World AIDS Day

Here is the article I told you about today in class: Wal-mart and Death?

Now, keep the events of the article in mind and put the following information into perspective.

The 1st of December, World AIDS Day, is the day when individuals and organisations from around the world come together to bring attention to the global AIDS epidemic. 2008 marks the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. While we have come a long ways since 1988, there is still much more to be done. The theme of World AIDS day is to Lead, Empower, and Deliver.

Did you know:

INTERNATIONAL STATISTICS*:

People living with HIV:
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

HIV BY REGION:

Sub-Saharan Africa
22 million adults and children living with HIV
1.9 million adults and children newly infected with HIV
5 % adult prevalence
1.5 million adult and child deaths due to AIDS

South and South-East Asia
4.2 million adults and children living with HIV
330,000 million adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.3% adult prevalence
340,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

East Asia
740,000 adults and children living with HIV
51,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.1% adult prevalence
40,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

Eastern Europe and Central Asia
1.5 million adults and children living with HIV
110,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.8% adult prevalence
58,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

Caribbean
230,000 adults and children living with HIV
20,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
1.1% adult prevalence
14,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

Latin America
1.7 million adults and children living with HIV
110,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.5% adult prevalence
63,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

North America
1.2 million adults and children living with HIV
54,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.6% adult prevalence
23,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

Western and Central Europe
730,000 adults and children living with HIV
27,000 adults and children newly infected with HIV
0.3% adult prevalence
8,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

Middle East and North Africa
380,000 adults and children living with HIV
40,000 adults and children newly infected
0.3% adult prevalence
27,000 adult and child deaths due to AIDS

*All figures from UNAIDS.

The statistics above are based on documented cases, but what about the ones who don't know?If you are sexually active, please get tested. I encourage you to learn, educate yourself and others. If you can become part of this movement, do so! LEAD, EMPOWER, DELIVER!

~Ms. G