Did you know that nearly 1.2 million people are living with HIV in the U.S. and globally an estimated 33.3 million people have HIV? Furthermore, when Americans think about HIV, they do not think of an older person’s face. But 15% of all new cases of HIV are occurring among people who are age 50 or older.
World AIDS Day, celebrated on December 1st, unites everyone worldwide in the fight against AIDS. The World Health Organization established World AIDS Day in 1988. The World AIDS Campaign is the leading international organization that plans events worldwide in honor of the observance.
World AIDS Day is an opportunity to help move towards the World AIDS campaign theme, “Working Together for an AIDS-Free Generation,” which refers to reaching zero new HIV infections, zero discrimination and zero AIDS related deaths. Public and private partners must work together to spread awareness and help educate others about the testing and prevention of HIV. One way to do this is spread the word that Medicare now covers HIV screening for people with Medicare of any age who ask for the test. The Administration on Aging has a webpage dedicated to older adults and HIV, and earlier this year released an HIV and aging educational toolkit and video.
Be sure to take action on World AIDS Day and throughout the year to promote awareness of HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS has a devastating impact on communities worldwide. For more information on the World AIDS campaign, visit its website: worldaidscampaign.org.
Ways to Take Action in Your Community
If you’re not sure what you can do on World AIDS Day to show support for people with HIV and promote public awareness of HIV/AIDS, the following are a few action ideas:
- Post on Facebook and Twitter that Dec. 1st is World AIDS Day and link to information on HIV/AIDS, the importance of getting tested and how a person can locate an HIV testing center in their area. Check www.Aids.gov and www.worldaidscampaign.org for resources (such as data, factsheets and posters) that you can share with friends and colleagues.
- Share photos and messages on the Facing AIDS Photo Gallery hosted by AIDS.gov. AIDS.gov created this gallery so people can put their faces on AIDS and help reduce the stigma around HIV and promote HIV testing.
- Post the HIV/AIDS Prevention & Service Providers Locator to your website and/or blog.
- Read the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and discuss it with your friends and family.