National AIDS Awareness Day!

Today is National AIDS Awareness Day, but to many of us its a Monday. It's true we are the selfish generation. Unless we know someone who has AIDS or are personally affected we tend to remain oblivious to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS. However HIV/AIDS greatly affects our generation, our communities, and world.  There are more people diagnosed and living with AIDS now than any other time. 

If you are unaware here are some global statistics for you:

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO),  there were approximately 35 million people worldwide living with HIV/AIDS in 2013. Of these, 3.2 million were children (<15 years old)

• According to WHO,  an estimated 2.1 million individuals worldwide became newly infected with HIV in 2013.  This includes over 240,000 children (<15 years). Most of these children live in sub-Saharan Africa and were infected by their HIV-positive mothers during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

• A UNAIDS report  shows that 19 million of the 35 million people living with HIV today do not know that they have the virus.

• The vast majority of people living with HIV are in low- and middle-income countries. According to WHO,  sub-Saharan Africa is the most affected region, with 24.7 million people living with HIV in 2013. Seventy-one percent of all people who are living with HIV in the world live in this region.

• HIV is the world’s leading infectious killer. According to WHO,  an estimated 39 million people have died since the first cases were reported in 1981 and 1.5 million people died of AIDS-related causes in 2013.

Even today, despite advances in our scientific understanding of HIV and its prevention and treatment as well as years of significant effort by the global health community and leading government and civil society organizations, most people living with HIV or at risk for HIV do not have access to prevention, care, and treatment, and there is still no cure. However, effective treatment with anti-retroviral drugs can control the virus so that people with HIV can enjoy healthy lives and reduce the risk of transmitting the virus to others.

Here are some statistics from your own back yard: 

• More than 1.2 million people in the United States are living with HIV infection, and almost 1 in 7 (14%) are unaware of their infection.

• Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSMa), particularly young black/African American MSM, are most seriously affected by HIV.

• By race, blacks/African Americans face the most severe burden of HIV.

Now today could be just a regular Monday for you or you could choose to spread awareness for a virus that is great affecting our world. Nat.org.uk is selling and auctioning original ribbons designed by Shaun Leane and Lulu Guinness. I chose to show my support by wearing a watch, buts it's not just a watch. 

1: Face watch company is a fashionable watch company with an amazing cause. Each watch they sell goes towards a specific cause.  I am the proud owner of the watch that supports the movement against the AIDS epidemic. I believe that one person can make a difference. If you have hard time imagining what a watch can do to make such a impact, think of it like this. 7 out of 10 children go without AIDS treatment. Children who will have to endure such a devastating virus for the their lives. My simple red watch provides 4 of those 10 children with the AIDS treatment that they desperately need. 

1 watch = Aids treatment for 4 children

http://www.1face.com/

Now, I realize that my contribution is small but I am proud to say that I am aware. I may not have AIDS but it still affects my community. It is my duty to do what I can. So my challenge to you is to make yourself aware. Support the movement again the HIV/AIDS.  

References 

1.HIVaware.org.uk - Facts & Myths - HIV statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from http://www.hivaware.org.uk/facts-myths/hiv-statistics.php

2. U.S. Statistics. (2012, June 6). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from http://aids.gov/hiv-aids-basics/hiv-aids-101/statistics/#foota

3.HIVaware.org.uk - Facts & Myths - HIV statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved December 1, 2014, from http://www.hivaware.org.uk/facts-myths/hiv-statistics.php