WORLD AIDS Day was first established by the World Health Organisation in December, 1988.

It is an initiative of the organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the AIDS pandemic caused by the spread of the HIV infection. World AIDS Day is an international event observed on December 1st annually providing governments, national AIDS programmes, faith organisations, community organisations, and individuals with an opportunity to raise awareness and focus attention on the global AIDS pandemic.

The Red Ribbon used is the global symbol for solidarity with HIV-positive people and those living with AIDS.

UNAIDS over the years has spearheaded the World AIDS Day campaign, choosing annual themes in consultation with other global health organisations. However, as of 2008, each year’s World AIDS Day theme is chosen by the World AIDS Campaign’s Global Steering Committee after extensive consultation with people, organisations and government agencies involved in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS. The theme for this year’s campaign is ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’.

This theme is designed to encourage political leaders to keep their commitment in achieving universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment, care, and support.

The AIDS pandemic has killed more than 25 million people worldwide between 1981 and 2007. An estimated 33.2 million people worldwide as of 2007 are living with HIV making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. Despite recent improved access to antiretroviral treatment and care in many regions of the world, the AIDS epidemic claimed an estimated two million lives in 2007, of which about 270,000 were children.

One of the region’s most affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic is right here at home in the Caribbean. At the end of 2008, an estimated 240,000 people were living with HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean. Some 20,000 people were newly infected during the same year and there were 12,000 deaths due to AIDS.

In two countries in the region namely The Bahamas and Haiti, more than two per cent of the adult population is living with HIV. Higher prevalence rates are found only in sub-Saharan Africa, making the Caribbean the second-most affected region in the world. A more startling fact is that half the adults living with the virus are women.

Overall, the main route of HIV transmission in the Caribbean is through sexual intercourse. Much of this transmission is associated with commercial sex, but the virus is also spreading in the general population. Cultural and behavioural patterns (such as early initiation of sexual acts, and taboos related to sex and sexuality), gender inequalities, lack of confidentiality, stigmatisation and economic need are some of the factors influencing vulnerability to HIV and AIDS in the Caribbean.

As a result, AIDS is now one of the leading causes of death in some of these countries, with Haiti being the worst affected. An estimated 7,500 lives are lost each year leaving thousands of children orphaned.

Take Action

The AIDS pandemic is one that cannot be ignored and as such, we as teenagers need to respond to it and take some initiative to promote awareness and proper health practices in society. There are many ways you can take action in response to HIV/AIDS; these include:

* Get tested for HIV.

* Practice safer methods to prevent HIV.

* Decide not to engage in high risk behaviours.

* Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues.

* Provide support to people living with HIV/AIDS.

* Get involved with or host an event for World AIDS Day in your community.