World Aids Day 2017
Posted on 01 Dec 2017
December 1st is World Aids Day and its aim is to make people aware of the impact the AIDS pandemic is having on millions of people around the world.
| HIV is a virus | AIDS is a condition |
|---|---|
| The virus then leads to a condition. It stands for human immunodeficiency virus. | If you’re infected with HIV it can lead to AIDS, which stands for acquired immunodeficiency virus. |
HIV Stats
- In 2016, there were 36.7 million people living with HIV. This figure included 2.1 million children <15 years old.
- 32% of people do not know that they have the virus.
- Since the beginning of the pandemic, 35 million people have died from AIDs-related illnesses.
- In 2016 alone, 1 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses.
HIV by Region
Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)
ART are medications used to treat HIV. They will not kill the virus but can prevent its growth.
- In 2016, only 53% of people living with HIV had access to antiretroviral therapy. This means that there are millions who do not access to the treatment.
Progress
- Unfortunately, it is the low and middle-income countries(LMIC) who struggle the most to access treatment, but progress is being made with 70% of LMIC countries already adopting a ‘Treat All’ policy.
How you can help
- The National Aids Trust is an amazing charity in the UK and the work they do deserves to be supported. You can help fight AIDs in the UK and around the world by donating a small amount to the cause.
