AIDS is a public health issue, perhaps the most important such issue in recorded history. Although the AIDS pandemic reached its peak in 2005 and has declined since, there are still around 37 million people worldwide who are HIV positive. Moreover, as of 2017, AIDS has been responsible for the deaths of 28.9 million to 41.5 million people around the world. Raising awareness about this disease is absolutely vital. This is why the WHO has marked the World AIDS Day as one of eight official global campaigns.
What is World AIDS Day?
1st December is the day designated as World AIDS Day, an international day that is meant to spread awareness about AIDS. However, this is not the only reason this day is celebrated. It also allows people who aren’t HIV positive to support and ally with those people who are. It is also a day when those who eventually succumbed to the disease are commemorated. It is the first ever day dedicated to a global public health issue.
Importance of World AIDS Day
There is no denying the fact that the spread of AIDS isn’t as rampant as it once was. Thanks to awareness campaigns, scientific advances and new treatments we can understand and combat the disease better. However, there is no avoiding the fact that nearly 37 million people are living with this disease and new pockets of infection are being discovered every day. Moreover, people with AIDS are still subjected to discrimination and live in fear of the stigma that the disease carries with it. Therefore, it becomes very important to remind everyone that AIDS is still very much out there; the government and public must continue to spread awareness, raise funds and combat the prejudice and discrimination that people who are HIV positive face. This is why World AIDS Day is celebrated annually as a reminder that AIDS hasn’t gone away.
What to do on World AIDS Day/Activities
On World AIDS Day, we need to show our support for those who are living with this disease and those who have been struck down by it. One of the most common ways to show solidarity is to wear the HIV Awareness red ribbon. These ribbons can be found in packs of 100 at the online store of the National AIDS Trust or NAT. The order is free but those who buy the packs must show that they will use the ribbons for fundraising. The Trust also sells red ribbon brooches from the online store. Another way to show support is to either organize or participate in World AIDS Day events.
Conclusion
While the AIDS pandemic has been contained to a certain degree, the disease has still not been eradicated. Until that goal is reached, World AIDS Day needs to continue so that people don’t labour under the misconception that this deadly disease is gone; instead there is awareness about the disease, its prevention and its treatment.
blogpay
and its treatment.
Total Comments: 0