2016 World Aids Day Awareness

World Aids Day was established in1988 by The World Health Organization (WHO). Every year on December 1st, this day is used to raise awareness on HIV/AIDS.

According to the CDC, “About 36.7 million people are living with HIV around the world, and as of June 2016, 17 million people living with HIV were receiving medicines to treat HIV. An estimated 1.1 million people died from AIDS-related illnesses in 2015.”

HIV/AIDS is something we first really learn about in grade school, but unfortunately that is usually where the education ends for most of us. We all know HIV/AIDS is out there but sometimes we forget the seriousness of the disease, especially when we aren’t directly affected by it.

There are more than 1.2 million people in the US living with HIV, and 1 in 8 of them don't know it. These are alarming statistics, but are they alarming enough to get you to get tested?

You should get tested at the minimum once a year, but every 3 to 6 months is ideal for those engaging in high risk activities.

 

HIV/AIDS awareness should be something that is frequently discussed within our educational system and within our social circles. There are so many walking around ignorant about the disease, and passing on the education could literally save a life. Fear may be the cause of a lot of people not really wanting to know their status but this is your health, this is your life. Getting tested regularly should be a thing, and if it isn't, make it one.

You can use the AIDS.GOV HIV Testing And Care Services Locator to find testing locations near you. You should know your status.