World AIDS Day is on Thursday, 1st December 2023. World Health Organization (WHO) established the day in 1988 to facilitate the exchange of information among people about this infectious disease around the globe. About 180 world countries now celebrate this day to express their concern about AIDS.
Theme of World AIDS Day
“Putting Ourselves to the Test: Achieving Equity to End HIV” is the theme of World AIDS Day 2022. This theme emphasizes accountability and action that should encourage us to urgently tackle the inequalities among the masses combating this disease. The existence of discrimination is the main obstacle to HIV testing and treatment and this day puts humanity on a test to fulfil the equal demands of every individual involved in this preventive process. The idea also explores that inequities which are perpetuating the AIDS pandemic are not inaccessible; we can address them. Therefore, the slogan “Equalize” calls for immediate action for the eradication of unfairness before ending HIV itself.
History of World AIDS Day
The world observed the first-ever health day on the 1st of December 1988. The observance of this day was conceived to make the most of the media gap between the U.S. presidential elections of 1988 and Christmas. Broadcast journalist James Bunn and his colleague Thomas Netter assessed December 1 as the ideal date for the observance and spent the following 16 months planning and executing the initial event.
The first theme of the day was on children and youth to create greater awareness amongst the target age bracket and address the impacts of AIDS on their lives and their families.
From 1996 onwards, the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS took over the observance of World AIDS Day and expanded the campaign to an annual education and prevention campaign.
Why do We observe World AIDS Day?
We celebrate this day to support 38 million people living with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and to remember those who have lost their lives to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome). This day is an opportunity for people and private partners to raise awareness about the status of the epidemic and encourage improvement in HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment throughout the world.
How to Celebrate the Day
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Buy a red ribbon
You can celebrate world aids day by wearing a red ribbon. The red ribbon shows awareness and support for people affected worldwide by HIV.
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Participate in activities
Many awareness-raising activities take place globally. You can participate in them to increase your knowledge and further spread it to others.
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Donate to charity
Check online the organizations that need support and donation for treating AIDS patients.
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Attend a candlelight vigil
Many cities in the U.S. host candlelight vigils on this day. Check online for your nearby vigil and participate to show your support.
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Get Tested
You must go for an HIV test to cure it on time as the initial stage of HIV means that you can treat your disease and live your life again as a normal healthy person.
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Spend the day with AIDS patients
You can commit to a meeting on this day with AIDS patients to encourage and support them by applying all necessary precautions.
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Observe the day through social media
You can support AIDS patients through social media. You can also share informative and factual content about AIDS/HIV on social media to raise awareness for the prevention of the disease.
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Share your experience of the day.
Please share your experience of observance of the day on social media to ensure that the idea could be in front of people’s minds and demonstrate your support.
Importance of the Day
This day reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away. There is still a need to raise money, increase awareness, improve education, and fight prejudice. So, celebrating this day is a key opportunity to raise awareness, remember those who have passed, and celebrate victories, such as improved access to prevention and treatment services.
Facts About AIDS
- HIV originated from viruses in monkeys and chimpanzees.
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that 1 in 5 people living in the U.S. does not know that they have HIV.
- 4 million [33.9 million–43.8 million] people globally were living with HIV in 2021.
- HIV does not show any symptoms for years as the person feels absolutely fine, but the transmission of infection is still possible during this time.
- 3 million children were living with HIV by the end of 2011.
- There is no vaccine to prevent HIV.
- HIV cannot be cured.
- New cases of HIV are most prevalent in minority groups. And the main reason is poverty, lack of awareness and education and stigma.
- Approximately 1.2 million people in the U.S. have HIV.
- At the end of 2021, US$ 21.4 billion was available for the AIDS response in the low- and middle-income countries—around 60% was from domestic sources.
- Adult HIV Prevalence has reached 1 in 20 people, and 1.2 million people die of HIV/AIDS each year in Sub-Saharan Africa.
But what about after World AIDS Day?
The day comes once a year, but it does not mean that your support is for only one day. You can support the people affected by HIV all around the year.
Slogans of World Aids Day
- “Hate the disease, but not the diseased!”
- “Prevention is better than cure, but what about AIDS which has no cure.”
- “AIDS doesn’t spread from physical touch but from unsafe sex; the former is safe, but the latter is complex.”
- “Say NO to AIDS.”
- “AIDS: Prevention is the only cure.”
- “AIDS, the gift that keeps on giving.”
- “Let’s find a way to take AIDS away.”
- “End the Dread… Stop the Spread.”
- “AIDS can’t be cured with BAND AIDS.”
- “Ignorance is not a bliss.”
- “Until we are all safe, no one is safe.”
- “A single partner is like a quick shot of whisky; moving on to another makes life risky.”
- “Be friendly very much as they need your emotional touch.”
- “If you have ever crossed the line; get a checkup to know if everything is fine.”
- “The HIV virus needs an entry point to get inside your body; you just have to safeguard those entrances.”
- “Avoid unsafe sex and get married; else you might end up in a mortuary.”
- “A few minutes of satisfaction is not worth a lifetime of medication.”
- “Every new technology should reach each and every one who needs it without delay.”
Quotes of World Aids Day
- Elizabeth Taylor quoted “It is bad enough that people are dying of Aids, but no one should die of ignorance.”
- “AIDS today is not a death sentence. It can be treated as a chronic illness, or a chronic disease.” — Yusuf Hamied.
- Princess Diana said, “HIV does not make people dangerous to know, so you can shake their hands and give them a hug: Heaven knows they need it.”
- “I know one man who was impotent who gave AIDS to his wife and the only thing they did was a kiss.” — Pat Robertson.
- Magic Johnson quoted “You can’t get AIDS from a hug or a handshake or a meal with a friend.”
- “Give a child love, laughter and peace-not AIDS.” — Nelson Mandela.