WORLD AIDS DAY

World AIDS Day, December 1, which also launches the start of Aboriginal AIDS Awareness Week in Canada, is a time for reflection: on what we have achieved with regard to the national and global response to HIV, and what we still must achieve.

World AIDS Day is a day dedicated to commemorate those who have passed on and to raise awareness about AIDS and the global spread of the HIV virus.

The first World AIDS Day was held in 1988 after health ministers from around the world met in London, England and agreed to such a day as a way of highlighting the enormity of the AIDS pandemic and nations’ responsibility to ensure universal treatment, care and support for people living with HIV and AIDS.

Led by the World AIDS Campaign organization, the theme for World AIDS Day 2012 is ”Getting to zero.” Zero New HIV Infections. Zero Discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths.

According to the UNAIDS World AIDS Day Report 2012, 1.7 million people worldwide died of AIDS-related illnesses in 2011. By 2011, an estimated 34 million people around the world were living with HIV.

On a national scale, an estimated 71,300 Canadians are living with HIV, and an estimated 3,175 new HIV infections occurred in 2011.

 

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