World AIDS Day, 2010

Today, 1^st December 2010, is World AIDS Day. 

Over 90,000 people are living with HIV in the UK and new infections continue every year. World AIDS Day 2010 is all about raising awareness to tackle HIV prejudice and help stop the spread of HIV.

According to experts from the Health Protection Agency, over 22,000, a quarter of people with HIV in the UK, are unaware that they have the virus.

Children living with HIV/AIDS are the most heartbreakingly innocent victims in that almost all were infected during pregnancy, birth or through breastfeeding. 430,000 new infections occurred in 2008, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

The science of paediatric treatment lags that for adults; the virus is difficult to detect in babies and its advance can be very rapid.

Started on 1st December 1988, World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education. 

The World AIDS Day theme for 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'.

World AIDS Day is important for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.

According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2009, 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS.

To help raise awareness, the red ribbon is an international symbol of AIDS awareness that is worn by people all year round and particularly around World AIDS Day to demonstrate care and concern about HIV and AIDS, and to remind others of the need for their support and commitment.

Visit http://www.worldaidsday.org/ for more information.

BE AWARE – TAKE ACTION!!!


Much love,


Anokhi