World AIDS Day takes place on 1 December each year. It's an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illnesses. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.
Over 105,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally there an estimated 38million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35million people have died of AIDS or HIV related illnesses, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.
Today scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and AIDS, and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year in the UK over 4,139 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remains a reality for many people living with the condition.
World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away - there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.
For further information visit https://worldaidsday.org/ or https://fasttrack.wales/