December 1st marks World AIDS Day, a day that first came about in 1988, draws attention to the issue of HIV and AIDS. It is a time where we support those affected by HIV and remember those who have passed away from this virus. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), since the onset of HIV, over 32 million people have died from AIDS-related illnesses. Fortunately, we have seen significant progress over time in addressing HIV both domestically and abroad.
The Ryan White Program, as an example, provides states and organizations like Caring Communities with vital funding so that we may help individuals living with HIV pay for things like life-saving medications, housing, and food to name a few. These services are critical to many people who might otherwise be unable to address such basic needs.
Globally, PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief) helps to prevent illness and death related to AIDS by investing critical dollars to fight this disease. So far, the United States has invested $100 billion in this effort which helped to save 25 million lives.
There are many resources available to anyone interested in learning more about HIV/AIDS and World AIDS Day. Below you will find several links to reputable sources that you might find helpful as you learn about this important topic:
https://hivinfo.nih.gov/understanding-hiv/hiv-aids-awareness-days/world-aids-day
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