English: World AIDS Day Ribbon (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
WORLD AIDS DAY is observed annually on December 1. It has become one of the most recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have passed on, and celebrate victories, such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. This year’s theme is GETTING TO ZERO.
People living with HIV
In 2012, there were 35.3 million living with HIV. Since the start of the epidemic around 75 million have become infected with HIV.
New HIV infections
New HIV infections have fallen by 33% since 2001. Worldwide, 2.3 million people became newly infected with HIV in 2012, down from 3.4 million in 2001.
New HIV infections among adults and adolescents decreased by 50% or more in 26 countries between 2001 and 2012. New HIV infections among children have declined by 52% since 2001.
Worldwide, 260 000 children became newly infected with HIV in 2012, down from 550 000 in 2001.
AIDS-related deaths
AIDS-related deaths have fallen by 30% since the peak in 2005. In 2012, 1.6 million people died from AIDS-related causes worldwide compared to 2.3 million in 2005.
Since the start of the epidemic an estimated 36 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses.
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