World AIDS Day - December 01

 

World AIDS Day, observed on 1 December every year, is dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS Pandemic caused by the spread of HIV infection, and mourning those who have died of the disease.

World AIDS Day was first conceived in August 1987 by James W. Bunn and Thomas Netter, two public information officers for the Global Programme on AIDS at the World Health Organization (WHO)in Geneva, Switzerland.

 Government and health officials, non-governmental organizations and individuals around the world observe the day, often with education on AIDS prevention and control.

World AIDS Day is one of the eight official Global Public Health Campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO)

Each World AIDS Day campaign focuses on a specific theme, chosen following consultations with UNAIDS,WHO and a large number of grassroots, national and international agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. 

World AIDS Day Themes, 1988–present

1988	Communication
1989	Youth
1990	Women and AIDS
1991	Sharing the Challenge
1992	Community Commitment
1993	Act
1994	AIDS and the Family
1995	Shared Rights, Shared Responsibilities
1996	One World. One Hope.
1997	Children Living in a World with AIDS
1998	Force for Change: World AIDS Campaign With Young People
1999	Listen, Learn, Live: World AIDS Campaign with Children & Young People
2000	AIDS: Men Make a Difference
2001	I care. Do you?
2002	Stigma and Discrimination
2003	Stigma and Discrimination
2004	Women, Girls, HIV and AIDS
2005	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise
2006	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise – Accountability
2007	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise – Leadership
2008	Stop AIDS. Keep the Promise – Lead – Empower – Deliver
2009	Universal Access and Human Rights
2010	Universal Access and Human Rights
2011	Getting to Zero
2012	Getting to Zero
2013	Getting to Zero
2014	Getting to Zero

As of 2013, AIDS has killed more than 36 million people worldwide (1981-2012), and an estimated 35.3 million people are living with HIV,making it one of the most important Global Public Health issues in recorded in history