Raising Awareness for World Aids Day


Yesterday, December 1st 2010 was World Aids Day.  World Aids Day, which has been running for 22 years, is about raising awareness, improving education and getting rid of prejudice.  The theme for this year is "Universal Access and Human Rights" and is essential for reminding people that HIV is still very much in existence and that there are many things still to be done.



The Facts
Currently in the UK more people than ever are living with HIV and every year new infections occur.
Figures from UNAIDS reveal that over the past ten years people living with HIV has trebled in the UK.  There are more than 90,000 people who have HIV, of which two thirds are men and one third are women.  Over a quarter of people with HIV in the UK are undiagnosed.  Globally the picture is the same, with HIV cases rising each year.  There is an estimated 33.3 million people living with HIV worldwide, including 2.5 million children.  Last year, statistics indicated that 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and around 1.8 million people died from AIDS.


Consequently, leaders around the world have pledged to work towards universal access to HIV and AIDS treatment, prevention and care and these are now perceived as fundamental human rights.  It is believed that by promoting individual human rights, new infections can be prevented and people who have HIV can live free of discrimination.  


In raising awareness about sexually transmitted infections, the RSPH are running a introductory course on Sexual Health and Young people.  The one day event will consider issues related to the sexual health needs of young people, as well as equipping participants with the knowledge of sexually transmitted infections and how best to incorporate talking about sex and relationships into everyday working practice.

For further information on the one day course click here  or contact Nicolette Smith

For further information on World Aids Day click here