World AIDS Days

Today marks WORLD AIDS DAY. Please know that the AIDS Epideic is on the rise throughout the world. Educated yourself about the basics of HIV/AIDS. CLICK HERE. The global statistics are shocking and the irony is: the spread of AIDS can be prevented! PLEASE, if you are sexually active, please take precautions and get tested!!!

Facts and Statistcs

New HIV cases in 2008

• 7,298 new diagnoses
• The two groups most affected remain gay and bisexual men and black African heterosexuals.  Three-quarters of people diagnosed were among these two groups.
• 2,760 new diagnoses among men who have sex with men
• 2,790 new diagnoses among people from black and minority ethnic communities

All figures from the Health Protection Agency report: HIV in the United Kingdom: 2009 Report.

International Statistics

• HIV is increasing in every region of the world

People living with HIV globally

• 33.4 million people living with HIV worldwide
• 31.3 million adults
• 15.7 million women
• 2.1 million children under 15

New HIV cases in 2007

• 2.7 million people
• 2.3 million adults
• 430,000 children under 15
• HIV-related deaths in 2007:
• 2 million total deaths

*All stats are from http://www.worldaidsday.org/

If you are interested….

• The Mass Art College has an exhibit about AIDS awareness. I went Thanksgiving weekend and it was so powerful!
• There are posters from all over the world advocating against the spread of HIV
• If you would like to go, visit the MASSART Website

 

World AIDS Day

December 1st is World AIDS Day. Celebrate Life and together, let’s find a cure for those living with HIV/AIDS.

This cause is something that is very close to my heart. Not only do I currently have friends who are infected with this virus, but I have also lost friends as well. My time spent in Southern Africa really affected my view on how we, as a striving country treat those with HIV/AIDS, but definately opened my eyes to this epidemic. Developing national struggle for not only healthcare and viable medical resources, but desperately need education to sustain themselves in a modern world.

So, today, please educate yourself on this global pandemic. I have listed statistics below and have put links to informative websites.

One more thing, if you are sexually active, please protect yourself and get tested.

~Ms. G

Global Statistics:

• More than two million AIDS related deaths reported globally in 2008 
•  Two million children under the age of 15 now live with HIV
•  Globally, for every five people infected, only two start treatment
• From a 2008 report, there are 39 million adults (15+) living with HIV/AIDS and 1.2 million adults in North America

For more information:

Global Health Reporting

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Compaign

*information from The World Health Organization, Global Health Reporting and The World AIDS campaign.