World AIDS day is tomorrow, December 1. And this year it’s super important that we take notice – the facts are out that the HIV rate among young people is rising. We can guess what you’re probably thinking: ‘in 201
World AIDS day is tomorrow, December 1. And this year it’s super important that we take notice – the facts are out that the HIV rate among young people is rising. We can guess what you’re probably thinking: ‘in 2012?! How can this be?’ Part of the reason is that most states teach only abstinence for HIV prevention even though about 50% of high school students are sexually active. Are you HIV aware? Find out the facts about AIDS and World AIDS day.
- World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year and is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died.
- World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day and the first one was held in 1988.
- Officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say that the HIV infection rate is rising among young people ages 13-24.
- Health officials and AIDS workers attribute the rising infection rate to numerous factors: lack of education, unsafe sex practices, fewer people getting tested, less access to the healthcare system for some, and the stigma homosexuality still has in the minority community.
- Every month, 1,000 young Americans become infected with HIV.
- World AIDS Day is an opportunity for you to learn the facts about HIV.
- For the first time in history, the U.N. has said that there’s a chance to eradicate the disease, but only if new infections can be curbed.
Bring the frightening facts about HIV/AIDS to your school. GO