Thursday Marks World Aids Day
Thursday marks World Aids Day which, since 1988 has been observed around the world to commemorate those who have died from the disease and also to raise awareness of the issue and to raise funds for continued research into a possible cure and treatment.
Aids is still being called a world-wide epidemic 30 years after the first diagnosis.
The World Health Authority (WHO) estimates more than 30 million adults and close to 3 million children are sufferers.
While 30 years ago an HIV/Aids diagnoses was seen as a death sentence, today HIV/AIDS is now considered a chronic condition rather than a fatal disease.
Today, despite advances in HIV treatment and in laws designed to protect those living with HIV; many people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others from HIV or about the stigma and discrimination that remain a reality for many people living with HIV.
World AIDS Day is an important reminder to individuals and governments that HIV has not gone away ? there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
The theme for World AIDS Day 2011 is “Getting to Zero.” After 30 years of the global fight against HIV/AIDS, this year the focus is on achieving 3 targets: Zero new HIV infections. Zero discrimination. Zero AIDS-related deaths.
