World Aids Day exists to fight against HIV, support those who are living with HIV/AIDS, and remember those who have died from it.
Just in time for World Aids Day, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) has released some alarming facts and figures about AIDS and HIV in the UK. There are currently over 91,000 British people living with HIV. Shockingly, it is estimated that approximately a quarter of them - some 21,000 people - are unaware that they have it.
Other figures released today by the HPA include:
- One in five visitors to an STI clinic refused an HIV test
- Two-thirds of people who died from HIV in 2010 were diagnosed late
- Over 6,600 new cases were diagnosed in 2010
What can you do to support World Aids Day?
Learn – Learn the facts about HIV and AIDS. UKfAR is a great place to look
Wear – Wear a red ribbon to show solidarity with those living with HIV and AIDS, and remember those who have died
Support – Raise and/or donate money to a local, national or international HIV charity to continue the fight to find a cure, or to help people who are affected.
Some great UK charities to support are:
UKfAR
Terrence Higgens Trust
National AIDS Trust
Do you want to make a change relating to sexual heath? Tell us you ideas and join the hundreds of students creating change.