It’s World AIDS Day, and this year’s theme is “Stop AIDS: Keep the Promise.” Yes, the odds of living with AIDS are improving, but the war hasn’t been won yet. According to UNAIDS/WHO:
- More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.
- Africa has 12 million AIDS orphans.
- By December 2005 women accounted for 46% of all adults living with HIV worldwide, and for 57% in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Young people (15-24 years old) account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide – more than 6,000 become infected with HIV every day.
- Of the 6.5 million people in developing and transitional countries who need life-saving AIDS drugs, only 1 million are receiving them.
For a list of World AIDS Day events around the world, see the World AIDS Campaign site. Local AIDS organizations (such as GMHC in the New York area) may also have more specific listings. Attend. Contribute. Care.
