Why Understanding World AIDS Day Is Important

I almost didn’t write a blog about World AIDS Day…knowing that too many people would pass it over. Uninterested because it's a been there, done that topic.

Perhaps it's because there's just too many designated days, or too many good causes to keep track of. Perhaps it's because HIV/ AIDS has been around for over thirty years and has become just another major illness in the long list of other major illnesses.

No surprise then that World's HIV/AIDS day will come and go on December 1st. Other than the sex educators and HIV/AIDS advocates, not too many people will take notice.

The bad news? The number of people living with HIV worldwide rose from around 8 million in 1990, to a staggering 33 million by the end of 2009.

The good news? The overall growth of the epidemic has stabilized in recent years. The annual number of new HIV infections has steadily declined and due to the significant increase in people receiving antiretroviral therapy, the number of AIDS-related deaths has also declined.

The bad news? The only real solution is education. Not ironically, there’s a direct (and distressing) correlation between where education is difficult to access and where this disease is epidemic. With around 68 percent of all people living with HIV residing in sub-Saharan Africa, the region carries the greatest burden of the epidemic.

I won't get into the politics and the financial strain this causes world nations—because, I believe, most people would simply zone out.

So, yes, we've all got our good causes; and it's difficult, if not impossible, to support everything.

Lest we forget those 33 million people (plus) living and dealing with HIV/ AIDS today.

You can help them by learning more and donating today at WorldAidsDay.org.