Today December 1 is World AIDS Day

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 between 1981 and 2007, and an estimated 33 million people

worldwide live with HIV as of 2007, 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 2

million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children. The concept of a World AIDS Day originated at the 1988 World

Summit of Ministers of Health on Programmes for AIDS Prevention. Since then, it has been taken up by governments,

international organizations and charities around the world.

World AIDS Day Themes 1988 - present

1988 Communication
1989 Youth
1990 Women and AIDS
1991 Sharing the Challenge
1992 Community Commitment
1993 Act
1994 AIDS and the Family
1995 Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1996 One World. One Hope
1997 Children Living in a World with AIDS
1998 Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
1999 Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
2000 AIDS: Men Make a Difference
2001 I care. Do you?
2002 Stigma and Discrimination
2003 Stigma and Discrimination
2004 Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
2005 Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
2006 Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Accountability
2007 Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Leadership
2008 Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise - Lead - Empower - Deliver


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