of a century of treatment and research, nearly two million die from AIDS every year.
3. There are an estimated 33.2 million people worldwide who live with HIV and nearly three million new cases of the disease occurred this year alone.
4. World AIDS Day was first established in August 1987 by two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS, James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter. After teaming up with Dr. Jonathan Mann, Director of UNAIDS, they decided December 1st was the best date because it was far enough away from campaign election news and early enough to be separate from the holiday craze.
5. The first observance of the World AIDS Day campaign occurred on December 1st, 1988.
6. Every year World AIDS Day has a theme and this year’s theme is Universal Access and Human Rights.
7. The red ribbon has been an international symbol of AIDS awareness since 1991. It is worn to show support for people living with HIV and as a memorial for those who lost the battle against AIDS.
8. In the social media world, Twitter is observing World AIDS Day by asking people around the world to “tweet” with tags such as #WorldAidsDay, #red or #laceupsavelives and turning tweets the color red.
Want to support the cause? You can do so from the comfort of your own home by picking up a few of the Product Red items or a cute new handbag from Jimmy Choo!
For more information visit these helpful sites. Do your part to spread awareness, contribute and support the global fight against AIDS.
WorldAIDSDay.org
WorldAIDSCampaign.org
UNAIDS.org
AIDS.gov
Avert.org
JoinRED
NextAid.org
Bid2BeatAIDS
FaceAIDS.org
