World AIDS Day
Started on 1st December 1988 by the World Health Organization , World AIDS Day is about raising money, increasing awareness, fighting prejudice and improving education on the issue of the AIDS pandemic caused by the HIV infection. Observed on December 1st each year, the World AIDS Campaign is the leading international organization which plans and implements the observance and provides governments, national AIDS programs, faith organizations, community organizations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS pandemic. The Red Ribbon used is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.
The World AIDS Day theme for 2010 is 'Universal Access and Human Rights'. This theme is designed to encourage political leaders to keep their commitment to achieve universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support, recognising these as fundamental human rights. World AIDS Day is important for reminding people that HIV has not gone away, and that there are many things still to be done.
According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2009 some 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS. Despite recent, improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated 2 million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children. The vast majority of people with HIV and AIDS live in lower- and middle-income countries. But HIV today is a threat to men, women and children on all continents around the world. In low- and middle-income countries, less than half of those in need of antiretroviral therapy are receiving it, and too many do not have access to adequate care services.
One of the regions of the world that is most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic is the Caribbean. At the end of 2008, an estimated 240,000 people were living with HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean. Some 20,000 people were newly infected during 2008, and there were 12,000 deaths due to AIDS.
In two countries in this region - the Bahamas and Haiti - more than 2% of the adult population is living with HIV. Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa, making the Caribbean the second-most affected region in the world. Half of adults living with the virus are women.
Overall, the main route of HIV transmission in the Caribbean is through sexual intercourse. Much of this transmission is associated with commercial sex, but the virus is also spreading in the general population. Cultural and behavioural patterns (such as early initiation of sexual acts, and taboos related to sex and sexuality), gender inequalities, lack of confidentiality, stigmatization and economic need are some of the factors influencing vulnerability to HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean. As a result, AIDS is now one of the leading causes of death in some of these countries, with Haiti being the worst affected. An estimated 7,500 lives are lost each year to AIDS in Haiti, and thousands of children have been orphaned by the epidemic.
Estimated HIV/AIDS prevalence and deaths in the Caribbean, 2007
| Population, 2008 | 41,000,000 |
| People living with HIV/AIDS, 2007 | 230,000 |
| Women (aged 15+) with HIV/AIDS, 2007 | 110,000 |
| Children with HIV/AIDS, 2007 | 11,000 |
| Adults and children newly infected with HIV | 17,000 |
| Adult HIV prevalence (%), 2007 | 1.1 |
| AIDS deaths, 2007 | 14,000 |
* Statistics from UNAIDS
Estimated HIV/AIDS prevalence and deaths in the Caribbean, 2007
| Country | Estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS (Adults and Children) |
| Bahamas | 6,200 |
| Barbados | 2,200 |
| Cuba | 6,200 |
| Dominican Republic | 62, 000 |
| Haiti | 120, 000 |
| Jamaica | 27, 000 |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 14, 000 |
* Statistics from UNAIDS
Take Action
The AIDS pandemic is one that cannot be ignored and as such, we as teenagers need to respond to it and take some initiative to promote awareness and proper health practices in society. There are many ways you can take action in response to HIV/AIDS; these include:
o get tested for HIV
o practice safer methods to prevent HIV
o decide not to engage in high risk behaviours
o talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues
o provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS
o get involved with or host an event for World AIDS Day in your community
Sources:
http://www.avert.org/caribbean.htm
http://www.hhs.gov/aidsawarenessdays/days/world/
http://www.worldaidscampaign.org
http://hivinsite.ucsf.edu/global?page=cr02-00-00
http://data.unaids.org/pub/GlobalReport/2008/jc1510_2008_global_report_pp211_234_en.pdf
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