World Aids Day

Today is world AIDS day.  Worldwide, 40 million people are infected with HIV.  Of those, nearly 30million live in sub-Saharan Africa.  These figures are alarming, AIDS is called a "pandemic" for good reason.  In most countries the infection rate is increasing.  Every 60 seconds, five people in Africa die of AIDS, and 10 are infected with HIV.  AIDS has orphaned 11 million African children. That number is expected to jump to 20 million in the next four years.  More than 25 million people have died of AIDS since 1981.  Young people account for half of all new HIV infections worldwide - around 6000 become infected with HIV everyday.  There is still no cure for AIDS.  There is still no vaccine for AIDS.

But we can do something it!  We can step up and help stop the spread of HIV.  It starts with raising awareness of HIV/AIDS and challenging some of the myths and prejudices around this disease.  It continues by accepting that this is a social justice issue - AIDS is running wild through some of the world's poorest communities.   

Tearfund have a plan to stop the spread of HIV which includes helping woman get access to medicines and information that will prevent their babies being born with HIV.  Simple measures will prevent mother to baby transmission - two doses of medicine one for the mother before labour and one for the baby after birth and the chances of HIV passing through the blood are dramatically reduced.  One baby is born with HIV every minute of every day.  We can do something to help.

Other websites to check out - One Life Revolution   One Join Red (watch Bono's AIDS day video)  acet - AIDS Care Education & Training