World AIDS Day is a global initiative to raise awareness, fight prejudice, and improve education about HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. World AIDS Day is December 1.
Around the world, about 37 million people are living with HIV. In the United States, about 38,500 people get infected with HIV every year.
The only way to know if you have HIV is to get tested. It’s important that everyone ages 15 to 65 gets tested for HIV at least once. Some people may need to get tested more often.
How can World AIDS Day make a difference?
We can use this day and this month, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS. Let’s encourage people to get tested, and take action to support people living with HIV.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Encourage people to get tested for HIV. Let them know that some health clinics offer free HIV testing.
- Talk to parents about teaching their kids the basics of safe sex.
- Wear a red ribbon, the symbol of HIV awareness and support. Tell people why you are wearing it. You can order a red ribbon online — or make your own.
Find More Information
- World AIDS Day Campaign
World AIDS Day Sponsor - HIV.gov
Department of Health and Human Services - Event Planning Guide
Department of Health and Human Services - HIV/AIDS Basic Facts
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Living with HIV/AIDS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Women’s Health: HIV/AIDS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - HIV, AIDS, and Older People
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging - HIV/AIDS Information and Research
National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - Drugs + HIV > Learn the Link
National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Drug Abuse - Act Against AIDS
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Information is from HealthFinder.gov and Maryland.gov
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)