Happy 21st, World Aids Day

“Presidents and prime ministers, doctors 
and lawyers, scientists and schoolteachers, 
chief executives and trade union leaders, 
religious groups and communities, and 
– critically – people living with HIV, are 
coming together in a brilliant coalition 
that has proved that, with clear targets and 
strong commitment, we can move mountains.”

- UNAIDS Executive Director Peter Piot
2008 World AIDS Day message

Twenty-one years ago, health department ministers from around the world joined forces to fight the global pandemic that has come to be known as HIV/AIDS. 

The aim of every World AIDS Day is to bring to people’s attention the worldwide challenges and consequences of the epidemic - and ultimately halting the spread of HIV and improving the lives of people living with the virus. 

And there is much to do. According to UNAIDS:

People living with HIV globally:

• 33 million people living with HIV worldwide
• 30.8 million adults
• 15.5 million women
• 2.0 million children under 15

New HIV cases in 2007:

• 2.7 million total new cases
• 2.3 million adults
• 370,000 children under 15

HIV-related deaths in 2007:

• 2.0 million total deaths

Here is a UNAIDS graphic that shows where geographical lay-out of global AIDS cases. Click on it to enlarge and see in greater detail the countries listed. The map can also be found here

It’s easy to get complacent, so here are some quizzes from the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition to test your knowledge on HIV and its relation to women, minorities, youth, and the MSM. Click through and see if you’re as up to date on 21st century HIV/AIDS as you think you are.

And of course, please do consider making a small donation, or a commitment to volunteer your time, to the AIDS charity of your choice.