World AIDS Day- December 1, 2018–  World AIDS Day is a day for all of us worldwide to unite and fight against HIV, to support those living with HIV and to remember those who have died from AIDS.  World AIDS Day was founded in 1988 and was the first ever “global” health day.  Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations, and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

Over 101,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Worldwide, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history. Thanks to recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many regions of the world, the death rate from AIDS epidemic has decreased since its peak in 2005 (1 million in 2016, compared to 1.9 million in 2005).  Sub-Saharan Africa is the region most affected. In 2010, an estimated 68% (22.9 million) of all HIV cases and 66% of all deaths (1.2 million) occurred in this region.   South Africa has the largest population of people with HIV of any country in the world, at 7.06;million.as of 2017. 

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show mutual support with the millions of people living with HIV worldwide. Most people do this by wearing an HIV awareness red ribbon on the day.

For each World AIDS Day from 2005 through 2010, the theme was “Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise”, designed to encourage political leaders to keep their commitment to achieving universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support by the year 2010.

As of 2012, the multi-year theme for World AIDS Day is “Getting to Zero: Zero new HIV infections. Zero deaths from the AIDS-related illness. Zero discrimination. “The US Federal theme for the year 2014 is “Focus, Partner, Achieve: An AIDS-Free Generation“.

The federal theme for the 2018 observance is “Saving Lives through Leadership and Partnerships”.

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