It’s been through a few image changes but it’s still the same red ribbon, signally an important mark and achievement for World AIDS Day. And with no surprise, World AIDS Day falls on 1st December this year.

What is surprising though perhaps is the figures that are published on the National AIDS Trust website, outlining the impact of HIV/AIDS in the UK and on a world-wide scale.

Four facts* on HIV/AIDS in the UK:

1. 63,500 people are living with HIV
2. One in three infections are undiagnosed
3. 7,450 new infections in 2004
4. Gay men and African communities are most at risk

Internationally, the figures* are equally shocking:

1. Over 40 million people living with HIV
2. Around 4.3 million new cases in 2006
3. Over 3 million deaths from AIDS in 2006
4. 60% of all HIV cases are in sub-Saharan Africa

World AIDS Day in the UK is co-ordinated by the National AIDS Trust. NAT is UK’s leading independent policy and campaigning voice on HIV and AIDS. Their aim is to prevent the spread of HIV, ensure people living with HIV have access to treatment and care, and eradicate HIV-related stigma and discrimination.

World AIDS Day has raised HIV/AIDS awareness and its profile dramatically throughout the years and the red ribbon continues to be the significant symbol highlighting the annual diary date. But research is still demonstrating that new HIV diagnoses are rising in the UK. The question is why?

As Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of the National AIDS Trust said:

“HIV is the most important sexual health issue facing the UK today and it is very worrying that new HIV diagnoses continue to be high among both gay and bisexual men and heterosexuals.

“It is vitally important that the Government increases its investment in sustained HIV prevention programmes. In particular, HIV testing should be made more widely available outside GU and antenatal clinics in order to reduce the high level of people living with HIV who are undiagnosed or diagnosed late. This must be coupled with initiatives to tackle stigma and educate the public about HIV as ignorance and discrimination can act as a barrier to people getting tested.”

This year’s campaign of “You, Me, Us” embraces the nature of the event. It is not just a personal matter – it is a national and global matter and it concerns everyone. Together we need to raise awareness of the issue, provide information and help to those who need it, and reduce discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS.

For further details, visit:

World AIDS Day – http://www.worldaidsday.org
National AIDS Trust – http://www.nat.org.uk

* Source: HIV statistics in the UK are compiled by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). These figures are published on the National AIDS Trust website (www.nat.org.uk).

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