World AIDS Day denotes the unity in awareness on the 1st of December every year against HIV. It shows support towards those who live with HIV and commemorates those who have unfortunately passed away due to an AIDS-related illness. It is one of the official global public health campaigns by World Health Organization (WHO). They have seven more such campaigns which include World Health Day, World Blood Donor Day, World Immunization Week, World Tuberculosis Day, World No Tobacco Day, World Malaria Day and World Hepatitis Day. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day to be observed.

HIV, or the human immunodeficiency virus, causes AIDS and interferes with the body’s ability to fight infection by affecting the immunity system. As of 2013, it has killed more than 36 million people worldwide from 1981-2012, and an estimate of 35.5 million people at present live with HIV. India itself has around 1 million cases every year. These stats itself make it one of the leading concerns regarding public health recorded in history.

In recent times there has been improved access to antiretroviral treatment in many parts of the world. Yet, the AIDS epidemic claims too many victims each year. HIV spreads through blood, semen, pre-seminal fluids, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids and even breast milk. Getting one tested for sexually transmitted diseases, restricting the number of sexual partners, using clean syringes and using protection while sex is few of the preliminary steps to prevent the spread of AIDS. Mother to child transmission of HIV is also possible during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding. HIV is not transmitted through casual contact with others.

World AIDS Day is an opportunity to show solidarity with the millions of people who live with HIV worldwide. The red ribbon is used to denote one’s support by wearing it on this day. It is internationally recognized as the symbol around the struggle around HIV and AIDS. The Red Ribbon Project was formed by a charity group named Visual AIDS in 1991. They chose the colour red as it shows a connection with blood and to the idea of passion. It symbolizes care and concern for those affected, hopes to find a cure and eradicate HIV once and for all, and primarily to show support. Wearing this ribbon would not only be a tribute to the lost lives and ongoing battles, but it would be a reassurance that those wearing it would spread awareness about AIDS and talk about it to others as well. 

All the support and awareness around this important health issue is not only restricted to one day of the year. December 1st is officially the day to commemorate all but only if we are responsible enough to spread the word of awareness throughout the year will people know of how to prevent and protect themselves.