World AIDS Day, observed December 1 each year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection.
AIDS has killed more than 25 million people, with an estimated 38.6 million people living with HIV, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history.
Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 3.1 million (between 2.8 and 3.6 million) lives in 2005 of which, more than half a million (570,000) were children.
More information at; World AIDS Day
- Over 5,700 people died each day from AIDS-related illnesses in 2007.
- Over 6,800 people are being infected with HIV daily,
- About 1200 of whom are children under 15 and
- About 2,900 are women 15 years and older.
- The infection rates in young people ages 15-24 remain frighteningly high.
We know these infections and these deaths are preventable and avoidable if promises by countries to scale up access to prevention, treatment, care and support for all are to be fulfilled by 2010.